Watch The Boat that Guy Built

2011
1 Season
8.2 (115)

The Boat that Guy Built stands as a celebration of British engineering and resourcefulness aired on BBC One in 2011. The show follows Guy Martin, a renowned truck mechanic and motorcycle racer, as he embarks on a journey by canal, on a boat he renovates himself using British-made products and guided by British innovational history. Throughout the six-part series, he deals with various restoration projects on his barge, named 'Reckless,' proving his skills in engineering, innovation, and upcycling.

The premise of the show takes us into a different dimension of the reality-documentary TV genre by integrating history, travel, and education within the captivating world of do-it-yourself projects. What makes this series unique is its emphasis on using only British-made components, tying back to the industrial history of Britain. Guy Martin consistently maintains this authentic connection to British heritage, from the industrial revolution era to the modern development era. His adventures bring to life the historical values, promoting a sense of national pride and discovery with every episode.

The series begins with Guy buying a rundown narrowboat that he intends to rebuild. His affection for this forgotten piece of British history couples with his passion for mechanical projects, creating an enjoyable and enlightening viewing experience. Each episode introduces a particular part of the boat that needs fixing. These range from installing a classic coal-fired range, rebuilding a centuries-old steam engine, to creating a toilet and a shower. He extends his creative genius by using aspects of Britain's industrial past to craft these modern creature comforts.

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The Boat that Guy Built is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between March 2, 2011 and on BBC One

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Seasons

6. The Homecoming

April 6, 2011

To celebrate the end of the project, Guy Martin shows off the renovated boat at a party, learns how to prepare Victoria sponge, and shoots a commemorative Victorian-style portrait with a 150-year-old camera. However, the maiden voyage is hampered by bad water and weather conditions, as the narrowboat struggles through inch-thick ice.

5. Make a Boat a Home

March 30, 2011

Guy and his best mate Mave decide to give their historic narrowboat a makeover. They learn about the most influential British interior designer of all, William Morris, while trying to stick up wallpaper he originally designed. They then master the fine art of narrowboat painting, and attempt their own version of the traditional decoration of castles and roses. Finally, Guy visits Paradise Mill in Macclesfield to learn how to weave silk for an interior decoration, using what is considered to be one of the first computers.

4. Beans on Toast

March 23, 2011

Motorcycle racer and engineering enthusiast Guy Martin makes a tin can using a 200-year-old technique, bakes his own traditional bread, and learns why the best cutlery uses Sheffield steel, all to make the perfect meal of beans on toast.

3. A Good Night's Sleep

March 16, 2011

Guy visits an Industrial Revolution cotton mill to weave his own sheets on 19th-century looms, then builds his own mattress at the mattress-supplier to the Queen, in a bid to get a good night's sleep on board his narrowboat. He also makes his own version of another great British invention - an alarm clock.

2. A Nice Hot Shower

March 9, 2011

Guy decides to use a steam engine to power the shower on board his aptly-named narrowboat, Reckless. He also visits the factory of famous lavatory manufacturer Thomas Crapper to conduct a 'flush-off' between 19th-century loos.

1. A Cup of Tea

March 2, 2011

In this episode, he builds his own 18th-century blast furnace to cast an iron pot so he can boil some water, then learns how to throw his own traditional Wedgwood mugs so he can enjoy a perfect old-school cup of tea.

Description

Where to Watch The Boat that Guy Built

The Boat that Guy Built is available for streaming on the BBC One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Boat that Guy Built on demand at Amazon Prime.