Open Bow
A sociable forward terrace, a generous interior and a strong connection with the water.
Discover Open Bow →Choosing a builder
Narrowboat Builders UK
Oakums designs and builds contemporary new narrowboats in Britain, combining established hull-building experience with considered interiors, practical systems and a clear route from consultation to handover.
Choose by what can be proved
Begin with evidence, not a showroom promise.
A narrowboat is a home, a vehicle and a collection of technical systems. The builder must coordinate the hull, layout, propulsion, energy, plumbing, heating, cabinetry, finishes and documentation as one complete boat.
Oakums has completed more than 50 boats. Buyers can explore previous commissions, understand the materials used and discuss the build process before choosing a range or agreeing a specification.
One coordinated commission
Specialists working as one team.
Each stage should support the stage that follows, from the first hull drawing to the final handover.
01
Consultation
Define how the boat will be used, the budget, preferred length, cruising plans and propulsion.
02
Design
Develop the layout, sightlines, storage, lighting, systems and finishes before construction decisions become expensive.
03
Construction
Oakums hulls are built by J. Wilson in Sheffield, then coordinated through engineering and fit-out.
04
Handover
Complete testing, orientation and the agreed documentation before the owner begins cruising.
Materials and systems
Built for a working marine environment.
Oakums uses marine plywood rather than MDF or chipboard. Diesel and electric propulsion, solar generation, lithium storage, charging and onboard demand are considered as connected choices rather than isolated upgrades.
The visible finish matters, but durability, service access, clear documentation and the way systems behave in daily use matter just as much.
The Oakums Collection
Three starting points.
Choose the range that best fits the way you want to use the waterways, then develop the specification around your priorities.
Closed Bow
Protected year round living with more internal space for longer stays and life aboard.
Discover Closed Bow →
Bowless
A compact design that uses its length for living space without losing Oakums character.
Discover Bowless →Compare honestly
Know what is included before comparing prices.
Ask who builds the hull, which materials are used, how changes are recorded, what testing and documentation are supplied, which items are optional and how aftercare is handled.
A useful quotation should be based on a written specification. A low headline price cannot be compared fairly with a more complete boat unless the inclusions, allowances and exclusions are understood.
Make the first conversation count
Bring the life you want, not a finished technical brief.
Start with the number of people aboard, the waterways you hope to explore, how long you expect to stay, the equipment that matters and the budget you want Oakums to respect. Those decisions make it possible to recommend a useful range and propulsion route.
You do not need to arrive knowing every product or engineering term. Oakums can explain the options, their compromises and their effect on the written specification before you commit.
Start your Oakums
Discuss your new narrowboat with Oakums.
Tell us how you want to use the boat, your preferred range, propulsion and comfortable budget. Oakums can explain the current route to ownership and what happens next.