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Preparation for your narrowboat trip

  • Day Boat course
  • Holiday Boat course
  • Boat hire
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  • Boat hire
  • Contact us
  • Boat hire
  • Contact us
Union Wharf courses

Union Wharf courses

Preparation for your narrowboat trip

  • Day Boat course
  • Holiday Boat course
  • Boat hire
  • Contact us
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Holiday Boat Preparation Course

Curriculum

  • 7 Sections
  • 24 Lessons
  • Lifetime
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
  • The skipper's responsibilities
    2
    • 1.1
      All about the skipper
    • 1.2
      Arrival
  • Boat handling
    This section explains how to control your narrowboat.
    7
    • 2.1
      The throttle gearbox and setting off
    • 2.2
      Steering, speed limits and driving on the right hand side
    • 2.3
      Getting stuck on shallow ground
    • 2.4
      How to clear the propeller from debris
    • 2.5
      Turning round
    • 2.6
      Mooring up the easy way
    • 2.7
      Tying up
  • Safety
    5
    • 3.1
      Drinking and cruising
    • 3.2
      Avoiding fire risks
    • 3.3
      People on deck
    • 3.4
      Falling into the canal
    • 3.5
      Daily checks and diesel
  • Internal tour
    Each boat has a different layout but they all have some things in common. Here's what you need to know...
    4
    • 4.1
      Gas and electricity
    • 4.2
      Toilets
    • 4.3
      Water supply
    • 4.4
      Beds and bedding
  • Waterways features
    We have lots more information, photographs and videos of the canal features around Market Harborough, on our main website www.unionwharfharborough.co.uk. This section covers the most important features.
    5
    • 5.1
      Operating the Road Swing Bridge between Market Harborough and Foxton
    • 5.2
      Operating the Foot Swing Bridge just before Foxton Basin
    • 5.3
      Locks
    • 5.4
      Foxton Locks
    • 5.5
      Tunnels
  • Boat return and timing
    1
    • 6.1
      Returning to the marina
  • Quiz
    1
    • 7.1
      Holiday Boat Preparation Quiz
      6 Questions

Getting stuck on shallow ground

If you go aground, don’t try to force your way over the obstacle or you’ll find yourself even more stuck. Instead, use reverse gear to back away into deeper water.

If you’re firmly stuck, ask some or all of the crew to move to the side of the boat that’s in deeper water and rock very gently.

You can also use the pole to push off against a solid object or the bed of the waterway.

Steering, speed limits and driving on the right hand side
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How to clear the propeller from debris
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