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Your first winter on your narrowboat

Written by Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, renowned Marine Surveyor and
Fran and Rich from Floating Our Boat

A family and a dog enjoy a winter narrowboat ride near a dock with a Christmas tree in the background.

A beginner’s guide to staying afloat
through the cold season

As the cold draws in and the nights grow longer, life on the water takes on a slower, quieter rhythm. After the recent high winds from Storm Amy and Storm Benjamin, it’s clear that winter is on the way and getting your boat prepared is essential to avoid damage and keep her comfortable over winter. Whether you live onboard, or you use your narrowboat, barge or wide beam for regular escapes from the rat race, it’s the time of year when a little extra care keeps your boat warm, dry, and ready for whatever winter brings.

This guide, with expert advice from Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor, and Fran and Rich from Floating Our Boat, shares some of the important things to think about this winter, especially if you’re new to narrowboat ownership.

Winterising maintenance

Carrying out proper winter maintenance isn’t just about keeping your boat comfortable. Time spent preparing your boat now can prevent costly damage, hassle, and expensive bills.

A person is kneeling and painting the hull of a boat, preparing it on land for upcoming festive activities.

Above deck

Covers

Check canopies and cratch covers for leaks or tears.
Clean and waterproof fabric with a specialist spray.
Secure all fastenings to withstand high winds.

Drains

Clear deck drains and gutters of leaves and dirt. Blocked drainage channels can freeze and cause damage and water ingress.

Mooring lines

Inspect mooring lines and fenders frequently, especially in the lead up to, or the wake of storms. Checking pins and bollards is also essential.
Make sure you anticipate water level changes by using longer lines which will allow your boat to safely rise and fall with the water levels.

Windows and vents

Check seals around windows, mushroom vents and hatches. Renew any perished rubber seals to prevent leaks.

Below deck

Engine & heating

Change oil and filters and top up antifreeze.
Grease stern gland to prevent leaks.
Check your heating system before the cold sets in.
Service stoves and sweep chimneys, check CO and smoke alarms monthly.
Top up your fuel tank to reduce condensation and microbial growth (“diesel bug”), and add a fuel treatment.

Batteries & electrics

Keep batteries charged with a solar panel or charger.
Test shore power RCDs and connections for any damage.

Water systems

If you’re not living onboard, drain freshwater and waste systems completely to prevent frozen pipes. Don’t forget your toilet and shower pump.
Protect any exposed pipes from freezing.

Bilges / hull

Check your bilge pump is working.
Check any through hull fittings are in good condition.

Interior

If you’re not living onboard, prop cushions upright to help with ventilation, and remove bedding.
Use marine grade dehumidifiers or moisture traps to reduce condensation.
Ventilate regularly to avoid mould.

A cartoon penguin holds a wrench and stands next to a closed toolbox, ready for festive activities.

Black and white illustration of narrowboats docked together, with a cat on deck amid festive activities.

Winter moorings

Many boaters who spend the summer cruising on the cut choose to move into a staffed marina for the winter months.

Marinas typically offer convenient access to:

Shore power, fresh water, pump-out and fuel facilities.
On-site showers, laundry, and waste disposal.

A staffed marina also provides:

24-hour surveillance and secure moorings.
On-site staff who can check your boat during bad weather or if you’re away.
Extra safety in case of rising water levels or frozen locks.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing your narrowboat is safe, monitored, and protected makes winter far more comfortable and worry-free.

If you're leaving your boat unattended

Make sure you check on your boat regularly, especially before and after bad weather.
Check your insurance policy for any specific requirements for the winter months.
Keep a spare set of mooring lines and fenders on board in the event that you need to use them in an emergency.

A penguin reads a book and drinks coffee in a cozy, winter narrowboat with a wood stove, couch, and small kitchen.

If you're living onboard

Stockpile wood, coal, kindling, and essentials like loo rolls and tinned food.
Double up insulation- use thermal curtains, foil-backed panels, and draught stoppers.
Run a dehumidifier regularly – a dry boat feels significantly warmer than a damp one and helps prevent mould and mildew.
Keep an eye on condensation – ventilation is key. It might be freezing cold outside, but opening doors and windows regularly during, especially after cooking, will help keep condensation to a minimum. Make sure any passive ventilation (trickle vents) are kept open to ensure a constant flow of fresh air.
Use hot water bottles, thermal socks and blankets to help you stay warm!

Insurance

Winter weather can be unpredictable, and accidents or damage can occur even with the best preparation. Having fully comprehensive boat insurance provides valuable peace of mind, covering you for accidental damage, fire, theft, as well as storm damage, that are normally excluded under basic third-party policies. A fully comprehensive policy will also provide wreck recovery if the worst happens.

If you only have a third-party insurance policy, take a moment to check that it includes enough wreck removal cover. Recovering a sunken narrowboat can be very expensive, and some third-party policies either don’t include wreck recovery or set limits that fall well short of the true cost, leaving you to foot a large bill for salvage and environmental clean-up.

QUOTE MY BOAT

Black and white illustration of a house near water with a winter narrowboat, a duck, and three ducklings by a fence.

Final words

Winter afloat can be one of the most magical times of year. Peaceful waterways, crisp mornings, snow on the ground and cosy evenings cuddled up with a good book by the stove. A little preparation now will keep your narrowboat as comfortable as possible over the winter months, helping you to enjoy the magic of winter on the cut.

Many thanks to Ben Sutcliffe-Davies and Fran and Rich for their help with putting this article together.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies is a highly experienced marine surveyor with over 30 years in the maritime industry. He specialises in small craft surveys, insurance assessments, and safety advice, sharing his expertise through talks, articles, and his popular YouTube channel.

For information on marine surveying, visit www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk.

More helpful advice can also be found on his YouTube channel.

Black and white drawing of a man in sunglasses and a collared shirt, as if ready for a winter narrowboat adventure.

A man and a woman stand side by side, holding hands and facing forward, drawn in a simple black and white style.

Fran and Rich, Floating our boat

Fran and Rich are the faces of Floating Our Boat, a popular YouTube channel where they share life aboard their narrowboat, exploring Britain’s waterways year-round. Their engaging videos and down-to-earth storytelling make us all want to make the move to a life on the cut!

Visit floatingourboat.com

For enquiries, call us:

+44 (0)1732 223 650

Get a boat insurance quote:

QUOTE MY NARROWBOAT

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