Ortomarine first started building narrowboats in 2015, after an opportunity arose to bring the benefit of their industrial automation background and experience into the inland waterways boat-building industry.

The highly experienced and skilled team are led by Rob Howdle and Caroline Badger who have successfully run the parent company, Ortomader Ltd, together since 2001. After successfully building 18 diesel powered narrowboats plus 10 further boats with electric propulsion, the decision was made in 2021 to only accept orders for boats with some form of electric propulsion.

There are now nearly 50 Ortomarine boats cruising the canals, including 12 parallel hybrids (one of which was a conversion from diesel), 16 series hybrids (one of which was also a conversion from diesel, and one a conversion from a parallel hybrid!) and 3 all-electric day-trip boats built for charitable trusts. 

There are also a further 6 series hybrid boats built by other boat builders fitted with the Ortomate boat control and monitoring system and electric propulsion systems as specified by Ortomarine.

Not being tied to any single manufacturer of equipment and having completed extensive research and trials in order to offer customers the most suitable electric boat for their individual living and cruising needs, Ortomarine is uniquely placed in the industry and is constantly developing and improving the systems offered to both trade and private customers.

Rob has more than 30 years’ experience in industrial automation and electrical engineering.  This, coupled with Caroline’s keen eye for design and ability to work with customers to realise their dreams, has been instrumental in the success seen over the past 10 years.  Both are keen to innovate and push the narrowboat industry forward towards a greener future.

As well as being the largest gathering in one place of electric narrowboats (including several Ortomarine boats) Electrika provides a great opportunity for both trade and the public to discuss all aspects relating to electric boating and off-grid living.

The power and flexibility of the Ortomate system will be on display.  Bringing information from all of the electrical equipment on the boat into one central monitoring and control system ensures that everything works efficiently together, helping to safeguard your investment. 

There will be the opportunity to see various different propulsion systems on different boats, plus the Ortopilot system (for remote manoeuvring) in action, and to chat to existing owners about their experience of owning an Ortomarine electric narrowboat.  We look forward to encouraging everyone to “Go Green”!