Cruising
Throttle settings
It is rare for the throttle to need to be set at more than half speed other than for manoeuvring. High throttle settings result in breaking wash, bank damage, use of more fuel – and it will slow you down!
Getting under way
After making the routine checks, start the engine and leave it running for a few minutes with the gear in neutral. Cast off the mooring lines and get them and the spikes onboard. Coil up the lines so that they are ready for use again when you need them. Have your crew ready with the pole and get them to push the boat towards the middle of the canal, clear of the shallow water near the bank. Push the gear lever forward and your off!
Navigating on the level
Canals vary greatly in depth and so your speed will vary accordingly. DO NOT try to go faster in shallow water by opening up the throttle, as this only stresses the engine without increasing your speed. A good guide is your wash – if the wave from the back of the boat breaks against the bank, you have the throttle open to far, so close it one notch at a time until the wave stops breaking. You have then got the best and most efficient setting.
As a general rule you should keep to the centre of the waterway, since the water is deeper there and there is usually little or no weed. On sharp bends keep to the outside about 4 or 5 feet from the bank. When meeting other craft KEEP RIGHT – there is a natural tendency to close the throttle, don’t do this unless the canal is particularly narrow or shallow. When passing moored craft SLOW DOWN. You are steering a fairly large and heavy boat and you wash is considerable – it may displace articles not firmly secured or even pull out the mooring spikes on the craft your passing.
Rules of the road
On inland waterways always keep the RIGHT when passing a boat coming from the opposite direction.
If you overtake another boat you do so on the left and at a slow speed
It is not always possible to pass on the right eg; when a boat is being towed from the towing path, pass on the “wrong side” ie; the left.
Sound you horn twice to let the other boat know.
DO NOT overtake on a bend, near a bridge, lock or when you cannot see a clear way ahead. When being overtaken by another boat, slow down so as to just have steerage way.
You usually find deeper water on the outside of bends, but look out for other craft. Pleasure craft should keep well clear upstream or downstream of commercial craft whilst they are manoeuvring at wharfs, staithes, in locks, etc. watch out for sea going vessels, they have limited manoeuvrability.
Speed Limits
4 miles per hour is the limit on most inland waterways. This is about a fast walking pace.
You must observe the speed limits at all times
When you are passing fishermen, moored boats and small unpowered craft such as rowing boats, reduce speed to a level which causes minimum disturbance.
Slow down before you reach bends, bridges, locks, tunnels or repair works. In shallow water you boat will actually travel faster if you reduce engine speed, so plan your trip with leisure in mind.
Turning the boat around
Once you have decided that you have enough room for the manoeuvre, slow right down and then turn the front end of the boat into the opening or nudge it gently against the canal side, keeping the back of the boat in the main channel as far as possible. When the boat has stopped, push the back end around using the long pole. Once the boat is almost round, gently reverse out asking a member of your crew to be ready with the pole to assist in turning the front end of the boat back into the canal.
Stopping
It is not possible to stop your boat in less than its own length, in fact you should allow 40 to 50 metres to slow down and stop. As you slow down steering will become less precise and wind will also affect the boat, so be ready to drift as you slow down.
You will need to use reverse gear to stop. Select early and use as much throttle as you need. Once the boat has stopped put the gear into neutral and the boat will stay where it is, but be ready with the pole to correct any drift.
Mooring
On rivers it is suggested that you moor with the front of the boat facing upstream. On tidal waters moor with the front facing the tide. NEVER TIE YOUR ROPES ACROSS THE TOWING PATH. Use rings or bollards as provided or hammer your stakes on the canalside of the path.
Usually the bank opposite the towing path is private property. On river navigations both banks are often private property.
When mooring do not expect to be able to pull up close into the bank every time. Very often you will have to moor 4 or 5 feet out because of shallow water. There is a boarding plank on the roof of your boat to assist you with boarding.
To moor safely, get the bows in first. Then get a crew member ashore with the bow rope, if necessary, holding the stern in with a pole. They should knock in a mooring spike and secure the bow rope with plenty of slack in it. Throw in the stern rope and they can pull the boat in, knock in a second spike and finally secure both bow and stern ropes.
Please be careful NOT to moor where you will obstruct the canal eg; on a bend, by a bridge or close to a lock.
Remember
Where possible boats should moor at approved temporary mooring places where facilities for rubbish disposal etc, can be found.
Swimming
It is an offence to swim in canals and river navigations. Swimming in these waters is dangerous.
Locks
Always push a lock gate open or shut, never leave gates or sluices open when leaving a lock unless you can see a boat approaching – in which case you should leave the gates open to assist them.
Never use the boat to operate/move a lock gate. Always close the paddles and when you leave a lock on the canal. Always close the lock gates after you use them unless another boat is about to go in.
On the river always close the paddles but you leave the gate open when you leave.
Always check to see if another boat can use the water before you reset a lock for you to use, if it was set against you when you arrived.
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