Boat Build

Your Project

Quality is a word that is so easily used but one that we take very seriously. ‘Quality & Craft’ is our ethos, which blankets the whole business without compromise. A none budget led promise of care and attention to all of our clients.

We approached every new project and client with fresh eyes and a fresh sheet of paper. We know that for most, the dream of a bespoke boat is a long awaited one, full of excitement and ambition. It is our pleasure to share in this ambition, putting all of our efforts into designing and building the perfect boat to realise our clients dreams.

Of course not everybody commissions a bespoke boat, some client choose instead to purchase from our Sail Away Range. With a sail away all of the key design decisions have been tried and tested by us including budgets and costing, enabling us to balance value and affordability. There are only a few decisions to be made regarding boat length, layout and finishing’s. Offering a considerately designed, beautiful boat, giving the client a relaxed building experience.

The Design Process

The most important person in this process is you and so we make sure to involve you at every stage. From your boat being uniquely designed by our designer, to our carpenters creating samples of any unique element, stage visits and weekly blog posts of your project.

Our designer and project manager spends time individually designing each boat around you and your needs. Your style, your lifestyle and of course your budget, making every effort to reach the best design to match all of these considerations. The designer produces hand drawn sketches, mood boards and colour swatches in order to give you a full picture of the build at the preliminary stages. 

Once the design has been agreed the hull will be commissioned with Tyler Wilson Boat Builders, iconic hull craftsmen. If we were to break down the build schedule it would be approximately 6 to 8 weeks for the hull, 10 to 12 weeks for the internal build and 2 weeks for the external painting. Giving a complete build schedule of about 20 weeks from start to finish.  Within this time you will be offered 4 stage visits, the first once the hull has been delivered to us, up to two during the internal build and then the final one on the day the boat if craned into the water. 
If you would like to make an appointment to have a look at our lastest boat and workshop we would be more than happy to meet you. Your initial appointment is quite informal, we will show you around, discuss your ideas and provide you with some approximate prices. Following that initial appointment if you are happy to progress and buy a boat from Yorkshire Narrowboats we would request a £1000 deposit to secure your build slot and start the design process. You will then be invited to a more formal appointment where we will sit down with you and discuss your requirements and budget.

We then operate a paying schedule of staged payments, depending on the work completed, of 10%, 35%, 35%, 15% and the final 5% on completion. These payments all coincide with the stage visits during the build, apart from the first 10% which will be invoice once the design is agreed and signed off.

All new boat sales come with a 12 month warranty on part, plus we offer 2 free services to follow at 6 months and 12 months.

The Team, British Talent

We truly believe that our team is second to none. Every individual that works at Yorkshire Narrowboats is dedicated to the canal and has many years of experience in their own fields. 

Our team comprises of talent individuals committed to the projects they work on, putting their own love and passion into every boat. Comprising of a designer/project manager, carpenters, plumbers & engineers we can create, design and build anything and everything. From the highest spec contemporary design to a more traditional narrowboat. We pride ourselves on being able to create a solution for almost any design idea and execute it with precision using our combined knowledge and backgrounds.

Graham, Justin and Mark are our fitters, they have built hundreds of boat over the years and between them there is nothing they don’t know about boat building.

Louis & Joshua Boat Builders
We have resurrecting what was Louis & Joshua Boat Builders. Louis & Joshua had a great reputation and a big following, but unfortunately had to close their doors. With permission from the previous owners we are now using their workshop and have created an outstanding team from their previous builders. Our first narrowboat is now on the water and we would like to celebrate the resurrection of this previously iconic boat builders. Our boats bring with them the quality and craftsmanship of experience and the youth and contemporary talent of engineering and designer background.

Keeping it Local
The majority of the people we work with are small local businesses. We are committed to keeping these talented companies alive, not only is it good for our souls but also great for you and your boat. We find that by keeping it local you get a uniqueness and quality that cannot be matched by the alternative. While reducing the carbon footprint of our builds.

LATEST SHOW BOAT

Specification:

˜ 58’ Semi Traditional Cruiser Stern

˜ Tyler Wilson Hull - Josher Style

˜ Barrus Shire 1140B Engine

˜ Oak paneling and furniture

˜ L-shaped dinette with rotating table

˜ Shaker style, granite topped, integrated kitchen

˜ LED under gunnel lighting

˜ Corner Bubble stove

˜ Free standing single sofa beds