JD Narrowboats
Discover the best company for your New, Custom Narrowboat built.
With our list of the 5 best narrowboat companies for you.
Who are we?
JD Narrowboats is the premier, family-run specialist for New Narrowboat Builders . We deliver fully Custom Narrowboat Construction with superior, 100% In-House quality control from our Shardlow workshop. We never outsource core fabrication or fit-out, ensuring consistent, superior craftsmanship far beyond the industry standard.
See who is the right choice for you:
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats
Aqua Narrowboats
Knights Narrowboats
Swan Boat builders
Want a narrowboat but don’t know who is on the market?, We are here to help
Bellow we will list some of the best options for narrowboat companies for you to start your narrow boating journey, and to choose who is the right fit for you.
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats Main USP:
Genuine Bespoke Craftsmanship & Modern Hybrid Integration - A small team offering completely unique, custom-designed narrowboats and wide beams, with a strong focus on fitting electric-diesel hybrid propulsion systems.
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats Overview & What They Do:
Stone Bespoke is based in Aston Marina, Stone, Staffordshire. They are highly skilled craftsmen who offer a full build service, taking a UK-manufactured steel shell through to the final, unique fit-out. They use local materials where possible and prioritise quality over volume.
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats Features & What Makes Them Stand Out:
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats primary specialisation is integrating hybrid power systems into their new builds, making them ideal for the environmentally conscious boater. Interiors feature luxurious, contemporary finishes and custom-made kitchens. They offer comprehensive post-build aftercare services, including servicing and paint restoration.
Stone Bespoke Narrowboats Best Suited Customer:
The customer who wants a truly unique, high-quality residential or long-term cruising vessel and prioritises a collaborative design process and future-proof hybrid power options.
Aqua Narrowboats
Aqua Narrowboats Main USP: Dual Service: Luxury Hire Fleet & Bespoke Boat Building
A company that validates its designs and build quality through its own commercial luxury hire fleet, ensuring highly practical and durable bespoke new builds.
Aqua Narrowboats Company Overview & What They Do:
Based at Barton Turns Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal, Aqua Narrowboats has a dual business model. They are a well-regarded builder of bespoke narrowboats and also run a small fleet of luxury narrowboat rentals. This allows them to apply real-world, practical knowledge to their new builds.
Aqua Narrowboats Features & What Makes Them Stand Out:
Aqua Narrowboats dual hire/build business model is their biggest differentiator, offering practical, proven layouts for new owners. They offer a hire sponsorship scheme, allowing new owners to offset purchase costs by placing their vessel into the luxury hire fleet for a period.
Aqua Narrowboats Best Suited Customer:
The customer who is looking for a proven, high-quality custom build from an established builder, or the investor who wants to buy a boat that earns income in a sponsored hire fleet before taking full ownership.
Knights Narrowboats
Knights Narrowboats Main USP: Quality Over Quantity with Option for Both Bespoke and Standardised Builds
Focusing on producing a limited number of high-specification boats each year, offering exceptional quality and detailed craftsmanship.
Knights Narrowboats Company Overview & What They Do:
Knights Narrowboats operates from Aqueduct Marina in Cheshire. They are dedicated to manufacturing and fitting stunning narrowboats, placing quality and detailed craftsmanship at the core of their philosophy. They deliberately limit production to ensure meticulous attention to detail on every vessel.
Knights Narrowboats Features & What Makes Them Stand Out:
Knights Narrowboats offer two main paths: Fully Bespoke Builds for total customisation, and the 'Shroppie' Range, which uses pre-planned, high-specification layouts with customisable finishing touches. This range allows customers to access a high-quality boat with a potentially faster lead time.
Knights Narrowboats Best Suited Customer:
The customer who values superior, dedicated craftsmanship and is looking for a luxury residential or comfortable long-term cruiser. They cater to those wanting full customisation or a high-spec boat with a faster lead time via the 'Shroppie' range.
Swan Boat Builders
Swan Boat Builders Main USP: Cutting-Edge Technology and Modern, Luxurious Living
Specialising in integrating smart home systems (Loxone), advanced power management (Victron/LiFePO4), and eco-friendly propulsion.
Swan Boat Builders Overview & What They Do:
Based in Aintree, Liverpool, Swan Boat Builders have over 25 years of experience building bespoke narrowboats and wide beams. They position themselves as innovators who integrate the latest domestic technology into the canal environment to create truly modern liveaboard vessels.
Swan Boat Builders Features & What Makes Them Stand Out:
Swan Boat Builders are specialists in Loxone smart systems (allowing control of lighting and heating via an app) and are experts in highly reliable, off-grid Victron electrical systems and LiFePO4 batteries. They offer choices between diesel, hybrid, or full-electric propulsion.
