Boating – what could possibly go wrong? When you’re at peace with the world, your boat meandering through the countryside, it is difficult to imagine that any problems exist. And with a bit of judicious planning, you can certainly do your bit to ensure that problems are kept to a minimum. But inevitably, the odd problems arise, and knowing how to deal with them can make all the difference between a good cruising experience or hours of misery.
Often one of the most common problems is picking up floating debris from the canal, and having it wrap around your propeller. This usually manifests itself in a loss of power, juddering at the tiller, or in extreme cases a complete loss of propulsion.
Weed Hatch and Retaining Bar
Virtually all narrowboats have an access to the propeller through the weed hatch. This is a metal box above the prop shaft in the engine compartment. If a small blast of reverse thrust is insufficient to clear the debris, boaters have little alternative than to disappear into the murky depths and cut off the offending material. Take care – moor up and turn off the engine. Do not simply disengage gear, as any accidental re-engaging of gear whilst the engine is running could have disastrous effects.
Feel, carefully, for the nature of the material you need to clear – don’t just wave your hand around under the water. I have seen people cut their hands badly on a length of barbed wire that had become entangled around the prop. An old serrated knife (a bread knife, for example) is often effective at removing plastic bags or binder twine, but use whatever is needed for the job. Once cleared, replace the weed hatch cover and screw down the securing bar securely to avoid any water entering the engine compartment once the prop starts to rotate. Finally – remember to wash your hands and arms – (see Weil’s disease below.)
Keep Clear of Cill !
Another hazard – easily avoidable as long as attention is paid – is the catching of the boat on a lock cill. Regrettably this does happen occasionally, and is almost always the result of carelessness. Catching a boat on a cill when going down in a lock can lead to tragic and disastrous consequences. Pay close attention that the boat is well clear of the cill markers in any lock, and remember – a boat will move about in a lock as it fills or empties.
Skippers should ensure their boat is kept away from the gates at both ends of the lock. And single handed boaters who tie their boats up when filling or emptying locks should keep a close eye that their ropes are neither so tight the boat is left hanging high and dry, or so loose, it drifts about in a dangerous manner.
Finally, there is the question of can I swim in the canal? The simple and emphatic answer to this is NO. Apart from injuring yourself on hidden obstructions below the surface, there is the possibility of contracting Leptospirosis (sometimes known as Weil’s disease) – caused by infected animal urine entering the bloodstream. This can lead to kidney failure and has led to fatalities.
BUT – and this is the most important thing of all – almost all problems are avoidable and knowing how to handle them will ensure you have a great time on the water.
Anyone who ties a boat up in a lock is asking for trouble. Just because BW were stupid enough to put the bollards there is no reason to use them.
Nice provocative comment here – ‘stupid’ BW have had bollards in locks for as long as I can remember – using this sort of logic you may as well argue that just because ‘stupid’ BW put up ‘No Mooring’ signs near hazards there’s no reason to take notice of them. To many single handed boaters, securing a boat is the only way a lock, particularly a wide lock can be negotiated safely. As the article points out, care must be taken that any securing line is watched. However – thank you for taking interest in the website and forwarding your contribution
I am not qualified to comment really, as I don’t cruise in England (would love to though!), but isn’t it the case that some bollards would have been there for much longer than there has ever been a BW? Or are all these locks new? I would have thought it was dangerous not to tie up in a lock if you are on your own, but then I only know the European locks so cannot tell.
Love the clean and tidy weed hatch. I would not be able to find one of those. Check no leaks when you first switch on engine after closing
Good tip Julie – boaters should ALWAYS check the weed hatch is re-secured after it has been opened and check it is water tight upon starting your engine and putting the boat in gear…
Hi Julie and Colin. We recommend that you put in ignition and battery keys in your pocket whilst you clear debris from the weed hatch. This ensures know body can start the engine whilst the hatch is open and your fingers are in there.
I enjoy reading comments about narrowboat situations,I’m learning so much. I’m selling my house next year and buying a narrowboat to use single handed on the English canals. There is lot’s to think about but it’s the life style I know would suit me. I’ve been on three narrow boat holidays and the more I used them I realise how much boaters help you through the locks. It saves time and their boat can use the lock that much quicker. ‘Bill’
I’m glad you enjoy the comments Bill – every boater has to start somewhere and we all learn something new every day. I hope you continue to find that boaters help you through locks in the future – as you say – we all benefit 😀
With regard to the weed hatch, I would add that there are a few signs for the owner to look out for to indicate that the prop is fouled; vibration through the tiller, loss of power, an increase in engine temperature, or dark smoke from the exhaust.
I would also suggest that the boat owner carries a set of bolt croppers for cutting away barbed wire, shopping trollies, mattresses etc.
Have done the Trent canal system here in Ontario would love to try the locks over there sometime sounds like great fun.