Space
Move through the boat
See how a compact layout feels during real mornings, meals and evenings.
Oakums and Synewave
Try before you buy.
Live aboard an Oakums built Bowless narrowboat, experience the craftsmanship for yourself and discover how life on the water could feel.
Experience before commission
More than a viewing.
A private viewing shows the finish. A holiday shows how the layout, storage, galley, lighting and living spaces work from morning to night.
Synewave welcomes guests aboard an Oakums Bowless boat. Enjoy time on the waterways while discovering which details matter most for your own commission.
How it works
Holiday first. Your boat next.
Book through Synewave, experience an Oakums-built boat and, if you then commission your own Oakums narrowboat, Oakums will reimburse your holiday cost in full towards your build, subject to terms and conditions.
01
Book
Choose your luxury canal holiday directly with Synewave.
02
Experience
Live aboard an Oakums-built boat and discover what works for you.
03
Commission
Plan your own Oakums layout, specification and propulsion with Oakums.
04
Reimbursement
Your holiday cost is reimbursed in full towards your Oakums build, subject to terms and conditions.
Use the experience well
Turn a holiday into useful research.
Notice the details that are difficult to judge from plans or photographs alone.
Power
Experience electric cruising
Understand the quieter character of electric propulsion on the water.
Priorities
Build your own brief
Record what you would keep, change or specify differently in your own Oakums.
Luxury without the uncertainty
Choose the level of help you want.
Synewave offers choices for experienced boaters, first-time guests and people who would prefer practical support along the way.
Skippered options
Relax into the journey
Choose skipper support for all or part of the holiday and enjoy the waterways with experienced help.
Practical help
Support where it matters
Available services include personal concierge and crew assistance, route planning and help at locks.
Flexible holiday
Make it your own
Explore options including one-way navigation and door-to-moor arrangements directly with Synewave.
Real-world evidence
Feel the difference before choosing your own.
The holiday boat provides a real-world introduction to Oakums design, build quality and reliability. Your eventual commission will be developed around your own life, priorities and cruising plans.
Holiday bookings are managed by Synewave. New-boat consultations are managed directly by Oakums.
Start your Oakums
Ready to plan your own boat?
Tell Oakums what you learned from the experience and what you would want your own commission to do differently.