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
Safety
5
Internal tour
Each boat has a different layout but they all have some things in common. Here's what you need to know...
4
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
Boat return and timing
1
- 6.1
  Returning to the marina
Quiz
1
- 7.1
  Holiday Boat Preparation Quiz
  6 Questions

Turning round

Turning a narrowboat requires lots of space and that usually means finding a Winding Hole – or turning point. These are marked on your map and are often miles apart, so you need to plan ahead.

A Winding Hole is usually a large notch cut into the side of the canal. It is not always signposted, so you do need to keep an eye on the map to make sure you don’t go past it.

To turn, drive the boat slowly into the notch so that the boat comes to rest gently with the front touching the bank.

Keeping your tiller in the same position, gently engage FORWARD gear. The boat will then pivot against the bank, all the while touching.

Once your boat’s length is close to the bank, you can engage REVERSE. Take the boat back a long way out of the Winding Hole and when you are clear, you can then drive on forwards and away.

If you would like to see this process in action, have a look at the video below which was filmed on a 66 foot boat.

How to clear the propeller from debris

Mooring up the easy way