Decisions Decisions...

[addicted]

We've been watching canal boat diaries on channel 5 I think. You might find it informative and helpful. It was on last night for the second time this week  at 7.00pm.

 

Carole

[webntweb]

Another thing to bear in mind is the type of stern. Narrowboats generally come in three types: cruiser, traditional and semi-traditional.

Cruisers sterns are the larger, open type rear decks - usually with a safety rail around the back. Most hire cruisers, certainly the larger ones for bigger groups, have this type of stern. OK for socialising when moored but because of the swing of the tiller it is difficult for more than two people to share the space when travelling.

Fully traditional sterns just have a small rear deck (just enough room for the steerer to stand and work the tiller). Not really enough room for a second person as the swing of the tiller means they usually have to lean back over the water when making sharp turns.

Semi-traditional sterns are a good compromise. They appear from outside to look like a traditional stern and still only have the small rear deck, but have an open area just ahead of the stern deck where the steerer stands; this area usually has a bench type seat on either side on which up to three people can sit whilst travelling. There are usually a pair of small opening doors which can be fastened back to the outside of the boat when underway. This semi enclosed steering position gives you some protection from wind and rain as opposed to the other two types of stern. Some owners fit a protective cover to this area (usually fixed by press studs) to keep the weather off when moored. In bad weather it is possible to leave this cover in position and just unfasten one corner then fold it back so the steerer has quite a lot of protection for their bottom half. Another advantage of this type of stern is that you can bring a (very long) centre rope back, and drop the end onto the bench in front of the steerer so they can step off with it when mooring.