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 If you are going on a Hotelboat cruise you
just need the skills of sitting back and being pampered!
If you are going to rent a self drive boat you
don’t need any formal qualification or even boating
experience. Instruction is always given by hire firms,
and some even offer short training courses. You'll soon pick things up by
taking it slowly and watching and talking to other
boaters. Most will be vacationers just like you, and
happy to show you the 'ropes'. And although we drive on the wrong side
of the road in the UK, we pass other boats on the side you are used
to! |
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 Email
us your questionsabout Canal Vacations |
 Our purpose at
Canal Vacations is to promote the wonderful leisure
opportunities on UK canals.We don't have any boats or vacations of our own! |
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Don't
I need a license and skills to drive a canalboat?
Steering a heavy boat up to 70 feet long from the back
using a tiller on a fairly narrow canal does take a bit
of getting used to, but most people adjust quickly. Remember to take
your time, slowing down to 4mph does get some getting used to,
but you'll soon be enjoying life that way! Being able to work locks efficiently and safely is
vitally important, you can drain a section of canal if you
get it wrong, and, even worse, people have been drowned
by incorrect lock operation. Listen carefully when you are given instruction and take
your time. Wait for someone to help if you are not
sure. There are millions of lock operations each year
without problems.
Don’t moor on tight bends, by turning places (known
as winding holes - pronounced like the 'wind' that blows!) or close to locks where you will get in
the way of other boats using the locks. You can always moor outside the
pubs!