Whether you live on your narrowboat full time or tend to holiday aboard your barge, there's plenty of handy gadgets and accessories you'll want to keep on board.
Adding some accessories to your narrowboat can improve your whole boating experience, and this list of extra additions is a great place to start if you're wondering what you need.
From useful, functional items like clothing and appliances to practical pieces of technology, here are some amazing accessories to purchase for your narrowboat.
Home and Kitchen
We know that space is scarce on a narrowboat, but that shouldn't stop you from decking the place out to make it feel like home. These accessories will enhance your space and make boat life easier.
Porthole Bungs
These are creative and practical accessories that will add a little flair to your narrowboat. A great alternative to curtains, porthole covers can be crafted in a huge variety of fabrics and styles, allowing you to decorate your narrowboat exactly to your taste.
You could have them custom-made - there are plenty of options out there. Another option is to shop secondhand. If you know the porthole measurements, you could find some on eBay to upcycle or keep as they are. You could even make your own!
IT Luggage Wheeled Cabin Case
IT Luggage has created the world's lightest small 4-wheel suitcase, weighing in at 1.8 kg. The ultra-lightweight design is perfect for taking everything you need onto your narrowboat if you're off on holiday.
Its innovative design will make travelling easier when you're on your narrowboat, and because of the case's softcover, it can be easily stored away when not in use. The IT cabin case has a 31-litre capacity, so it can accommodate multiple essential items with no hassle. This feature makes it a great option for a narrowboat holiday when you might need to pack for all types of weather.
It costs under £45 on Amazon, so you don't need to break the bank to buy this lightweight travel case.
Cookology Portable Tabletop Dishwasher
While a portable dishwasher may not be essential for your narrowboat's kitchen, it's certainly a luxury that will make boating life easier.
It's easy to use and doesn't require any plumbing - simply aim the waste hose down the sink and plug the dishwasher in. This mini dishwasher is a great little gadget to have on your narrowboat and will help optimise your small kitchen space, as you can tidy it away so it's not taking up worktop space.
It has a baby bottle sterilisation feature and a fruit washing setting, too.
The portable dishwasher is a little pricier than other narrowboat accessories at £300 on Amazon. But if it's a choice between washing the dishes and lounging on the deck, it's a no-brainer!
Collapsible Washing Up Bowl
That said, there is a time and place for doing the dishes the old-fashioned way in the kitchen sink. A collapsible washing up bowl, which doubles as a chopping board, will save space in your narrowboat and take your kitchen essentials a step further.
This multifunctional chopping board from Amazon is just under £13. It can be used as a washing up bowl, flattened into a chopping board and used as a fruit bowl, too, if you like. You can hook the board onto the wall to keep your kitchen surfaces clutter-free.
Tefal Manual Food Chopper
This hand-powered food chopper from Tefal will save valuable time and space in food preparation and is bound to be a game-changer in your narrowboat kitchen.
You eliminate the need to keep numerous knives and chopping boards on your boat, and because it's manual, you won't use any electricity.
You can chop up all kinds of veg with this handy narrowboat kitchen hack and even tougher foods like nuts. Why not use it as a bowl to prepare dips like hummus or guacamole, too!
This manual food chopper from Tefal is £14.99 on Amazon and is sure to be a worthy investment for your narrowboat.
Electronics
The below gadgets are bound to improve life on your boat, as they're practical and durable with unique designs.
Some of these accessories are made specifically for narrowboats, while some are so versatile that they can easily be used on a boat or in a home. Here are the best electronic devices to keep on your narrowboat.
Preciva Magnetic Telescopic Pick Up Tool
We know that dropping your keys on your narrowboat is far from an ideal situation. This incredible gadget from Preciva has been designed to magnetically attract your lost items.
It's made of military-grade aluminium alloy with an LED light at one end and a powerful magnet at the other. It's an essential addition to your narrowboat accessories by helping you retrieve small items with ease.
The Preciva pick up tool is under £7 on Amazon, and it's an incredibly useful device to have on board.
Wonderboom 2 Wireless Speaker
Whatever you want to listen to on your narrowboat, you should do it with a Wonderboom 2 wireless speaker.
This compact speaker from Ultimate Ears is waterproof, dustproof, and even floats if you accidentally drop it overboard. It has a 13-hour battery life, so you can play your favourite tunes in the daytime and well into the evening. It also has an Outdoor Boost button so that you can listen out on the deck with a clear and crisp sound.
It's a lightweight 420 grams and measures 10.4 x 9.5 cm, so you can easily store it on your narrowboat. The Wonderboom 2 speaker has a sturdy loop to hang it up, too.
Telescopic Underwater Inspection Camera
This telescopic underwater camera is ideal for inspecting any damage to your boat. It has an LED light to capture clear images and comes with a rechargeable battery and a 7-inch monitor to view your images.
This tool can be submerged underneath 10 metres of water, so it's perfect if you need high-quality pictures of the bottom of your boat.
It costs £385 from See Marine, but it's a solid investment. You can easily make your money back on this narrowboat accessory because of how much you'll save should you need to check out any damage. Just take a few images with this camera instead of spending hundreds to lift your boat out of the water.
Attwood Sahara Auto Bilge Pump
An effective bilge pump is essential for keeping your narrowboat running smoothly. Investing in an automatic pump is a good idea and gives you time to focus on other things while the pump does its job.
This heavy-duty automatic bilge pump from Attwood is made with corrosion-resistant materials with a durable, powerful motor. It's submersible with a built-in float switch and is fully waterproof so that it can be mounted directly into the bilge.
