Nick Thorpe Boat Building

We are a family run business based in Hixon, Stafford.
I started as a apprentice in 1991 for two of the highest regarded boatbuilders in the industry.
Over the years I've throughly enjoyed learning and developing my boatbuilding skills, and I strive for complete satisfaction for my clients as well as myself. In 2004 I decided to bite the bullet and go it alone, with the help of my wife Wendy in the office. This means I now build quality narrowboats that I proudly put my own name to.

Quality Narrowboats, Built to Your Specification

Everything is overseen by myself and nothing is overlooked. Each boat is built to the client's specifications and to my own designs on traditional lines. Please call us for an informal friendly chat about your narrowboat.

Complete Narrowboat building and fitting service

After recently relocating to our new premises, we can now offer more to the customer:

More build slots, due to extra space

In house hand finished paintwork

Full interior fitout

Engine of your choice fitted and commisioned

Call now on 01889 270 040 to discuss your project requirements.

Nick Thorpe Boatbuilding - Narrowboats in Staffordshire

Day Boat

Purposely built for single day use for hire companies, or for people wishing to hire from their own base.

Traditional

The traditional stern was originally found on working type boats. This offers the most internal cabin space, reducing the rear deck size.

Semi-Traditional

Although keeping the lines of a traditional boat, it offers a larger rear deck space by having an open roof area over the engine.

Cruiser

The larger rear deck space on an open cruiser layout offers a more sociable aspect to narrowboating.

Tug

Shares the same stern as a traditional boat, but also offers a high level front deck to replicate the old working tug boat style.

Boat Painting

Red/grey oxide primer, 2-3 coats of undercoat, prep between coats and 2 coats of topcoat. We use only the highest quality narrowboat paint, and work to your choice of colours/design.

Engine fitting

We work closely with Barrus and Beta Marine for our modern diesel
engines. All our fitted and commissioned at our premises.
If you have a personal engine preference, we can accomodate that.

Sailaway Boats

Sailaway services includes ballast, floor rails, floor ply, windows, portholes, roof ventilation, low level ventilation, engine fitting.
Contact us for more details