Barge Hire Glossary

Barge
Long thin boat designed for canals. Also known as a narrowboat or a canal boat.

Boat Pole
Long pole that lives on top of the barge. Will get you out of trouble if you get stuck in some reeds or if your boat needs an extra push away from the bank.

Bridge Number
Each bridge that crosses the canal is numbered or named to help you to find your position on a map.

Cruising
The correct word for ´driving´ a barge. Also used to describe distances- eg ´3 hours cruising time´.

Fenders
The rubber bumpers that hang on the side of your barge.

Gunwhales
The ledges that surround the side of your boat and can be carefully walked along.

Locks
The first thing to master on your barge hire holiday! The engineering device that uses gates and water levels to help your barge go up or down a hill.

Lock Key
The metal arm that is needed to operate a lock.

Marina
A canal boat village. The picturesque locations where your barge hire adventure begins!

Mooring
The correct word for 'parking' your barge.

Mooring Pin
A metal stake designed to anchor the ropes of your barge to the bank.

Paddles
Part of a lock. Can be opened and closed with your lock key to control the water levels.

Staircase
A series of locks, one after another.

Tiller
The steering control on a barge. A pole at the back of the boat which is connected to the propeller and can be moved from side to side.

Towpath
The footpath that runs alongside the canal.

Weedhatch
A panel on the deck of the boat that gives access to the propeller and occasionally has to be cleared.