For example is it the steering of the boat itself,working the locks.
Am travelling from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire & probably heading towards Hebdon Bridge way.
2007-08-13 10:07:41 · 14 answers · asked by terry 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Veg-Rose,quite right,i nearly died when i found out how much it cost,another case of rip off Britain.
I only went ahead with it as it is something i've always wanted to do.
2007-08-13 10:33:03 · update #1
Once you get used to the tiller action you should have no problem on that score. The most dangerous aspect of canal cruising is the locks, but please don`t let me alarm you. They are safe if treated with respect.
Basically, a lock is a big hole which is filled with water, which gets into and out of the hole by means of sluices. Sluices are relatively small holes through which vast amounts of water flow through in a matter of minutes, hence the flow will draw anything in at a terrific rate.
You see many young children wanting to help their parents,and running around the top of the lock. Keep them at a safe distance.
Open the paddles at a slow rate, a couple of turns at a time, until the surge settles and gives the helmsman time to adjust.
Watch for the marks on the walls of the lock which denote the cill(or wall at the bottom of the canal on the descent) which could foul the rudder and tip the boat.Keep as far forward as possible while descending, which will mean compensating for the swirl of the water.
Don`t forget to close the lock gates behind you, unless there is a boat going through the other way.
After all that, don`t cancel and book a caravan holiday.
Have a super time, just treat the canal with respect, and be prepared to start looking at buying a boat of your own.
2007-08-13 10:27:57 · answer #1 · answered by firebobby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Working the locks needs care, but should be ok. Getting a 7 foot narrow boat through a 7½ foot bridge takes a bit of skill, but hire boat owners accept a few scuffs. I found the tricky bit was berthing in a cross wind or leaving a mooring when the wind was the other way. Many hands and ropes are useful, as long as enough people know what they are doing!
2007-08-15 00:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
going slow.
hire boaters have a real reputation for going too fast on the open canal, passing boats, at locks.
take your time, you'll get so much more out of it if your do.
Don't overstretch your cruising hours.
If you find you are revving the boat to stop etc, you are doing something wrong.
people will help you if you are careful, if you are revving and creating wash and bumping into stuff you will get no help and create bad feeling.
Your route will be narrow locks so no problem there, just keep away from the cill at the back when going down a lock and don't tie up in narrow locks - leave someone at the tiller to control the boat and someone holding a landline.
Its not "another case of rip off Britain", try working out the costs of running a hire boat before making such assumptions....see.... you've already wound up one boat owner before you start !
2007-08-13 23:57:30 · answer #3 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the inventory supplied by the hire company.There may well be duvets but no sheets or pillow cases. Something to amuse yourselves should the weather be less than perfect, especially if you have children. It has already been mentioned that a Nicholsons guide for the waters you will be cruising is an absolute must. If you like a tipple, take a supply as canalside pubs are like motorway services, your a captive audience. Another absolute must is life jackets for the kiddies, or even the adults, if they are non swimmers. Enjoy your holiday, but beware, you`ll want your own boat when you return.
2016-05-17 05:11:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the length of the boat but steering can be tricky the boat steers from the centre of the boat so you have to think ahead a bit to get it correct especially when entering a lock. the hardest thing is emptying the toilets onboard. the locks are easy, but think about the people ahead and behind you.
2007-08-13 10:45:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Steering is no problem.
Locks are easy as long as you have enough people onboard
to help - be careful and dont forget your tools leaving lock.
Freshwater can be a problem - dont sail past a watertap
unless you are almost filled up.
Pumping out sewertank shoulnt be necessary for 1 - 2 week
trip.
Happy sailing.
2007-08-13 18:53:10 · answer #6 · answered by swenson0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing to look out for is going too close to another boat when moving. there is a thing called interaction That draws the two together if they are moving fast and are close. You will notice it if it happens because the two will try to head for each other as they pass. the best thing to do when passing another boat is to slowdown. and keep as large a distance between tha boats as possible with out being too close to the banks.
2007-08-17 07:07:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you are about to find out, the normal speed limit on the canal network is 4mph. It therefore follows in my experience, that the most difficult thing to pick up is fast women!!!
Hope you enjoy trying.
2007-08-16 04:50:47 · answer #8 · answered by jacyinbg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all pretty straightforward if you remember:
1) Everything happens slowly
2) There's no brakes
3) Hire boats come at the bottom of the pecking order
2007-08-13 10:13:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Watch out for blonde women on the tiller.
2007-08-15 06:10:38 · answer #10 · answered by overmyknee1968 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