How to Tow a Narrowboat Safely

Towing a narrowboat is sometimes necessary, whether due to engine trouble, a flat battery, fouled propeller, or simply helping another boater move a short distance. It can be done safely, but it needs patience, clear communication and a realistic understanding of the waterway.

This guide explains how to tow a narrowboat on UK canals and inland waterways, including preparation, rope handling, common towing methods, locks, bridges and when to stop and get professional help.

Before You Tow: Check It Is Safe and Allowed

Before any rope is passed between boats, take a moment to assess the situation. Towing is not just a matter of tying on and setting off. A narrowboat is heavy, slow to react and difficult to stop quickly. If something goes wrong, it can put people, boats and canal structures at risk.

Start by asking a few practical questions:

• Is the disabled boat taking on water or in immediate danger?
• Is the steering on the towed boat working?
• Are the brakes, in other words reverse gear, available on the towing boat?
• Is there enough space to manoeuvre?
• Are there locks, tunnels, weirs, river sections or strong flows ahead?
• Do both crews understand what is about to happen?

If the situation involves a river, strong wind, fast flow, poor visibility, a medical issue or a boat in danger of sinking, call the navigation authority, a rescue service, boatyard or emergency services as appropriate. A friendly tow along a quiet canal pound is one thing. A rescue on moving water is quite another.

You should also consider insurance and navigation rules. Some hire boat companies do not allow hirers to tow or be towed without permission. Navigation authorities may have local restrictions, especially around tunnels, rivers and commercial waterways. If in doubt, ask first.

Essential Equipment for Towing a Narrowboat

You do not need specialist commercial towing gear for a simple assisted move on a canal, but you do need suitable ropes and sensible safety equipment.

Useful items to have ready

• Strong ropes: Use sound, undamaged lines long enough for the method you plan to use.
• Fenders: Essential if the boats will be tied side by side, also known as breasted up.
• A sharp knife: Keep one accessible in case a rope needs to be cut quickly.
• Gloves: Helpful for rope handling, especially in wet weather.
• Lifejackets: Strongly recommended, especially for anyone working on deck, near locks or on rivers.
• Mobile phone or radio: Useful for contacting a boatyard, lock keeper or navigation authority.
• Boat pole: Handy for fending off gently, never for stopping a moving boat at speed.

Inspect the ropes before use. Do not use rotten, frayed or knotted ropes for towing. A tow line can come under sudden load, especially if one boat stops and the other keeps moving.

Agree Signals Before You Start

Good communication is one of the most important parts of towing. Engine noise, distance and wind can make conversation difficult, so agree clear signals before you move.

Both crews should know how to signal:

• Start moving
• Slow down
• Stop
• Go into reverse
• Cast off the tow
• There is a problem

Hand signals can work well in open view, but they must be simple. A raised hand could mean stop, while pointing to the bank could mean moor up. Do not rely on shouting alone. If both boats have mobile phones, keep them to hand, but do not let phone use distract the steerer.

Ideally, each boat should have someone at the helm. The steerer on the towed boat can help keep it in line and prevent it from swinging across the canal.

Choosing the Best Towing Method

There is no single best way to tow a narrowboat. The safest method depends on the waterway, the space available, the reason for the tow and the experience of the crews.

Towing astern

Towing astern means the disabled boat follows behind the powered boat on a tow line. This is a common method on canals when there is enough room and the tow is straightforward.

The tow line is usually attached from a secure point at the stern of the towing boat to a secure point at the bow of the towed boat. Use proper deck fittings such as dollies, T-studs or strong towing points. Do not attach a powered tow to handrails, vents or weak fittings.

Keep the tow line as short as practical in tight canal situations, but long enough to avoid the towed boat running into the stern of the towing boat. On wider water, a longer line may allow smoother movement, but it also increases the risk of the towed boat swinging or the rope catching on obstructions.

Move very slowly. The towing boat should use gentle power and avoid sudden changes in speed. The towed boat should steer to follow the line of the towing boat, not fight against it.

Breasting up

Breasting up means tying the two boats side by side. This can give excellent control because the powered boat effectively pushes the other boat along as part of a pair.

