Narrowboat maintenance tips to keep your vessel in great condition

As narrowboat owners, our boats are the key to exploring all the UK waterways have to offer. Whether you’re a weekend boater, holiday lover, or live aboard your vessel, our boats allow us a little escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Owning a boat is a rewarding experience, however, one of the biggest aspects to consider is the upkeep, renovation and general narrowboat maintenance. It’s not just about making sure your vessel lasts as long as possible, though; learning new skills or finishing restoration projects provides a sense of accomplishment and can save you costly repairs in the long run.

Whether it’s your passion at the weekends or you’ve transitioned to living aboard, the narrowboat maintenance tips we’ve put together in this blog will help you to keep your boat in perfect working condition.

General narrowboat maintenance

Your narrowboat must be regularly inspected and serviced, but when it comes to maintenance checks, there are different levels to be aware of.

Boat maintenance doesn’t have to be a daunting task, and a lot of minor repairs are simple enough to solve. Training yourself to spot issues before they become a problem is key to saving you time and money in the long run.

Daily checks

As a rule of thumb, boaters should commit to examining the following parts before every outing:

• Engine oil levels
• Engine coolant levels
• Bilge levels
• Tighten stern tube greaser post-cruise

Maintaining the correct engine oil level is highly important, as the oil acts as a lubricant that helps to clean and protect all moving parts. Without the correct oil levels, your narrowboat is more likely to break down during your journey. Similarly, your engine coolant levels also need to be monitored during each trip, as failure to top up can lead to your engine overheating—and you’ll be risking permanent damage to your boat, too!

A bilge pump is a piping system intended to release any water that’s made its way into the vessel. It’s important your bilge pump works correctly, and you should ensure there is no leakage or signs of wear and tear. Failure to do this could result in sinkage or corrosion to other systems.

The action of the propeller shaft consumes the grease in your stern tube. By tightening the greaser after use, you can ensure that new grease is introduced to the shaft bearings and seals. Otherwise, water will corrode the bearings or enter your boat.

Monthly checks

The following checks should be carried out on a monthly basis:

• General wear and tear of hoses, pipes, wiring and fan belt
• Exhaust leaks
• Diesel leaks from any pipework
• Loose engine nuts
• Battery electrolyte levels
• Navigational tool updates
• Water seepage throughout the cabin from any water outlets
• Check gas flames have a clear blue burn
  Inspect mooring ropes, pins, posts and rings for stability 

Although these issues are rare, if any of them fail, you run the risk of major incidents occurring, such as fires, sinking or gas poisoning.

Keeping your battery topped up will make starting your engine easier and keep your navigation equipment operational. Updating your navigational maps to include the latest depth and hazard charts is also important.

The galley kitchen is an often overlooked area. For example, if your vessel has gas burners for cooking, check that the nozzles aren’t blocked and the valves can turn freely.

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause rubber hoses to perish, where they become brittle and cracked. Ensuring your hoses are damage-free will mean you can enjoy your journey without any incidents.

Beginning of season checks

If your narrowboat sits for long periods unattended, you should consider the following checks before you venture out on the water again:

• Engine alignment
• Clean air filter
• Condition of jubilee clips and hoses
• Change gearbox oil
• Check fan belts and rubber seals
• Clean in-line filters in pipes/shower pump
• Service central heating system 

A misaligned engine can increase wear and tear on the engine, gearbox and propeller shaft. You may need specialist help for this, but if you frequently moor your narrowboat in a marina, onsite specialists are usually available to help at a reduced rate.

If your engine has a clogged air filter, it will struggle to produce enough power to cruise at your normal rate and may consume more fuel as a result.

Engine vibrations can cause jubilee clips to loosen, which can cause a leak if not checked properly. However, it’s important you don’t over-tighten these as they can cut the hose and make the problem worse.

During use, the metal components of the gearbox are worn down and create a metal powder or filings, which could damage the gearbox. Gearbox oil removes any debris but can become saturated and worsen the issue. Removing the oil and replacing it with fresh, clean oil will remove these particles, though. You might need to change this twice if the original oil was thick and grey!

A damaged fan belt will not last long under sustained load, such as cruising. This belt generally powers cooling pumps and alternators, so it should be in good condition before setting off. Look for any black dust below the belt, cracking, and listen for high-pitched noises when revving—and change the belt if you find an.

Given the damp nature of boats, you should regularly clean any in-line filters in your water system. This will prevent corrosion and the build-up of bacteria such as legionella.

Top up your central heating water loop and bleed any air out so that it will work most efficiently. Depending on the power source, check any related hoses or cabling, too.

