Canal tunnels are among the most memorable parts of narrowboat cruising. They can feel dramatic, peaceful, chilly, noisy and slightly mysterious all at once. For new boaters, they can also be a little intimidating. This narrowboat tunnel guide explains what to expect, how to prepare, and how to steer safely through a tunnel. With the…
Passing another narrowboat is one of the most common manoeuvres on the canals, but it can feel surprisingly awkward when you are new to boating. The channel may be narrow, the water shallow, and the other boat may appear just as you reach a bend, bridge hole or line of moored craft. The good news…
Good canal boating etiquette makes life easier for everyone on the waterways. Whether you are hiring a narrowboat for a weekend, setting off on your first long cruise, or returning after years away, a little courtesy goes a long way. The canals are shared spaces. Narrowboaters, paddleboarders, anglers, cyclists, walkers, liveaboards, wildlife and waterside residents…
If you are new to canal boating, one of the first questions you will ask is simple: how fast can a narrowboat go? The answer is not quite as simple as looking at the throttle. Narrowboat speed limits are about safety, bank protection, courtesy, and control. On many UK canals, the best-known limit is 4…
Canal signs can look simple at first glance, but they carry important information for boaters, walkers, cyclists and anglers. Some signs tell you where to moor, others warn of hazards, and some give instructions that help keep everyone safe on busy waterways. If you are new to narrowboating, understanding canal signs is one of the…
If you keep or cruise a narrowboat on Canal & River Trust waterways, you will usually need a valid CRT boat licence. It is one of the essential bits of admin that comes with boat ownership, alongside insurance, Boat Safety Scheme certification and, if relevant, mooring arrangements. This CRT licence guide explains what a CRT…
If you are thinking about living aboard without a permanent mooring, it is essential to understand how continuous cruising works. The rules are not complicated in principle, but they are often misunderstood, especially by new boaters. This guide has continuous cruising rules explained in plain English, with practical advice to help you plan your movements,…
If you are new to boating, visitor moorings can feel a little confusing at first. Some are limited to 24 hours, others allow 48 hours, 7 days or 14 days, and the rules can change from one location to the next. This guide has visitor moorings explained in plain English, with practical advice for planning…
If you are thinking about living on a narrowboat, one of the first things to understand is where your boat will be kept. For many people, that means looking for a residential mooring. This guide has residential moorings explained in plain English, with practical advice on what they are, how they differ from other moorings,…
Winter on the canals can be peaceful, beautiful and deeply rewarding, but it also asks more of both boat and boater. Shorter days, frozen taps, muddy towpaths and limited daylight for chores can quickly turn a simple routine into a challenge. This winter moorings guide explains how winter moorings work, what to look for when…
