Get Cracking-it's Crick

摘要

It might have had more than its share of bad luck in the recent years with stormy weather and a fire in a nearby factory. But that's never stopped people who are serious about buying a narrowboat from heading to Northants for Crick Boat Show, the premier inland boat show. And the signs are that this year's event on May 23-25 will be just as good: despite the economic downturn 20 boatbuilders were confirmed with bookings still coming in as we went to press. This looks like it might just be the year of the hybrid drive. Coupling a diesel engine to an electric motor/generator to allow a certain amount of silent electric cruising has been talked about and occasionally Mailed for years, but at Crick you can see it for real in three boats: new craft from Braidbar and Ownerships, plus Hybrid Marine's retro-fit installation in an existing boat.