 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
John Milburn being interviewed by BBC Northampton at Crick Boat Show 2008
|
|
|
MILBURN BOATS Ltd. have been fitting out narrow boats for the UK canal system since 1992. We have grown from a father / son team working from the side of the cut, to having our own covered premises, which we moved into in 1998, where we produce our own bespoke joinery. The firm is still family run, although we do employ other staff members and contractors who specialise in their respective fields.
We take great pride in the relationships we have built with our customers, and try to give everyone our personal time. This website is designed to be as informative as we can make it. However, we don't list prices as we would like to keep the personal touch with all potential customers too. If you would like more information that is not available from our website, please feel free to contact us - we welcome any interaction. To request a copy of our brochure, or price details, send an e-mail and we will reply as soon as we can.
Our aim as narrowboat builders is to produce a high quality boat that you can be as proud of as we are to put our name to. Our reputation we have built thus far is your guarantee of the standards we work to. Using the latest technology, combined with the traditional designs of a narrowboat, we
believe we offer a truly unique boat.
We are members of the Canal Boatbuilders Association (CBA), a division of the British Marine Federation (BMF). This enables us to keep up to date with the current building legislation. All our work is carried out using the BMF contract, safeguarding both our clients investments
& our own liability. (For more information see the Purchase Procedures link above.)
 All joinery is custom made in our own workshop to the highest standards, using a variety of environmentally friendly timbers. If you are unsure which timbers to use
in your new narrowboat we have numerous samples in stock to help you decide. Popular have been Ash & Maple giving the boat a modern, light feel, or you may prefer
the traditional Oak. By painting the ceiling / upper sides you can achieve a bright spacious feel, which is again proving a popular choice for many.
Milburn Boats Ltd. have built a number of boats for other trade companies, such as OwnerShips, Stewart Marine and the Surrey Care Trust. We built 49 boats for
the (former) OwnerShips’ fleet between 1999 and 2007. More recently we were commisioned to build the 5-star rated hotel boat 'Lady Teal'. These boats are in constant
use all year round. Designed for constant use these boats have to be very hard wearing. All our boats are built to the same robust standards, so you can rest assured
your boat will last. Our experience derived from producing these boats will be incorporated into your own.
The remainder of our now over 100 boats were built for private customers. The vast majority still belonging to their original owners, giving testimony to the satisfaction
Milburn Boats’ owners enjoy. Many of our previous customers have now become good friends and remain in regular contact. If you would like to speak to any
of these about having your new boat built by Milburn Boats Ltd, we can arrange for them to independantly relate their experience of working with us.
Due to popular demand we have also produced several wide beam craft. These are built to the same high standard as our narrow boats (just bigger!). Take a look at
our new dedicated WIDEBEAM page for more information on these boats we have produced.
Being independent boat fitters we can offer a choice of shell from any of the numerous hull builders around. The majority of our boats now being based on hulls from
Tyler-Wilson Boatbuilders with whom we have an excellent working relationship. We can also supply most makes of engine from all the leading manufacturers (Beta Marine, Nanni, Isuzu, Vetus etc.) and other specialist suppliers, such as windows (Channelglaze, Worcester Marine), hatches (Houdini, Webasto, etc.) worktops (Corian, Granite, etc.) For more information see our LINKS page
You are always welcome to pay us a visit at our workshop to see work in progress. We operate an 'open house' policy, whereby you are welcome to just drop by
to see how the boat is progressing (no appointment neccesary). We usually have two boats under construction at any time in varying stages of completion. Check our
CONTACT page for opening times and contact details.
|
