What
is a Narrowboat
A narrowboat or narrow boat is a boat of a distinctive design,
made to fit the narrow canals of Great Britain.
In the context
of British Inland Waterways, "narrow
boat" refers to the original working boats built in
the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries for carrying goods on
the narrow canals (where locks and bridge holes would have
a minimum width of 7 feet (2.1 m)). The term is extended
to modern "narrowboats" used for recreation and
occasionally as homes, whose design is an interpretation
of the old boats for modern purposes and modern materials.
Purists
tend to use the term with a space (narrow boat) when referring
to an original boat or a replica, and to omit
the space when referring to a modern boat used for leisure
or as a residence - but this is not a hard and fast rule.
The single word 'narrowboat' has been adopted by authorities
such as British Waterways and the magazine Waterways
World to refer to all boats built in the style and tradition
of the narrow canal locks.
Although some narrow boats were built to a design based
on river barges, it is incorrect to refer to a narrowboat
(or narrow boat) as a barge. In the context of the British
inland waterways, a barge is usually a much wider, cargo-carrying
boat or a modern boat modelled on one, certainly more than
7 feet (2.1 m) wide.
On most
narrowboats steering is by a tiller, as it was on all working
narrow boats, and the steerer stands at the stern
of the boat, aft of where a person emerges from the hatchway
and rear doors at the top of the steps up from the cabin.
The steering area comes in three basic types, each meeting
different needs in terms of maximising internal space; having
a more traditional appearance; having a big enough rear deck
for everyone to enjoy summer weather or long evenings; or
protection for the steerer in bad weather. Each type has
its strong advocates.
What
is a Cabin Cruiser
A cabin
cruiser is a type of power boat that provides accommodation
for its crew and passengers inside the structure of the craft.
A cabin cruiser usually ranges in size from 25 to 45 feet
(7.6 to 13.7 m) in length, with larger pleasure craft usually
considered yachts. Many cabin cruisers can be recovered and
towed with a trailer and thus easily stored on land, which
reduces maintenance and expense. These craft are generally
equipped with a head (toilet), a galley, and at least one
berth. Most cabin cruisers usually have a small dining area
and some have an aft cabin (a cabin to the rear of the cockpit,
with a double bed) Some cabin cruisers are equipped with
heating, air conditioning, and power generators. Most also
have water heaters and shore power electric systems.
The cabin cruiser provides many of the amenities of larger
yachts, while costing much less and normally being fully
operable by the owner, whereas larger yachts often require
a professional crew.
Most newer cabin cruisers are faster than older models because
of improved aerodynamic and hydrodynamic designs. Cabin cruisers
are generally able to handle the water well because of their
size and give a stable ride. They are generally spacious
in the cockpit (open seating area towards at aft or centre). |
