• Choose a “gospel” and work from there
• Measure off known points
• Take a step back and check, does it look right?
• No spirit level, try a square
• Laser level without self levelling or crossing strings to establish a “plane”
• Check it’ll fit through a door before you buy or build it

The Trials and Tribulations

The most obvious difference must be the size of the space. They’re literally narrow boats (disclaimer, I also work on Dutch Barges, Wide beams and other boats, but you know what I mean). You are tight on space, and this can mean you can’t manoeuvre large materials, don’t have space to work inside and can’t set up tools or put things flat to work on.

I think the second thing most people will think of is just how irregular boats are. Not only are they curved and angled, things are rarely straight, level or square, so how do you deal with this. In my experience it’s best to decide a datum or gospel that you are working to and take measurements from there. You can’t set out a level (spirit levels don’t work) so it needs to be what makes sense visually. This could be the floor, the wall, a counter top. It will vary from project to project and boat to boat.
While you can’t use a level, you can use a square (as large as possible ideally), tape measure and straight edge to lay out most things accurately. I have even been known to make use of a laser level. Cheap ones without self levelling can be handy in establishing a flat plane. If you don’t have one of these you can check the relative plane of four points by tying string between diagonally opposite points and checking if they align where they cross over.

Working on a Boat

Along with the irregular form, you can’t expect boats to follow industry standards for where pipes, cables and other things are laid. Extra care is needed for this, and while it’s unlikely, you really don’t want to drill through the hull below the waterline!
There are some plus sides to boats. Most internal parts are wooden and this makes it easy to fix too. No wall plugs and plaster board or crumbly bricks. You rarely need a ladder and as things are typically smaller they are normally possible to lift by yourself. That said, do check the size of your doors before you buy or build anything you need to get on to the boat.

Finally, even with years of experience, I still like to stop and check what I am doing regularly. If there is one thing that I would stress as the most important, it’s take a step back and look. Does it look right? Even if it measures right, if it looks wrong it probably is. Learn to trust your eyes, after all, it’s how it looks when it’s finished that you will really notice.

Lately, several influencers who purchased products from our shop have shared their experiences through unboxing videos and behind-the-scenes clips. Watching them reveal their orders, explore the details, and share their genuine reactions has been fantastic. Their creativity, enthusiasm, and thoughtful presentations truly brought our products to life in a way that’s both engaging and inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and the time they took to showcase their purchases.

Because Stories automatically disappear after 24 hours, these special moments are sometimes fleeting. Whenever possible, we save and share this content to our main feed so it can be enjoyed long after the original Story has expired. However, not every Story can be archived, which makes catching them live even more worthwhile.

If you enjoy seeing real customers and creators highlight their favourite finds, be sure to follow us and check in regularly. You never know when the next feature will appear. We love celebrating our community and sharing authentic experiences, and there’s always something new to discover.

Stay tuned—there’s more to come!

This esteemed magazine is accessible through a subscription service, ensuring that subscribers receive a high-quality physical copy delivered directly to their doorstep, allowing for easy reference and continued engagement with the content. In addition to the printed edition, Towpath Talk offers convenient digital access, enabling readers to stay informed about the latest news, projects, and developments within the waterways sector from any location around the world. This dual approach ensures that industry stakeholders and interested parties can remain connected and up-to-date with ongoing trends and initiatives involving Cluett Carpentry Ltd., reinforcing its reputation as a key player within this specialized field.

Read the full article on Towpathtalk.co.uk

To take advantage of this special offer, simply use the code NewYear2026 at checkout. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current items or explore new options, this sale provides an excellent opportunity to do so at a reduced price.

Initially, the sale was scheduled to run until the end of January; however, we reserve the right to conclude the promotion early if necessary. Past experience has shown that these events can be highly popular, and early termination ensures we maintain a high standard of service for all customers.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to save. Act now and make the most of our New Year’s Sale before it ends. Stay tuned for updates, and seize the moment to start your year with great deals.

Because of this overwhelming demand, we want to make sure every order receives the attention it deserves. To maintain the high standards we’re known for, we’re making a small but important scheduling adjustment.

Important Notice for Bespoke Orders

All bespoke orders placed after 29th November 2025 will not be fulfilled until the New Year.

This temporary change allows our team the time and space needed to complete current projects without compromising on craftsmanship, detail, or customer experience.

Why the Delay?

Simply put: you kept us very, very busy—and we’re grateful!

