Look well ahead
Keep your eyes on the waterway, not the bow immediately in front of you. Give yourself room to pass moored boats slowly and watch how wind and wash move the stern.
Use the tiller gently
The stern moves opposite the tiller and the bow follows. Make a small movement, wait for the boat to answer, then correct. Ask the hire firm to demonstrate on your particular boat.
Practise stopping
Choose clear water and learn how long the boat takes to slow. Reverse power can help, but it does not provide the same steering response as forward motion. Plan an escape from a manoeuvre before starting it.
Before you go
- Practise on clear water
- Correct the course early
- Leave room to stop