HELM
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We shall of course give you some tuition on all of the controls for your hired vessel. But before then, here are some key things to boating which you can bear in mind.
JUST DRIFT!!
The most common thing we see is overuse of the throttle and gear control. Going too fast when are bringing the boat into land and going forward and backwards too much. The best tip we can give you is to approach your target at slow speed and drift slowly towards where you are going, having the boat in neutral and drifting from at least 20 meters away. This will help you see the effects the wind and any current are having on your boat. Once you have the boat set on a good path to your target, you can go back into gear for a short time and apply some steering, and then go back to neutral, and repeat. Just keep adding little and sparingly. If you are going too fast then one quick blast in reverse will stop the boat. When you get close enough to your target, you can ask your crew to hang on to the bank or pontoon until you can get the ropes sorted. We strongly advise you to use the boat hooks provided to make this easier. In the rowing boats, put your oars away early and use the small paddles provided. Also in the row boats, pull the kill cord away from the motor to shut the engine down before you get too close. If the engine is still running whilst you are trying to tie up, chaos ensues...
BE POLITE
Don't overtake if you are barely going any faster than the boat in front. Just chill out and enjoy the ride. If you are transiting locks then make sure you wait your turn to enter the lock (behind waiting boats already there). Don't be afraid to ask other skippers their intentions such as, "do you think i could fit through the lock with you?" or, "would you like us to assist you with the lock?". Being confident and on the front foot will make you look like a pro. Give other river users plenty of room, especially those smaller than you in non powered craft such as canoes and paddleboards.
MIND YOUR WASH
These boats are all limited to do approximately 6mph. They may be slightly faster with less weight onboard. That said, they can still create a bow wave known as 'wash'. These are the very pretty waves you will see peeling off the back of the boat. Where possible, stick to the middle of the river to help reduce the effect of your wash on the river bank. The wash dissipates over time, so the further from the bank you are, the less your wash will erode the bank. When you are passing moored boats, slow down as they tend to get a little excited if you spill their wine. Pass all boats with as much room as is reasonable, to reduce the wash effect.
BE RIGHT
It is not always common knowledge that on the rivers, you steer to the right! The total opposite to a car which can fool many a novice boater. Stay on the right hand side of the river when there is traffic coming towards you. If you do need to overtake, you need to pass them to starboard. This means you steer to the left as you approach them from behind and their boat will pass on your right as you are looking forward. If you are confident to do this, just be aware that some of those whopping great oncoming canal boats weigh 30 tonnes and cannot get out of your way for love nor money.
Stick to these tips and you will nail it like a pro! But please don't worry, if you take everything at a leisurely pace it really is just great fun rather than daunting. Patience, good awareness and good manners are the key to a good skipper. Don't shout at your crew (unless absolutely necessary), and above all make it fun for everyone.
The Good Little Boat Hire Company
Hartford Marina, Banks End, Wyton, pe28 2aa
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