How to free a tangled propeller using reverse gear

navigating from market harborough

A narrowboat propeller sometimes gets tangled in weed or rope as you are moving along. You may find your boat loses power if something gets caught, or you may see the wash come from the back unevenly. In the autumn, fallen leaves are a real problem as they clog up the propeller and slow you down considerably.

In this little one minute video, Aaran demonstrates how to free things up using reverse gear without having to venture down the weedhatch.

 

We are delighted that more and more narrowboat novices are enjoying the canals around Market Harborough. We are putting together a series of Beginner Guides to help you prepare for your holiday and find a few solutions to common problems en route.

It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Canal and River Trust’s Boaters’ Handbook before you arrive.

 

We offer all kinds of narrowboats, from Day Boats to Boutique Narrowboats and boats suitable for families. All our hires involve full training and we welcome complete beginners.