Water Rat

This is the original design from 1970, which was based on a Thames camping punt. Many still remain. They have flat fronts and short bow and stern decks. Very early ones have “vee” roofs and were built with plywood cabin sides.

This picture shows one of the first Water Rats near Aynho, on the Oxford Canal .

Beaver

Beavers are more numerous, and popular with their owners, because of the larger rear deck, which easily accommodates four people.The Beaver and its derivatives have pointed bows, giving a more boat-like appearance than the flat fronted Water Rat.

Beavers were constructed by Ian Graham up until 1995, and are now made by Clearwater boats.

This picture is of a Beaver 23 in Ireland

Otter

The Otter shares the same 4.5m cabin as the Beaver, but has a shorter rear deck. The shorter overall length may, in some cases, reduce marina mooring charges, and licence charges. It also helps getting the most boats into a large lock during club cruises.

This picture shows an Otter being recovered at the Moira slipway on the Ashby Canal.

Cub

The Cub is the smallest, and depending on the design can be short cabin/long rear deck, or vice versa.

The Cub’s length was chosen to fit into the lower French licensing category, as well as reducing weight to allow it to be towed by vehicles other than a “big 4x4”. Only five Cubs were built.

This picture shows a Cub at Castlenaudray on the Canal du Midi in the South of France