• 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!

Back again on shelves. I have covered this in part with other articles, but I wanted to do a whole piece highlighting some of the beautiful custom and made to order shelves we have made and could make for you. Below I describe some different styles and sample pieces, along with some photos of each to show you what can be done.

I’ve often said, making use of vertical space in a boat is key to making the best of the room in your boat. Shelves, cost-effective and attractive, are ideal to do this. Whether it’s angled walls, where our Ellie Shelf and Fixed Angle Shelf rule supreme, or bulkheads where the straight vertical space can be used for any type of shelving. Under gunwale too, shallow but handy, and can be easily fitted out with our Bespoke Under Gunwale Shelving
When I think shelves, I think books.

We have built libraries for houses and boats. With these Ash and Oak libraries, we had plenty of space to play with and a budget to use some high quality hardwoods which are both beautiful and durable. Adjustable shelving makes them versatile as well.

With this sapele library, we had the opportunity to a wealth of shelving in this boat library. There’s a combination of large and small shelving so that the client could house their extensive collection of books and graphic novels. We used space on bulkheads and under the gunwales to really pack in the storage. For something roomy but a little simpler, this ply shelving has a very modern feel to it and offer lots of room.

Shelves work well doubled up with other storage. Cupboards beneath are a classic alcove storage solution.

These were solid oak and then hand veneered (cold pressed) slab doors to make this beautiful cupboard shelf combo.

I really love this bulkhead shelving, where we combined adjustable shelving above with wicker storage baskets below. You can hide away lots of stuff in the baskets and display your treasured belongings above.

S is for Shelves

For something a little more unique, I am a huge fan of live edge timber. You can read a bit more about live edge timber and why it’s so special in my “What Wood – Live Edge” article, but the tiger oak shelves we made are a wonderful example. There is just so much character to them. It’s not just the undulations of the edge, but the rich colours and patterns of the grain.

Another favourite of mine is the London plane desk and shelf. This was a piece of timber I acquired speculatively at a timber yard while buying some other bits, and it sat for several years waiting to find a home.

I have also included another desk/shelf combo, but this one in solid oak. The scalloped edges are all hand carved and are inspired by work I did on a vardo, which had this style of decoration on a lot of the surfaces. The decoration adds a lightness, while the thickness of the oak gives it a robust and solid feel.

Whatever you need, we can make it. Get in touch, and we would love to design something with you.

S Is for Shelves is part of the A to Z of Narrowboats series.

A wheelhouse is one of my favourite jobs. There is lots of interesting designing to resolve, the job itself is complex joinery and the finished article is an impressive and beautiful piece that is going to be around for potentially longer than me.

It also means a good two months pottering in the workshop, which is my happy place. Machining great piles of timber (there is around 1-2 cubic metres of timber used in a large wheelhouse), cutting joints and more sanding than I really care to think about.

The general process, once overall outline and budget have been established, is to begin with measuring and templating the space. I make a 3D model of the relevant area on my laptop so I can build the wheelhouse in CAD later, and the finer details of the angles and undulations of the surface are captured in template. This is done by shaving, scribing and cutting lots of strips of scrap wood (ply, MDF, sterling board, whatever is to hand) and screwing them together.

Transporting the template to the workshop allows me to replicate the wheelhouse base as it will be and do as much work as possible offsite. Before this, I must design every element of the wheelhouse. As each one is unique, and made of many unique parts, this takes around a week.

By carefully creating everything virtually first I can resolve many potential issues before they happen. I can see how all the part will fit and make sure everything works as it should. Additionally, it allows me to make a comprehensive materials list and cutting list, even to size all the windows ready for production.

There are 200–300 hours of manufacturing in a wheelhouse, so it’s important to be as efficient as possible. Having my advance list means I can group jobs, getting them processed as quickly as possible. This might be 2 days simply machining parts, a couple more cutting all the elements of the windows. With an audiobook on in my Bluetooth ear defenders I am a cloud of dust for a couple of weeks.

Assembling all the parts often throws up unexpected problems to solve. Even a full 3D model never completely prepares you for all real life applications. But up it goes, and once the base, windows and wall plate are in place, the roof can begin.

Making the curved pieces of the roof is something of wonder in itself.  My technique, which I must admit was inspired by Gilberto Marqueti who I used to work with, involves a bandsaw to cut rough ribs and then (post planning) shaping on the spindle moulder with a guide wheel and template.

Using only the ringfence on the spindle moulder, with a 4″ block spinning at 3000rpm is a little intimidating at first. But set up correctly and with an auto feed to assist, it is safe and gives remarkable results.

One of the most time-consuming parts of the roof is cutting all the halving joints that hold the sections together. There can be 30-60 of these, each with (of course) two halves to cut. I use an internal guttering system to allow the roof sections to remain separate but watertight. The channels in between are a matching wood, with an aluminium gutter insert. This is carefully shaped (I put it on two supports and sit on it) into a perfectly matching curve.

Structure complete, trims are added, ironmongery fitted, and all the fine details are done.  The roof is clad and edged, I use Vekaplan S with aluminium trims on the side.  I can then test out every element of the structure in the real world. Finally, it is time for oil.

I sand everything as I go, this is the best way to get a good finish, so once I have dismantled it all and removed all the ironmongery etc, I give it a final wipe down and start applying oil. The exact process depends on the species of wood used and the desired finish, but I typically like to start with a penetrating oil.

There are multiple coats to apply, and this process will stretch over another week. In the meantime, the glass will arrive and once it’s all finished and dry, the glazing begins. All the units are placed in, and the glazing bars glued and nailed to keep it secure in perpetuity.

Glazed, oiled and as complete as can be, all the parts go to site. This can be anywhere in the network, but hopefully a spot with reasonable access and a good local café! The wheelhouse is then rebuilt onto the boat. With luck this required minimal fettling, but it can still take up to a week to complete.

And that’s it, that’s how I build a wheelhouse. Check out the “what wood” articles if you want to know a bit more about the materials used and do, of course, get in touch if I can help you build something like this for your boat. It would be my pleasure.

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.

First off, while we do make fully custom kitchens, a lot of what we do is “off shelf”, with just a few tweaks. Standard carcasses fit well in boats. While a true bespoke kitchen is great, you can get a similar effect for a lot less.

Some interesting features to look out for in kitchens are various storage solutions like:

Kidney carousels and ¾ carousels for corner cupboards

Pull out worktops (great for boats!)

Plinth drawers, to really maximise space

“Wine Cellars” in the bilge, a bit of a Cluett Carpentry boat special

Wall cupboards and shelving normally need a bit more adaptation to fit the sloped walls of a narrowboat but can look very nice when done well. I like to utilise offcuts of the worktop to make shelving, tying it all together in a cohesive theme.

Speaking of worktops, have you considered stainless steel tops if you want a professional kitchen feel? Or how about elements of live edge timber or something more rural and warmer. Reclaimed wood is gorgeous for doors and panels if you want to go really rustic. 

I make all our carcasses with birch ply (incidentally, another interesting worktop option!) though rigid MFC carcasses from the big-name suppliers will probably last long enough, all things considered. 

Whatever your style and budget, there is so much you can do with your kitchen, and in a smaller space like a boat it really is key to make this heart of the home pull its weight. 

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.