FAQ14 Question: What advice can you give concerning handling cruisers and narrowboats on inland waterways in windy conditions? Answer: Due to its light weight, a cruiser will respond much more quickly to wind changes than a narrowboat, but often can be more easily recovered, particularly if outboard powered. On the other hand, cruisers vary much more than NB's in handling characteristics. If a cruiser is of an unusual model, it may well have been designed with inadequate depth of keel, and might be improved at a relatively modest cost through the addition of a timber keel. Every steerer should remember that no type of craft has special privileges over other types, and that he is responsible for keeping his craft under control. A good steerer, of course, anticipates the difficulties that others will encounter, and tries to position his boat so that others' failures will not result in collisions or groundings. On a narrowboat, this is generally done by speed adjustments taken well in advance, while on a cruiser at times it may be more practical to temporarily pull into a sheltered corner. With respect to proper crewing, it often seems that cruisers rely more frequently on a single person carrying out all duties, including steering, mooring, and pushing off. Either type of craft can be single handed successfully (see separate entry in the FAQ on this subject) but single handed operation of a cruiser requires greater agility while single handed operation of a NB requires greater forethought. Given proper timing, equipment, and steering, both require about the same level of physical strength. In general, a cruiser is likely to be easier to handle with precision than a narrowboat for the following reasons: 1. Most cruisers have a full length keel and do not "crab" as much into the wind while maintaining a straight track. 2. It is easier to steer a cruiser when going astern (This can be close to impossible in a narrowboat depending on the boat's characteristics). 3. Reaction to throttle changes is quicker in a cruiser. 4. Steering control is quicker. 5. Visibility may be better (generally a shorter boat). The difficulty of controlling a cruiser at low speed is increased if the boat has too much power. Few GRP cruisers actually need more than about 6 HP at cruise speeds on the inland waterways. Unfortunately no one sells an outboard of under 10 HP with a decent sized electrical alternator so engines of 15 or more HP are commonly seen. Too large an engine means that the boat achieves "cruising speed" with the engine at idle. With the engine out of gear, there is no thrust to provide steerage. As a practical matter, it may be impossible to run many cruisers at speeds much below 2 or 3 mph except by throwing them in and out of gear. When travelling along a waterway in a straight line and in the channel, windy conditions are unlikely to cause too much difficulty. Problems are more likely to arise as soon as you come to a bend as the wind will tend to push your boat sideways. The steerer counters this by heading the boat slightly into the wind - sufficient to counter the sideways movement. This means that the boat is moving sideways. In a strong wind, and on a narrow piece of water, this can become a problem. The waterway might be too narrow for you to proceed (the solution is to moor up and have a drink/meal/sleep etc). Going round corners is also tricky, because as you go round the corner the direction of the wind relative to the boat will change, hence you will have to adjust the amount of 'aiming off' that you are doing as you go round the bend. Bridge holes and entering locks also becomes 'interesting'. You can't enter them sideways! The 'trick' is to get the bows into the aperture in a straight line to avoid being "cross winded" - difficult to explain but you'll recognise it when it happens to you!! Coming out of locks can be even trickier. The wind will tend to blow the bows towards the bank - particularly if you need to stop outside the lock to pick up crew. It takes a while to acquire the skills and knacks of windy weather boating. For a narrowboat it is worth remembering that the boat pivots, and it is worth working out where the pivot point is on your boat. It should also be mentioned that, when sideways on, the wind will always take the bows (of a narrowboat at least) much more rapidly than the stern due to the greater windage at the front and the greater draft at the back. (This makes it essential to plan which way to turn when winding under power.) An additional tip for boats where the water tank is located in the bow. You may find that the craft handles easier in the wind when the tank is full, i.e. she has more bow ballast.