Single Handed Canal Boating Top Ten Tips

Canals can be a risky environment for all boaters. But if you are boating single handed then the risks can be much greater, and your response can be much more difficult.

The water isn’t deep, but it’s often weedy, muddy and cold. Uneven towpaths, tangled ropes and heavy slow moving boats all have the potential for causing bruises, broken bones and worse. Then there’s the risks of the boat caught up on lock gates or flooded by incorrectly opened paddles. Plus dangers from basic stuff like water ingress from weed hatches not properly fastened or leaking hulls, and fires from overheating solid fuel stoves. And all this can take place in a remote setting, miles from roads and help.

Boating single handed increases those risks because when you are boating you often seem to need to be in two places at once, and when things do go wrong deal with problems on your own.

But single handed boating has lots of attractions, and increasing number of canal boaters are enjoying the freedom and flexibility of ‘going it alone’.

So to safely enjoy single handed canal boater you must take extra care and be prepared for those extra challenges that you will face.

Here’s our Top Ten Tips for safe single handed canal boating.

1. 1. Know how to use your ropes, knots and bollards.
   Vital to slow, stop or move the boat when you are on the towpath or lockside.
2. 2. Get a centre rope and central fixings.
   A centre rope should give much more control than ropes to the bow or stern
3. 3. Keep tidy and safe decks, roof, handrails and gunwales.
   You need to be able to leave, board and move along your boat safely.
4. 4. Have a safe and comfortable control and steering position.
   Stand safely, not alongside the tiller, where you can reach other controls and see gauges.
5. 5. Keep refreshments, protective clothing, etc. close to hand
   Things you are likely to need should be accessible without having to stop the boat.
6. 6. Develop and use a safe locking technique
   A range of options depending on the locks, use of engine or ladders, how fit you are!
7. 7. Develop a safe way of opening and closing bridges
   A challenge for single handed boaters because you have to moor on the offside bank.
8. 8. Work with helpers if you want them
   It’s your boat, supervise what lockside helpers or other boaters are doing for you.
9. 9. Show consideration for other boaters
   Other boaters may be helpful, but not all appreciate a slower single handed boater.
10. 10. Plan for safety, take your time
    Be aware of what challenges lie ahead, don’t get rushed but perhaps let others go ahead.

We’ve more information about Safe Single Handed Canal Boating in our Boating Skills advice pages.