End of season checks

After a successful boating season, you’re now ready to return home, so you should repair any issues you find during use.

Some of the most common jobs include:

• Checking the heater plug performance
• Cleaning out deck drains
• Checking the antifreeze concentration in the engine and central heating
• Clearing flue pipes of soot and tar build-up for proper ventilation
• Servicing the central heating units (especially if you’re going to use your narrowboat during the winter)

Repeated starting of a diesel engine wears out the heater plugs, so these should be checked and replaced if necessary. You can consult your engine manual for details on how to do this properly.

Deck drains are your primary defence against harsh weather conditions, too, so keep these clear of debris, such as leaves, as much as possible. Antifreeze stops the coolant from freezing in subzero temperatures, but it will eventually degrade and should be replaced annually.

Soot builds up in your exhaust pipe over time because it is routed underwater. However, you should empty this annually to allow the engine to breathe properly. Similarly, soot can build up in your wood burner (if you have one), which can become an issue if it powers your central heating system and subsequently fails. Keep a close eye on this, depending on your usage, and clean the exhaust flues and traps where necessary.

Preparing your narrowboat for winter

If you’re planning to leave your narrowboat unattended during the winter months, you’ll need to do the following first:

• Drain the domestic water system to avoid frozen pipes
• Leave cupboard and fridge doors open for air circulation
• Open all taps and drain off the pipes
• Drain half of the water tank

Subzero weather is the enemy of water pipes and can be particularly damaging for boats sitting in water with little insulation. It’s also advisable to drain your heating system, taps, water tanks, bilge and cooling systems of any fluid that could freeze and result in cracked pipes. If you have any fridges onboard, the doors should be propped open to prevent mould and mildew by allowing air circulation.

Essential narrowboat tools

The toolkit you keep aboard your narrowboat should be thorough and contain enough gadgets to aid you should you need to make any emergency repairs. Equally important are replacement parts, ensuring you have everything you need should the unthinkable happen.

Your toolkit supplies will vary depending on the type of narrowboat you own. However, generally speaking, you should include:

• A multi-meter (battery tester)
• Multiple rolls of PTFE tape (for dealing with unexpected domestic leaks)
• Adjustable spanners
• A flat head and multi-faceted screwdriver
• Pipe wrench
• A socket set
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Spare lengths of electrical wire and insulation tape
• Morse cables for steering
• Throttle and gear selection
• Fan belt
• Impeller
• Spark plugs
• Fuses of various amperages
• Fuel filter
• Bulbs, bolts and fuses
• A supply of oil and ‘stop leak’ (or putty) for those unexpected hull breaches

Decorating your narrowboat exterior

Sprucing up your narrowboat exterior doesn’t necessarily require huge modifications—you can achieve a lot with very little effort.

Painting

We’ve all seen how easy it is to transform a room simply by painting the walls. The same can be said for the exterior of your boat. Give your boat a fresh look with your favourite colour, and watch your vessel come to life before your eyes.

Gardening

A benefit of living aboard a narrowboat is there are plenty of spaces to include a garden. Your roof deck is the best space to add a selection of plants. Choosing evergreen plants will allow your boat to have plants in bloom all year round, whilst the odd seasonal plant will add a pop of colour to the arrangement as well.

Exterior narrowboat maintenance tips

All boat owners know it can be a laborious task to keep the exterior of your boat in top condition. However, by following a few simple tasks, it can make each job easier and save costs in the future.

1. Clean the exterior with fresh water

First things first, wash down the exterior of the boat with clean, fresh water and a soft sponge or brush to remove any dirt and dust. This helps to prevent any scratching; if you choose to use any soaps, make sure it isn't too harsh and suitable for your boat so that the paint is removed. This simple tip will have your boat looking sparkling in no time.

2. Refresh with vanish/paint

Although there may be no way to fully remove scratching unless you have the exact paint or varnish as the original, there are still ways to refresh and hide any scuffs. If there is no bare metal on show, then simply pick up your paintbrush and with a steady hand begin painting over the exterior. If bare metal has started to show, make sure you remove any rust, add a primer and then do an undercoat and a top coat of paint.

3. Narrowboat engine maintenance

Checking your boat engine is crucial and should be done regularly during the year. Keeping the engine in its best condition will ensure that you can continue leisurely cruising on your adventures without any issues. The most common engine issues relate to the alternator belt, make sure this is fitted properly and keep a spare just in case. Other checks should include; fluid levels, drive belt, moving parts and the fan belt.

4. Solar panels

The amount of energy that can be wasted due to your solar panels not being kept clean can be quite a considerable amount. The build-up of debris that can collect over time can cover the panels to such an extent that it can reduce the effectiveness by up to 20%, so keeping them clean is a must.

