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We design and build beautiful bespoke boats for the inland waterways. We produce boats that operate well and look great with minimal impact on the environment. We are UK specialists in hybrid and have been offering alternative propulsion options since 2013.

Narrowboats and barges

Design and construction

Hybrid and electric boats

Full fit out or sailaway

Get in touch to find out what we can build for you - ring 07759246551 email us at tristarboatsltd@gmail.com or message us on our facebook page: facebook.com/@boatsandbarges/

Come and see us at Crick Virtual Boat Show 2021 A chance to virtually visit some of our faviourite recent projects. Featuring three very different boats in detail, access to behind the scenes footage of our recent boat builds and an insight into our technical expertise with hybrid and electric boats. Find out more about the boats we build and how we can work for you.

IT'S ELECTRIFYING!

Our electric narrowboat project Tissum has a 15kW Bellmarine motor and 800Ah of Lithium ion batteries supported by Betagen10 diesel generator and our largest array of solar panels on a narrowboat at around 2kW. Follow the build on: tissumelectricboat.blogspot.com
or get in touch if you are interested in electric and hybrid propulsion.

THE PIANO BOAT AFLOAT...

PAINTING A LARGE BARGE

Our biggest workshop inhabitant so far! At 70' x 14' The Duchess makes a real impact on the water.

A NARROWBOAT TAKES SHAPE

Classic 50' narrowboat Keel Row has now left the marina. This boat really demonstrates the comforts of a contemporary domestic space inside a compact shell. Watch the build progress on the blog here.

EVERY DAY IS LIKE A HOLIDAY WHEN YOU LIVE ON A BOAT!

Imagine sitting in the sun in the wheelhouse of your very own barge. It could be more affordable than you think. Get in touch if you want to find out more about having a Dutch style barge built for you. And if you have the skills to finish your boat yourself we can offer a lined sailaway or port fitout ready for your finishing touches. (Take a look at our advert in Canal Boat Magazine to see the panorama walk-through.)

The Power of Dreams: a cosy interior with lots of personality.

Hello World: fully dressed and radiant. Have a look at the blog to see more images...

Margaret Wroughton II: A first trip on this beautiful hybrid barge.

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tristar boats...who are we?

We are a family business based in the East Midlands and between us we have many years of design and construction experience in making individual canal boats of all shapes and sizes.

We involve a variety of talented subcontractors, most of whom live on boats, some of us build boats in our spare time, some of us row for fun and two of us travel to work by kayak.

Jeremy has been building boats for more than 20 years. His background in violin repair and scenery for TV and film has given his the essential ability to embrace different ideas while attending to detail.

Michelle has been designing and building boats for 12 years and is responsible for many aspects of the business from planning to project management and from prototype building to financial management.