Design
Individually developed layouts
Plan circulation, storage, natural light and living spaces around your priorities rather than forcing your life into a standard interior.
New Narrowboats for Sale
Find the Oakums that fits your life.
Contemporary new narrowboats created around the way you want to cruise, stay and live on the water. Compare all three ranges, see current diesel and electric starting prices, then develop the layout, propulsion and specification around you.
New boats from £125,000Diesel and electric available
The Oakums approach
A new narrowboat, shaped around your life.
Oakums combines contemporary design, British manufacturing and practical onboard systems. Each commission begins with how the boat will be used, then brings together the layout, materials, propulsion, energy storage and finishes as one considered specification.
Construction
British-built steel hulls
Oakums steel hulls are built by J. Wilson in Sheffield, followed by a carefully managed full fit and documented build process.
Materials
Marine-grade interiors
Oakums uses marine plywood rather than MDF or chipboard, with finishes selected for durability, comfort and a contemporary feel.
Technology
Systems designed together
Diesel or electric propulsion, solar generation, lithium storage, charging and onboard demand are planned as one practical system.
Current range and prices
Start with the right shape of boat.
The price gives you a real starting point. Your final figure depends on the layout, equipment, materials and propulsion you choose.
Open Bow
A sociable forward terrace, a generous interior and a strong connection with the water.
Discover Open Bow →
Closed Bow
Protected year round living with more internal space for longer stays and life aboard.
Discover Closed Bow →
Bowless
A compact design that uses its length for living space without losing Oakums character.
Discover Bowless →Diesel or electric
Choose propulsion around the journey.
Electric propulsion offers quiet cruising and can work with substantial solar and lithium storage. Diesel remains familiar, practical and suitable for many owners.
Oakums discusses cruising patterns, winter use, charging access, onboard demand and budget before recommending a system. The right answer belongs to the complete boat, not a trend or a single headline number.
From first conversation to handover
A clear route to your boat.
Build timing and availability are confirmed when you enquire. Every accepted commission follows defined stages, recorded decisions and scheduled reviews.
01
Consult
Discuss how you will use the boat, your budget, preferred length, propulsion and timing.
02
Design
Develop the layout, finishes, systems and detailed specification around your priorities.
03
Build
Follow agreed stages, inspections, recorded decisions and progress updates.
04
Handover
Receive your completed boat, orientation and the agreed documentation.
Genuine completed work
Explore more than 50 Oakums boats.
The growing archive shows the variety of exterior treatments, layouts and interior approaches already delivered. The available individual pages reveal how colour, light, materials and practical details came together for different owners.
Explore Previous Builds →A complete commission
Look beyond the first impression.
A new narrowboat has to remain beautiful while working as a home, a vehicle and a collection of connected technical systems. Oakums develops the visible design and the less visible decisions together.
Liveability
Furniture, circulation, privacy, storage and natural light are resolved around the people who will actually use the boat.
Energy
Propulsion, batteries, solar, charging and domestic demand are considered as one energy plan rather than unrelated upgrades.
Longevity
Marine-grade materials, practical equipment access, documented decisions and a clear handover support life beyond launch day.
Make an informed choice
What should a buyer consider?
A good specification begins with honest decisions about use, budget and compromise. Oakums has built the supporting information to help you make those decisions before you commit.
Compare the ranges
See Open Bow, Closed Bow and Bowless side by side.
Compare the Collection →Understand the energy system
Learn how motors, batteries, charging and solar work together.
Explore electric →Build a realistic budget
Review current starting prices and the choices that affect the final specification.
Read the price guide →Start your Oakums
Choose your starting point.
Request the current prices and brochure, or arrange a private conversation about the range that best suits you.