Build with Mama

01/03/2026

Episode 46 is live! 🚤

This week we’re trying something a bit unconventional — rubber coating our water tank to reduce condensation forming on the outside. On steel boats that moisture can drip straight into the bilges and soak the surrounding steel, so less condensation = a much drier boat 💧

It’s definitely experimental, but if it works it could make a big difference long-term.

We also missed last week’s upload as we went to visit my parents on their narrowboat — they’re planning to sell up soon, so we wanted to help document the boat to help them sell. I’ll share more about their boat in the coming episodes 💛

Watch here 👇
🔗 https://youtu.be/V2lV8Dt4uOo

As always, thank you so much for following along with Project Narrowboat 🕊️

In this episode of our narrowboat build, we coat our steel water tank with liquid rubber to reduce condensation forming on the outside of the tank. There was...

21/02/2026

Took a trip to see a finished boat for a change, today 👏🏼😅

18/02/2026

Well… this isn’t ideal 😬💧

Our water tank was SWEATING — and it’s dripping inside the boat. Not exactly the cosy family space we’re trying to build 🤦‍♀️

So this week we’re trying an experimental fix to stop the condensation before the bow turns into a damp cave 🫠

Boat life definitely keeps us humble… just when you think you’re making progress, something else pops up!

If you live aboard (or have tackled a big DIY project), you’ll know the feeling 😅

🎬 Episode 44 is up now — come see whether our plan works… or totally backfires 👀

👉 https://youtu.be/4QovHK98EIQ?si=BGmhtaJjfKYfk8fp

Have you ever dealt with condensation like this? Any miracle fixes we should know about? Please tell us we’re not alone! 🙏

Our water tank has been “sweating” badly — covered in condensation and dripping into the bow. Not ideal on a boat build! 😬In this episode of Project Narrowb...

15/02/2026

🚢 BIG progress on Project Narrowboat in this episode!

After weeks of grinding, scraping, and treating rust inside the shell, the Vactan has done its job — and we’re finally applying metal primer 💪

This is a HUGE turning point for the build. Instead of just stopping decay, we’re now protecting the steel for the future. Seeing fresh primer going on feels like moving from rescue mode into actual construction… and honestly, it’s a massive morale boost 😅

It’s still messy, still hard work, and still very much a family effort — but step by step this old boat is coming back to life ❤️

Have you ever tackled rust on a big project? Any tips or war stories welcome!

👉 Episode 43 is live now if you want to see the progress

We’ve finally reached a HUGE turning point in the rebuild… the rust treatment has worked, and we’re sealing the steel with metal primer.After weeks of grindi...

14/02/2026

🚤 EPISODE 42 IS LIVE — Rust vs Vactan!

Rust is the never-ending battle on a steel boat… and opinions on rust converters are strong 😅

Some boaters say products like Vactan are essential. Others say they’re completely unnecessary.

So… who’s right?

In this episode we get properly stuck in, treating some very rusty steel and finding out whether Vactan is a miracle fix — or just hype 👀

👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/CCdDYS1aypE

If you’ve used rust converters before, I’d LOVE to hear your experience — swear by them or avoid them?

💛 Thanks for following along with Project Narrowboat

🕊️ Build with Mama

Is Vactan a miracle rust fix… or just hype? 🤔Rust is the enemy of every steel narrowboat, and opinions on rust converters like Vactan are strong. Some boate...

14/02/2026

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this man knows my love language 😍💗 brand new pry bars, and they’re Snap-on Tools… AND they’re PINK!!!

Happy Valentines Day Husband 😘😘

12/02/2026

Ever fixed one problem… only to uncover another?
This time on Project Narrowboat 😅 We found MORE leaks — this time around the windows and under the well deck.
It’s frustrating… but it’s all part of the journey.
Episode 41 is live 👇

If you’ve dealt with narrowboat leaks before, drop your advice below — I’m all ears!

We were supposed to be treating rust this week…Instead, we found MORE water where it definitely shouldn’t be 😩In this episode of Project Narrowboat, we unco...

10/02/2026

Episode 40!! A year on after we started the channel, can't believe how fast it's gone.

Episode 40!! Feels like a real milestone, but not sure why! Cleanup continues, and we make more progress with the rust and the grinder, and looks like we may...

10/02/2026

🪦 RIP Daz🪦

You did us proud 😩😩

08/02/2026

Latest episode out now... thought we'd nailed the leaks, but seems not 😭

In this episode we check out how watertight the mushrooms actually are, and as ever with anything boat related, we quickly find that whilst one problem is fi...

07/02/2026

Got the crew back on the job today… although they behave more like pirates 🏴‍☠️

05/02/2026

Episode 38!!! Answers on a postcard about how to keep condensation off a steel cold water tank please!

After leaving the mushrooms to dry overnight, we finish off fitting them, and hopefully that will leave us without any further leaks (from them at least!). W...