Our recent promotional offers saw a surge in orders beyond anything we anticipated. While this is fantastic news, it also means our workshop is operating at full capacity. To ensure fairness and maintain the exceptional quality of every bespoke piece, we’ve set this cutoff for pre-holiday completions.

Update on Bespoke Orders – What This Means for You

• You can still place bespoke orders throughout December, but
  production and fulfilment will begin in early January 2026.
• All current orders already in our system will be completed as promised.
• Stock items and non-bespoke purchases remain unaffected.

Thank You for Your Support

We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued trust in Cluett Carpentry. This year has been one of growth, creativity, and connection—and your support has played a huge part in that.

If you have any questions about lead times, existing orders, or future projects, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is always here to help.

Here’s to a fantastic end to the year—and to crafting more beautiful things together in 2026!

What a whirlwind it’s been! Our Black Friday Early Access Sale at Cluett Carpentry has officially wrapped up ahead of schedule — and for the very best reason: it absolutely took off.

We brought out the bunting, sharpened the pencils, and opened the doors early… and you showed up in a big way. Thanks to incredible demand and overwhelming support, the Early Access event has now ended earlier than planned. In other words, the breaks are on, and the bunting is down!

A Huge Thank You

We can’t say it enough: thank you. Whether you stocked up on custom carpentry essentials, placed your dream project order, or simply cheered us on, this surge of support means the world to our small team.

Already Ordered? You’re All Set.

If you placed an order during the Early Access sale — rest easy.
All orders already submitted will be fulfilled in full, right on schedule.

Still Want In? You’ve Got Time.

Although the Early Access promotion has closed, we’ll still be honouring any new orders placed before 1st December 2025. If you missed the rush or still have a project in mind, you haven’t missed your chance.

Sale Ends, More to Come

This Early Access event may have ended early, but the creativity, craftsmanship, and customer care at Cluett Carpentry certainly haven’t. Keep an eye out — more exciting updates are on the way.

Thanks again for making this our most successful early Black Friday event yet.
Here’s to building something brilliant together. 🛠️✨

PS, The sale ends officially now at midnight 20th November 2025. If you still have unused codes or offers from the event, then please ensure they are used by this new end date.

Our handcrafted shelves, storage steps, solar boxes and more are flying out of the workshop. From the Under Gunwale & Bulkhead Shelving Units to our Storage Steps and Solar Roof Boxes, we see shoppers claiming these quality pieces at great savings.

Because each piece is made with our signature attention to detail and lovingly finished in our own workshop, we recommend ordering early — especially if you’d like delivery in time for Christmas. Please note: the absolute last day to place an order for Christmas delivery is 1 December 2025. After that, orders will be fulfilled in the New Year.

It’s a perfect time to invest in a beautiful, unique furniture piece — whether you’re upgrading a boat interior (our specialist arena) or fitting a bespoke home shelving solution. The early access sale gives you that head start before the rush of Cyber Monday and the usual December demand.

Thank you to everyone who’s already placed an order — we’re delighted with the response and are working hard to keep up with our high standards of craftsmanship and delivery. If you’ve got questions about custom sizing, measuring or finish options, drop us a note — we’re here to help.

Don’t wait too long, though: once the code BFEA25 expires and the sale ends, these savings won’t stick around — especially with bespoke work taking time. Let’s make something beautiful together.

From now until 23 November 2025 at 23:59, you can take advantage of 15% off sitewide with the code BFEA25. Whether you’ve been eyeing something special for yourself or checking off your holiday gift list, now is the perfect time to shop and save.

Our Early Access Sale is designed to help you get more of what you love, without the stress of last-minute shopping. With 15% off across a wide range of products, it’s easier than ever to find great gifts, upgrade your essentials, or treat yourself to something new. Simply enter the code BFEA25 at checkout to see the savings instantly applied.

But remember — this special offer won’t last forever. Once the clock strikes midnight on 23 November 2025, the Early Access Sale will end, and prices will return to normal. So don’t wait too long to make your move!

✨ Shop smart. Save big. Celebrate early. ✨

Get a head start on Black Friday and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from shopping early. With incredible discounts, an easy checkout experience, and a wide selection of products, this is the best time to find everything you need — and more.

Start shopping today and make this year’s Black Friday your best one yet! 🖤

#BlackFriday #EarlyAccess #Sale #Savings #HolidayShopping #ShopNow