How to Control a Canal Boat

Canal boats are long, narrow boats that navigate the slim canals and rivers of Europe and America. The boats are sluggish and awkward for new drivers but a little bit of caution and some a few pointers can get you controlling the canal boat with ease and finesse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make sure all lines are slipped, your rudder and propeller are clear and you aren't trailing any lines before you head off of the dock. Check the tiller to make sure it's connected correctly to the rudder and review the gearbox settings so you know how to disengage the engine (into neutral) and how to put it into forward and reverse.
2. Start the engine by disengaging the gear box (placing the gear lever into neutral) and turning the key in the ignition to its first setting and leaving it there. Generally, a light should illuminate to let you know the ignition is connected. Turn the key to its second position to preheat the engine and wait 20 seconds or so. Then turn the ignition to the full start position.
3. Slip your stern line first if the wind and water are clam and there's no significant current (if there's a downstream current slip the bow lines first and then quickly slip stern lines). Push the stern away from the dock or mooring and then kick the engine into gear with the lightest possible throttle on.
4. Allow the stern to swing out and away from the dock a little and then straighten the boat out by steering the bow in the direction of the stern. Control the steering by moving the tiller in the opposite direction that you want the bow of the boat to go. So, if you want to turn left (as you face forward) move the tiller to the right.
5. Understeer the boat by using minimal throttle and only a few degrees of rudder turn. Put the tiller back to the center before the boat completes its turn since the heavy boat will continue turning even once the rudder is straight.
6. Plan to slow or stop the boat as much in advance as possible so you can disengage the gearbox and let the canal boat shed speed. If you find that you're losing control of the boat as you slow down, punch the throttle slightly to give you more steerage. To stop more effectively, put the boat in reverse (after stopping in neutral) and punching the reverse throttle a few times to get the boat stationary.