Canal narrowboat
A canal narrowboat is a long, slender vessel designed for navigating the narrow canals of the United Kingdom.
Also known as: narrowboat, canal boat
How big is it?
17.7 m · defined hull length
Also 58.07 ft
Defined hull length · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 15 m to 21.95 m.
A little perspective
Canal narrowboat vs Volleyball court: length comparison
The length of a volleyball court is about 1.02 times the hull length of a canal narrowboat.
A canal narrowboat is a long, slender vessel designed for navigating the narrow canals of the United Kingdom.
A volleyball court is the marked rectangular playing surface divided by a net for the team sport of volleyball.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Canal narrowboat
Defined hull length: 17.7 m; defined specimen; range 15 m–21.95 m.
A defined 17.7 m cruising narrowboat displacing 18 tonnes and travelling at 1.8 m/s. Bow-to-stern hull length excludes removable fenders; fit-out, loading and waterway dimensions vary.
Canal & River Trust — Boats and boating
The marked defined hull length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Volleyball court
Length: 18 m; standard.
18 × 9 m playing surface. Excludes surrounding space.
WA Government — volleyball dimensions
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 17.7 m
We compare the hull length of a canal narrowboat. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same. The recorded range is 15 m to 21.95 m.
A defined 17.7 m cruising narrowboat displacing 18 tonnes and travelling at 1.8 m/s. Bow-to-stern hull length excludes removable fenders; fit-out, loading and waterway dimensions vary.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17.7 m | 15 m to 21.95 m | defined specimen | |
| 18 t | 14 t to 22 t | defined specimen | |
| 1.8 m/s | 1 m/s to 2.2 m/s | defined specimen |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueVehicles and transportArticulated lorry16.5 mLengthAn articulated lorry is a heavy goods vehicle with a cab and a detachable trailer for carrying freight.
Around the same scaleVehicles and transportRiver paddle steamer11 mDefined hull lengthA river paddle steamer is a vessel propelled by a rotating paddle wheel, commonly used for river transport and excursions.
Nearest higher valueSport and equipmentVolleyball court18 mLengthA volleyball court is the marked rectangular playing surface divided by a net for the team sport of volleyball.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Canal & River Trust — Boats and boatingWaterway craft context and dimensional constraints; the atlas uses an explicitly defined cruising narrowboat specimen.
There’s always another scale
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