The Canal & River Trust’s National Boat Count, conducted across the charity’s waterways each year, has seen a 1.5% increase in boat numbers together with an increase in unlicensed boats, with evasion standing at 9.9%*.
Nationally, 33,080 boats were recorded on the Trust’s enforceable waters. The most populous regions, London & South East and the West Midlands, saw increases of 3.5% and 3.6% respectively.
Numbers of boats without home moorings increased by 11.9% (to 8,519 boats), while boats with home moorings declined by 1.8% (to 23,889 boats)**. Approximately 92% of boats with home moorings are licensed compared to 84% of boats without home moorings.
You can read the press release here: National Boat Count 2025 PR 310725