Best Suited Customer:
The customer who desires a state-of-the-art, high-tech, and luxurious liveaboard vessel with smart home functionality and a strong focus on modern energy efficiency and eco-conscious cruising.
Our core commitment to all new narrowboat builds is defined by our 100% In-House guarantee.
This means no outsourced work for the shell, fit-out, or systems - guaranteeing that your vessel is built by a single, accountable, multi-generational family team.
This end-to-end control, backed by over 50 years of experience, allows us to confidently offer a 12-Month Comprehensive Warranty on every custom narrowboat launched from our Shardlow yard.
Jd Narrowboats the UK Narrowboat Building Experts: Our 100% In-House Quality Advantage
Full Transparency & The 100% In-House Guarantee
By eliminating external contractors for major construction stages, we guarantee a consistent standard of quality that is simply impossible to achieve otherwise.
This end-to-end control allows us to confidently offer up to a 5 Year Comprehensive Warranty on every finished vessel, built by artisans with over 50 years of heritage.
No Outsourcing
Zero gaps in quality control.
Open Workshop
Clients are encouraged to visit and inspect progress.
Master Artisans
Built by a single, skilled family team since 1975.
Financial Peace of Mind: Our Milestone Payment Plan
We know that financial risk is a major concern when building custom narrowboats. Our solution is simple: you only pay when you see verifiable progress.
Step 1: Design & Fixed Price Contract
We conduct a deep-dive consultation to finalize your precise layout, engine, and material choices. Once agreed, we provide your fixed-price quotation.
Milestone Payment: 2% Deposit (Secures build slot and finalizes technical specification).
Step 2: Laying the Base Plate
Your vessel officially begins construction. The base plate steel is delivered, cut, and the crucial 10mm steel foundation is welded into position.
Milestone Payment: 6% Payment (Verifies the commencement of major steelwork).
Step 3: Complete Steel Shell
The hull is fully fabricated, including the cabin, roof, and stern deck. The boat is now a fully formed, watertight structure, ready for the fit-out shed.
Milestone Payment: 18% Payment (Confirms the structural integrity and completion of the steelwork).
Step 4: First Fix Infrastructure
The boat is moved into the shed for spray-foam insulation, engine installation, and the critical first runs of hidden plumbing, water tanks, and electrical cabling.
Milestone Payment: 30% Payment (Covers the cost of all critical infrastructure and insulation).
Step 5: Second Fix & Cabinetry
We install all bespoke cabinetry, joinery, and fit all major appliances (white goods). The interior is finished with visible electrical fittings (sockets, switches) and final plumbing connections.
Milestone Payment: 30% Payment (Completes the internal fit-out, making the boat largely functional).
Step 6: Final Commissioning & Handover
The final 14% is held until the very end. We complete painting, detailing, and rigorously commission (test) every single system on the boat. You then conduct your final inspection.
Milestone Payment: 14% Final Payment (Due only upon successful final inspection and physical handover of your keys and documentation).
The Metrics That Matter: JD Narrowboats vs. The Field
We're setting new standards in quality, flexibility, and financial transparency for your new build.
Other Narrowboat builders also include, not sure on their features, Check them out!:
JD Narrowboats (Premium Specification)
Design Flexibility
100% Custom Design Service. Every vessel is custom-designed without relying on restrictive templates, ensuring your boat truly matches your vision.
Hull Warranty
An industry-leading 10 Years Full Coverage warranty is provided, offering you superior long-term assurance and peace of mind.
Standard Steel Specification
We use a superior build quality: 10mm Base / 6mm Sides / 5mm Roof steel specification, ensuring maximum longevity and durability.
Build Time Guarantee
Fixed, Contractual Completion Date is guaranteed, ensuring reliable and predictable delivery of your narrowboat.
Typical Industry Standard Builders
Design Flexibility
Options are generally Limited and Template-based, often restricting customisation of the layout and internal features.
Hull Warranty
Standard warranties typically range from 5 to 7 Years, and may often come with various limiting conditions.
Standard Steel Specification
Builders commonly use 8mm Base / 5mm Sides / 4mm Roof steel, which is a lower specification compared to our standard.
Build Time Guarantee
Completion dates are usually provided as Estimated or Flexible Deadlines, which can often lead to unpredictable delays in delivery.
100% Custom Design
Every element, from hull length to interior layout, is tailored precisely to your living requirements.
Master UK Craftsmanship
Built by traditional boat engineers using high-grade steel and premium fixtures for longevity.
Financial Peace of Mind
Payments are strictly tied to verifiable progress, protecting your investment at every turn.
We Deliver our Promises! Join Others Like You.
You've Compared. Now, Discover Your Build Journey.
The next step is to understand the JD Narrowboats process in detail - the final stage before you're ready to design your perfect vessel.
Build slots are limited and running low.