Brinklow Boat Services

In 1996 Steve Priest, Rex Wain and Simon Wain restored the previously abandoned wharfside and buildings at Stretton Wharf on the Oxford Canal to set up Brinklow Boat Services. This boatyard has become a unique centre on the system for both the restoration of traditional working narrowboats, and all aspects of high quality boatfitting. At any one time there are more ex-working craft to be seen than at any museum.

Brinklow Boat Services can claim to be part of the original canal tradition benefiting from long association with the source of the necessary craft skills - the narrowboat itself. Everyone has steered pairs of working boats for a living and the list of boats worked on or owned is too numerous to mention.

Simon Wain is widely known for building replicas as well as the complete restoration and ‘conversion’ of original working hulls.
Steve Priest also has over 3 decades of experience in the restoration and repair of working boats to the most exacting, historically accurate standards.
Rex Wain, a time-served boat and ship builder, has 33 years of experience, making him both a leading authority and a producer of the finest and most correct work on the canal.

Brinklow Boat Services, experts on the restoration of traditional narrowboats and high quality boatfitting