This method works best on wider canals, broad locks and open water where there is enough room. It is usually unsuitable for narrow canals, narrow bridges and narrow locks.

To breast up, place fenders between the boats and secure them with lines at the bow and stern. Spring lines can also help stop the boats moving backwards and forwards against each other. The powered boat should be positioned so its propeller and rudder can work effectively and safely.

Once tied together, handle the pair gently. The combined width and weight make the boats slower to turn and harder to stop. Watch bridge holes, moored boats and overhanging trees carefully.

Bow hauling from the towpath

For very short distances, it may be easier to pull the boat by hand from the towpath. This is often called bow hauling or line hauling.

Use a suitable rope and walk steadily. Keep the line clear of mooring rings, bollards, cyclists, pedestrians and dogs. Never wrap the rope around your hand, wrist or body. If the boat surges or the line catches, you need to be able to let go instantly.

Someone should remain aboard if possible to steer and to stop the boat when needed. Bow hauling can be useful for moving a boat to a nearby lock landing, water point or safe mooring, but it is tiring and awkward over longer distances.

How to Set Up a Tow Line

A tow line should be secure, visible and easy to release. Avoid complicated knots that tighten under load and cannot be undone quickly. A round turn and two half hitches, or a suitable cleat hitch on a proper fitting, is often used by boaters, but only use knots you understand and can untie.

Do not tow a narrowboat under engine power using the centre line as the main tow point. Centre lines are useful for handling a boat from the bank, but towing from the middle can pull the boat at an awkward angle and may create unsafe loads on roof fittings.

Keep ropes away from propellers. Before engaging gear, both crews should know where the tow line is and confirm it is clear. A rope around the prop can quickly turn a simple tow into a much bigger problem.

Getting Under Way

The start of the tow should be slow and controlled. The towing boat should take up the slack gently rather than snatching the line tight. A sudden pull can damage fittings, unbalance crew or jerk the towed boat into an awkward position.

Use tickover or very low revs at first. Once the tow is moving, keep the speed modest. Remember that the towed boat has no engine power to correct a mistake unless its engine is still usable.

The steerer on the towing boat should think well ahead. Slow down before bends, bridge holes, moored boats and shallow sections. The towed boat will not follow perfectly like a trailer on the road. It may cut corners, drift wide or continue moving after the towing boat slows.

Steering the Towed Narrowboat

If the towed boat has a working rudder, keep someone on the tiller. Their job is not to oversteer, but to help the boat follow smoothly.

The towed boat steerer should:

• Keep the rudder movements gentle.
• Watch the tow line and avoid crossing it.
• Stay alert for slack rope and sudden tension.
• Warn the towing boat if the boat is swinging out.
• Be ready to use a pole gently if safe and necessary near the bank.

If the rudder is damaged or jammed, the tow becomes more difficult. In that case, consider breasting up if the waterway is wide enough, or call for experienced help.

Passing Moored Boats, Bends and Bridges

When towing, slow is your friend. Passing moored boats too quickly is bad manners at the best of times, but with a boat in tow it is also risky. The wash and movement can pull the towed boat off line, especially in shallow water.

Approach bends wide enough to allow the towed boat to follow without striking the bank or cutting across the corner. If visibility is poor, sound the horn as appropriate and be prepared to stop.

Bridge holes need extra care. Line up early and keep the tow steady. The towed boat may not take the same line as the towing boat, so the steerer behind must be ready to correct gently. If there is any doubt, stop before the bridge and reassess.

Towing Through Locks

Locks are often the trickiest part of towing a narrowboat. Do not rush. It may be safer to separate the boats and handle them one at a time, especially in narrow locks.

On narrow canals, two full-length narrowboats cannot pass side by side in a lock, so towing arrangements usually need to be adjusted. The disabled boat may be bow hauled in and out, or moved carefully with lines while the powered boat goes separately.

In broad locks, breasted up boats may fit, but only if there is adequate space and the crew know what they are doing. Keep ropes under control and never let a tow line trail near lock gates, paddles or cills.

Lock safety basics still apply:

• Keep clear of the cill when descending.
• Open paddles gradually if boats are moving about.
• Do not use body weight to stop a moving boat.
• Keep hands and feet away from pinch points.
• Communicate before opening gates or paddles.

