Narrow boats are a type of boat that is traditionally used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are typically long and narrow, with a flat bottom and a shallow draft, making them ideal for navigating the shallow canals of the region. The term 'narrow boat' can refer to a variety of vessels, including canoes, shells, and gondolas. Canoes are small, lightweight boats that are propelled by paddles. Shells are open-topped boats that are propelled by oars. Gondolas are long, narrow boats that are propelled by a single oar. All three types of boats are commonly used on the narrow canals of the United Kingdom and Ireland.