This compact machine is a great choice for your narrowboat, and it's available in three different capacities, so you can choose which is best for your barge.
One reviewer said: "Great value. After spending a fortune on smart-sensing automatic bilge pumps that all seem to pack up or stay permanently on (thus draining the battery and putting an end to a planned trip out). I installed one of these in 2015, and it has not let me down. Good price."
It's available from Force 4 Chandlery, and it's currently on offer for £59.95 (its normal RRP is £120.58).
Clothing
It's no secret that British weather can be unpredictable, even in the summertime. One minute you're catching some rays, the next minute the rain has put out the barbecue! Here are some extra durable pieces of gear you should have on your narrowboat should you experience the UK's volatile weather conditions.
Waterproof Hat
Sometimes a hood isn't enough. Getting yourself a good quality waterproof hat will be ideal for when you're aboard your boat in Britain's weather conditions.
Especially if you're out on your narrowboat in the winter, a waterproof beanie is a must-have accessory. This beanie hat from Sealskinz is £30 and is 100 per cent waterproof and windproof, so it's ideal for colder temperatures.
This hat is made with premium materials for a durable beanie that is breathable and keeps your head warm and your hair dry. Made with a unique three-layer construction, it features a floating waterproof membrane that can tackle any amount of rain or snow.
Waterproof Poncho
We've included a good quality rain poncho on this list because while a waterproof coat is essential, a poncho is much easier to store and works in all temperatures.
This Rubbastuff rain poncho is tough and durable to withstand harsh weather. It's soft inside and has an arched hood to improve visibility. You can pop it over your warm clothes when it's cold, and it's lightweight enough that you won't get too hot in spring or summer showers.
It also has reflective patches so that anyone can see you in the dark. This poncho folds up into the hood, so it's super easy to store on your small narrowboat. It even doubles as a picnic blanket! Just lay it flat and take a seat.
The Rubbastuff rain poncho is £45.
Outdoor accessories
Spending the summer on your narrowboat is what dreams are made of. Take a look at some of the best pieces of kit you can buy to enhance boat life outdoors.
Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
A coffee machine isn't likely to be a staple appliance aboard your narrowboat - such an accessory is usually too big and uses more electricity than you'd like.
Luckily, this portable espresso maker by Wacaco is the answer to your instant coffee issues. This coffee maker is manually powered so that it won't use up any important electricity from your narrowboat.
It only weighs 336 grams and measures 15 cm in length, so it's easy to take with you on and off your narrowboat. The Nanopress water tank holds up to 80ml of water and comes with a detachable cup for when you're on the move.
All you need for the perfect espresso aboard your narrowboat is a stovetop kettle and the Wacaco Nanopress - this espresso maker needs boiling water as the tank isn't thermal.
It costs £64.99 on Amazon and is essential for any coffee lovers living the boating life.
Magma Charcoal Barbecue
What better way to enjoy a summer evening than with a barbecue on the deck? This Magma barbecue is ideal for outdoor grilling as it's made with 100 per cent stainless steel.
The lid doubles as a windshield, and this barbecue has an adjustable grill and temperature control. It's relatively small, measuring 37 cm in diameter, so you can cook a hearty meal there without it taking up too much space when stored away.
Magma products are created specifically with boaters in mind, so consider this option when shopping around for a BBQ on your narrowboat. The charcoal barbecue is available from Force 4 and costs £299.95.
Bella D'Vine Wine Glass Holder
Relaxing with a glass of wine is one of life's most simple pleasures, but if you're sailing or even just out on the deck, things can get a bit shaky.
This wine glass holder from Bella D'Vine is one of the best narrowboat accessories you could own. It's versatile and can be secured to almost any surface, ensuring your tipple doesn't topple! There are two attachments - a peg to fix the device into the ground or a strap to wrap around chair arms and the like. The Bella D'Vine wine glass holder costs £48 on Amazon.
Stanley Stainless Steel Bottle
A good quality reusable bottle is an essential narrowboat accessory.
This one from Stanley is a durable stainless steel 1-litre bottle with double-wall vacuum insulation. It keeps the contents hot or cold for 24 hours, so it's perfect if you're heading out on a long walk.
It's made with the 'built for life' Stanley motto in mind. With a rugged design, it's leakproof and practical, with the lid doubling as a cup if you're in a pinch. This bottle is useful all year round - keep a cool, refreshing drink in the summer, then fill it with a hot brew in the colder months.
The Stanley 18/8 stainless steel bottle is available on Amazon for £37.99.
2-in-1 Picnic Blanket/Cool Bag
Picnics are a fantastic way to spend some time outdoors, but who wants to carry a load of bags around with them?
This cool bag doubles up as a picnic blanket, so it's perfect for saving space. It's also a hassle-free way to bring the essentials with you if you're spending the day outdoors.
One reviewer said: "It is so handy! It kept the drinks nice and cool and magically opened into a blanket. Then we put our empty bottles and boxes back in the bag. It was so easy. I recommend it."
The bag is insulated to keep food cool for six hours with a large handle for easy carrying. When you're ready to set up your picnic, unzip the bag to transform it into a picnic blanket. When used as a blanket, there's an insulated area in the middle, which easily wipes clean in case of any spills.
The best part is that this blanket bag folds down flat, so you can keep it on your narrowboat without it taking up too much room.
It's available on Etsy at £14.99 for a medium size and £19.99 for a large.
Specialist narrowboat insurance from Insure4Boats
If you've purchased some new accessories for your boat, it's important that you have the right narrowboat insurance. With our insurance cover, you can protect the contents of your narrowboat so you can have total peace of mind. Find out more by clicking the link above and get an instant online quote here.