If a lock landing is busy, shallow or windy, wait until you can work without pressure. Other boaters will usually be understanding if they can see you are dealing with a tow safely.

Tunnels, Rivers and Difficult Conditions

Towing through tunnels should not be attempted casually. Visibility is restricted, there is little room to correct a problem and communication is poor. Check the local rules and seek advice before towing through any tunnel. In many situations, it is wiser to arrange professional assistance.

River sections deserve even more caution. Flow, weirs, wind and limited mooring options can turn a minor breakdown into a serious hazard. If the disabled boat cannot manoeuvre under its own power, think carefully before entering moving water.

Strong winds, darkness, fog, heavy rain and icy conditions are all good reasons to postpone a tow unless there is an immediate safety need. A canal tow that feels manageable in calm weather can become difficult very quickly when the wind catches the cabin side.

Stopping and Mooring Up

Stopping a tow requires planning. Ease off the power early and allow both boats to lose way gradually. If you stop the towing boat abruptly, the towed boat may continue forward and collide with it.

When approaching a mooring, slow right down and decide who will step off, which lines will be used and where each boat will finish. Do not leap from a moving boat. Step ashore only when it is safe and the gap is manageable.

If towing astern, it may be easiest to bring the towing boat alongside the bank first, then use lines to bring the towed boat in. If breasted up, use bow and stern lines to control the pair, remembering that the outside boat may need extra handling.

Once secure, remove or tidy the tow line so it cannot fall into the water or foul a propeller. Check both boats for damage, especially around towing points and fenders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many towing problems come from rushing or using too much power. Keep everything calm and deliberate.

• Using weak fittings: Do not tow from handrails, roof vents or anything not designed to take load.
• Snatching the rope tight: Take up slack gently to avoid shock loads.
• Going too fast: Slow speed gives more time to react.
• Letting ropes trail: A rope in the propeller can stop the towing boat too.
• Standing in a loop of rope: If it tightens, it can cause serious injury.
• Ignoring the weather: Wind can overpower careful steering.
• Trying to be heroic: If conditions are beyond your skill, stop and get help.

When to Call for Professional Help

There is no shame in deciding not to tow. In fact, good judgement is one of the most important boating skills.

Call a boatyard, engineer, rescue service or navigation authority if:

• The boat is on a river or near a weir.
• The steering is damaged.
• The boat is taking on water.
• The tow would involve a tunnel or difficult lock flight.
• The crew are inexperienced or uncomfortable.
• The weather is making control difficult.
• There is not enough safe mooring space nearby.

A short, simple tow to the nearest safe mooring is often sensible. A long journey with multiple hazards may not be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any narrowboat tow another narrowboat?

Not necessarily. The towing boat needs enough power, good steering, sound deck fittings and a capable crew. The waterway must also be suitable. A small or underpowered boat may manage a gentle short tow on a canal, but that does not mean it is suitable for difficult conditions, rivers or long distances.

What rope should I use to tow a narrowboat?

Use a strong, undamaged rope of suitable length for the situation. It should be easy to handle and attach securely to proper fittings. Avoid thin, worn or badly frayed lines. The rope should also be easy to release if the tow needs to be stopped quickly.

Is it safe to tow from the centre line?

For powered towing, it is generally better to use secure bow and stern fittings rather than relying on a centre line. Centre lines are useful for handling the boat from the bank, but they can pull at awkward angles and may not be attached to fittings intended for towing loads.

Can you tow a narrowboat through a lock?

Sometimes, but it depends on the lock and the towing arrangement. In many narrow locks, it is safer to separate the boats and move them one at a time using lines. Broad locks may allow boats to remain breasted up, but only where there is enough space and the crews are confident.

How fast should you go when towing a narrowboat?

Go as slowly as practical while maintaining steerage. Gentle movement is safer than speed. Slow down well before bends, bridges, moored boats and locks. If the towed boat starts swinging, surging or becoming difficult to control, reduce speed and reassess the tow.

Learning how to tow a narrowboat is mainly about preparation, patience and respect for the limits of the situation. Keep the plan simple, communicate clearly, move slowly and never be afraid to stop if things do not feel right.