5. Clear away debris

With damp leaves collecting on and around your boat, in particular, on the roof and in the water drainage gullies, this can cause corrosion if yodon’t't keep on top of this. Keep a brush handy to help tidy away any debris to help protect against any rust and corrosion.

6. Topping up your fueI

It’s a good idea to keep a can of spare fuel. This avoids the worry of ever running out. If this is something you can’t do, make sure you invest in a fuel treatment instead. This will help you to avoid the risk of being caught out by diesel bug. This is where your fuel becomes contaminated and ends up being very gloopy and unusable. This can be quite common during the winter months on canal boats as a result of the tank containing higher moisture levels.

7. Always have a pair of sharp shears available

Garden shears are an essential piece of kit onboard a narrowboat, particularly during the summer months when more vegetation has appeared. It's often the case that, in order to moor up more comfortably, you’ll have to cut back some of the new plant life that has appeared. It’s important to stay on top of this, as, if left to their own devices, weeds can cause damp and other potential damage to your boat.

Owning a boat is a fantastic experience, but you should learn and follow a few narrowboat maintenance tactics to ensure it is in its best condition. By looking after the interior and exterior of your boat, it will last much longer and ensure you enjoy your adventures without the hassle.

Decorating your narrowboat interior

With just a few easy modifications, you can transform your narrowboat interior to make your space more welcoming and homely.

A lot of narrowboat interiors can end up looking dated, but with clever use of space and colour, you can breathe new life into any boat without spending a fortune.

Colour scheme

Choosing the right colour scheme for your interior is one of the most important decisions you can make. Your colour choice can make or break the overall aesthetic of your boat. Opting for white or neutrals creates a sense of cleanliness and gives the illusion of a larger space, which is particularly advantageous for a small narrowboat.

Use bold, cheery accent colours to bring an instant pop to any area, from rugs, curtains and cushions, or if you’re braver, you could even opt for a full feature wall.

Galley kitchens

Installing a galley kitchen is an easy way to bring your interior design into the modern era. A galley kitchen is a long, narrow kitchen with cabinets and countertops on opposite walls.

Not only do galley kitchens allow you to make the best use of your space by enabling you to cook onboard, but they also take up minimal space while still providing ample storage.

Interior narrowboat maintenance tips

Particularly for those who live on board their narrowboat, you will want to feel at home in a cosy, clean and calming atmosphere. Not a space that is full of mess and mayhem. Keeping on top of your indoor maintenance will make sure that your living space is the perfect place to relax and entertain.

1. Clean everything regularly

One simple solution to many of your interior issues is to set time aside to clean regularly. This will help to prevent dust build-up, cobwebs, mould, residue and an overall messy environment. Don’t forget to wipe and polish surfaces, wash up pots and pans, wash bedding, brush up and everything else that will ensure you are in a clean and positive space.

2. Create a spider-stopper

Unless you're an extreme spider lover, it's doubtful that you will want these creepy crawlies roaming around your boat. One way to stop this? A DIY spider stopper can be made by cutting up a pair of old tights or an old, thin, stretchy garment and then attaching the material over any vents to help stop any insects making themselves at home. Another way to prevent spiders from appearing is by placing conkers by doors and windows. Do bear in mind though that spiders help to keep the flies at bay too.

3. Declutter your space

Don’t keep what you don’t need or never use. Not only will these items take up space, but they also make the place look cluttered. Bin what’s broken or on its last legs, give away what you no longer use, or even sell it online or to a fellow boater. Re-organising your belongings will make cleaning so much easier and you might then not feel the need to put it off as much, ensuring your boat is kept in tip-top shape.

4. Store some spare paint

It's a good idea to keep some spare paint onboard - for both inside and outdoor touch-ups to cover any scratches and scuffs. Paint colours can change and update very quickly, so having spares for internal updates can be very useful. For outside, it should form part of your regular maintenance to check for any minor marks as these can eventually become a worrying rust problem if left untreated.

5. Keep spare gas canisters

As well as keeping spare paint, you should also keep spare gas canisters on board to ensure you're covered if the gas was to run out. As well as housing spare gas canisters, it’s worth keeping as many spares as possible of other items too. For example, lightbulbs, engine oil, dock lines, alternator belts, water pumps and anti-freeze are all very useful spares to have onboard.

Specialist narrowboat insurance through GJW Direct

Once you’re clued up on narrowboat maintenance, you may want to consider specialist narrowboat insurance to protect your boat further against the risks associated with living aboard.

You can get an instant online quote through our website to get covered.