Our Build Process: From Vision to First Cut at Swan Boat Builders
At Swan Boat Builders, we take pride in crafting bespoke narrowboats that turn your dreams into reality. Based in Aintree, Liverpool, at Unit 4, Wareing Rd, Liverpool L9 7AU, our team has over seven years of experience and has built more than 30 canal boats, including “Tickin Along,” featured on Channel 4’s “My Floating Home”. Our build process is a journey of collaboration, precision, and craftsmanship, starting with your vision and culminating in a vessel ready to cruise the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and beyond. In this page, we’ll walk you through the initial stages of our process, from the first meeting to the first cut of British steel in our new Aintree steel yard.
Step 1: The First Meeting – Understanding Your Vision
The journey begins with a warm welcome at our Aintree workshop, just minutes from Aintree Racecourse and major motorways like the M57 and M58. Over a classic “butty and a brew”—a Scouse tradition—we sit down with you to understand your vision. Whether you’re dreaming of a 60ft narrowboat for weekend getaways or a wide beam for full-time living, this initial consultation is all about listening to your needs and ideas.
During this meeting, our founder, Ian Kinvig (affectionately known as “Kinny”), and our team discuss your preferences for layout, features, and style. Want a modern kitchen with a Candy gas oven and quartz worktops? Or perhaps a cozy living area with a Smart TV, acoustic slatted feature walls, and Webasto central heating? We take detailed notes to ensure every aspect of your narrowboat reflects your personality. We also discuss practical elements, like solar panels and Victron electrical systems, to make your boat sustainable and efficient.
This collaborative approach sets the tone for the entire build process. With over 35 years of combined knowledge, our team offers expert guidance while keeping your vision at the heart of the project. By the end of the meeting, we’ve created a detailed plan that outlines your narrowboat’s specifications, ready to move to the design phase.
Step 2: Design and Planning – Bringing Your Ideas to Life
With your vision in hand, our Aintree team gets to work on the design and planning phase. This stage involves creating detailed blueprints and 3D renderings of your narrowboat, ensuring every element—from the hull’s dimensions to the interior layout—is perfectly tailored to your needs. We take into account the practicalities of canal life, such as space optimization and energy efficiency, while incorporating your personalized touches.
Our in-house capabilities, including our new steel yard, allow us to align the hull design with your interior preferences from the start. For example, if you’ve requested a spacious walk-through bathroom or a wide beam layout, we ensure the hull is designed to accommodate these features seamlessly. We also plan for modern features like solar panels, which we’ve integrated into many of our builds to support eco-friendly cruising.
During this phase, we maintain open communication with you, sharing updates and renderings for feedback. This collaborative process ensures that the design meets your expectations before we move to the construction phase. With over seven years of experience, we’ve perfected this step, ensuring a smooth transition from vision to reality.
Step 3: Preparing the Materials – Sourcing British Steel
Before construction begins, we source the finest materials to ensure your narrowboat is built to last. At Swan Boat Builders, we exclusively use British steel, known for its durability and strength, to craft our hulls. Sourced from trusted UK suppliers, this high-quality steel is the foundation of every vessel we build, ensuring it can withstand the demands of life on the water, whether you’re cruising near Liverpool or further afield.
Our new steel yard in Aintree gives us full control over the preparation process. We carefully inspect and organize the steel, ensuring it meets our rigorous standards. This in-house approach allows us to maintain quality at every step, from sourcing to the first cut. It also enables us to customize the hull’s dimensions and shape to match your design, whether you’re opting for a traditional narrowboat or a more spacious wide beam.
We also prepare other materials during this phase, such as the components for your Victron electrical system or the Webasto central heating unit, ensuring everything is ready for the build. This meticulous preparation sets the stage for a seamless construction process.
Step 4: The First Cut – Starting Construction in Our Aintree Steel Yard
With the design finalized and materials prepared, it’s time for the exciting first cut of the metal—the moment your narrowboat begins to take shape. In our Aintree steel yard, our skilled team uses advanced tools to make precise cuts in the British steel, shaping the pieces that will form your hull. The image below captures one of our builders using an angle grinder to cut steel, sending sparks flying as the hull’s foundation takes shape.
This step requires both skill and precision, qualities our team has honed over years of experience. The image below shows another moment in the steel yard, where a builder uses an oxy-acetylene torch to make detailed cuts, ensuring every piece fits perfectly.
Once the initial cuts are made, our team begins assembling the hull, a process that involves welding the steel pieces together. The image below highlights this stage, showing a welder joining the steel to create a watertight structure, ready for the next phases of construction.
This first cut marks the beginning of your narrowboat’s journey, a process that will continue with the same care and attention to detail through every stage of the build. With our in-house capabilities, we maintain strict quality standards, ensuring your boat is crafted to last.
Start Your Narrowboat Journey with Swan Boat Builders
From the first meeting to the first cut, our build process at Swan Boat Builders is all about turning your vision into a reality. With over seven years of experience, a commitment to using British steel, and a passion for quality, we’re proud to craft bespoke narrowboats that stand out on the water. Ready to start your journey? Visit our Aintree workshop at Unit 4, Wareing Rd, Liverpool L9 7AU, for a tour and a chat over a brew. Contact us at 07762 841511 to schedule your consultation today. Let’s build a narrowboat that’s uniquely yours
