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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

How to clear the propeller from debris

Propellers can become tangled with rubbish lying underneath the surface of the water, as well as leaves and other vegetation. It will slow the boat down considerably so that even at full power you are travelling more slowly than expected.

A few short bursts of reverse gear every now and again should clear any build-up of leaves, as we describe in our video:

If this method doesn’t work, you will need to shut off the engine, take the key out and venture down the weedhatch. This is under the back deck.

Once you have lifted the deck, you will be able to remove the weedhatch by unscrewing any visible bolts. This will enable you to directly reach the propeller and untangle any debris that is caught or wrapped around.

Afterwards, fasten the lid back securely. Once you set off, look to check that the lid isn’t leaking before you return the back deck into place.

Getting stuck on shallow ground
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Turning round
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