Rowers getting in the way

[RichM]

We have a narrowboat on a wide 75ft canal where there's a few rowing clubs.

 

Despite the wide canal, quite often they will get in the way, they don't all pass on the right and they can be a hazard. I make an effort to keep out of their way and to anticipate their actions but it's not enough.

 

Are these people king of the canal or am I right in thinking that they should be passing on the right like the rest of us?

 

Cheers

 

Arm

[Jerra]

Are these people king of the canal or am I right in thinking that they should be passing on the right like the rest of us?

 

Going by the union canal in Edinburgh they are probably King. There are notices preventing passage at certain times because of the canoe club.

[Machpoint005]

They have right of way over you if you are in a powered craft. Stop, relax and let them past.

[Jerra]

They have right of way over you if you are in a powered craft. Stop, relax and let them past.

Does right of way include closing the canal?

[peterboat]

yes we have a rowing club near us as well we just keep on going they are normally faster than us. we have never had issues with the rowers, but the speed boats accompanying are a right pain they fly up and down and get in the way.

[NigelMoore]

On the Thames the PLA has buoyed sections of river for the rowers to keep within.

 

Not that they always take notice of course.

[Machpoint005]

On the Thames the PLA has buoyed sections of river for the rowers to keep within.

 

Not that they always take notice of course.

 

The OP was referring to a "wide canal" so presumably CRT waters not PLA or EA?

[sirweste]

I have experienced rowers when I was in Ely. Nice change of pace. Who cares what side they pass on, it all comes out in the wash and definitely isn't worth getting upset about.

I just say hello and appreciate that I'm not in an exhausted wreck of a body that's being yelled at by some old fat bloke with a megaphone to row harder!

 

Certainly made the water a more interesting place to be than the GU anyhow.

[Machpoint005]

I have experienced rowers when I was in Ely. Nice change of pace. Who cares what side they pass on, it all comes out in the wash and definitely isn't worth getting upset about.

I just say hello and appreciate that I'm not in an exhausted wreck of a body that's being yelled at by some old fat bloke with a megaphone to row harder!

 

Certainly made the water a more interesting place to be than the GU anyhow.

 

I couldn't agree more. I must be mellowing in my old age.

[MtB]

I always hold my course and speed and leave them to avoid me.

 

The idea of a lumbering 2.5mph 25 tonne narrow boat trying to avoid a nimble quarter tonne 25mph scull is laughable!

[W+T]

I always hold my course and speed and leave them to avoid me.

 

The idea of a lumbering 2.5mph 25 tonne narrow boat trying to avoid a nimble quarter tonne 25mph scull is laughable!

 

I agree Mike, they are more nimble to can get ahead, out the way easier. Again down to common sense.

[Keeping Up]

We came up behind a regatta near Ely once. The commentator asked us, over the PA system, to wait until the two boats had set off and then follow them along the course. We did so and crossed the finishing line in Bronze medal place.

[Rob-M]

Often had fun on the Gloucester and Sharpness with the rowers, I normally held my line and let them take evasive action often at the last moment when they suddenly noticed my bows about to take an oar out or the accompanying cyclist shouts at them to keep right. They didn't always obey the lights on the swing bridges either but if the bridge keeper gave me a green light I kept going.

[NigelMoore]

 

The OP was referring to a "wide canal" so presumably CRT waters not PLA or EA?

Presumably. I just thought that it was pertinent to highlight the approach to the 'problem' that one authority took in light of the potential conflicts.

[Robbo]

They have right of way over you if you are in a powered craft. Stop, relax and let them past.

The least maneuverable has priority, doesn't matter if powered, sail, rowed.

[zenataomm]

I have experienced rowers when I was in Ely................ it all comes out in the wash ........

 

Excellent I see what you did there!

[David Mack]

We have a narrowboat on a wide 75ft canal where there's a few rowing clubs.

 

Despite the wide canal, quite often they will get in the way, they don't all pass on the right and they can be a hazard. I make an effort to keep out of their way and to anticipate their actions but it's not enough.

 

Are these people king of the canal or am I right in thinking that they should be passing on the right like the rest of us?

 

Cheers

 

Arm

When I used to row it was the blasted motor boats that got in the way all the time!

[bigste]

You could write to C&RT or whoever it must be. Point out the problems asking them to write to the various clubs.

[sueb]

If you hit one amidships they just spin out of your way.

[Scholar Gypsy]

I have experienced rowers when I was in Ely. Nice change of pace. Who cares what side they pass on, it all comes out in the wash and definitely isn't worth getting upset about.

I just say hello and appreciate that I'm not in an exhausted wreck of a body that's being yelled at by some old fat bloke with a megaphone to row harder!

 

Certainly made the water a more interesting place to be than the GU anyhow.

 

I agree.

On the Thames the PLA has buoyed sections of river for the rowers to keep within.

 

Not that they always take notice of course.

 

Apologies for pedantry... The buoyed section (Putney to just above Brentford) is for rowers to use if they want to when rowing against the tide, as it enables them to take the inside of the bends where the tide is weakest.

 

Boats rowing with the tide follow the normal rules of the road.

 

This system can get quite exciting when the tide changes direction. More detail on the PLA website, for example: https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/rowingcodeupperareapocketguide2015.pdf

[NigelMoore]

Apologies for pedantry... The buoyed section (Putney to just above Brentford) is for rowers to use if they want to when rowing against the tide, as it enables them to take the inside of the bends where the tide is weakest.

 

Boats rowing with the tide follow the normal rules of the road.

 

No apologies needed in finessing the point. However so far as I am aware there is no "if they want to" about whether they stay within the buoyed section when rowing against the stream - they must do so.

[Detling]

The least maneuverable has priority, doesn't matter if powered, sail, rowed.

Not heard that one before

[benfordboy]

Hmmm

 

Just my opinion (Probably worthless......)

 

Having met many rowers on the Soar at Kegworth/Zouch plus really serious rowers on the Thames nr Oxford, we have always made room whenever possible.

 

Sometimes you meet them on a blind bend & that makes it difficult but if I was traveling backwards at a high rate of knots with the missus shouting instructions through a megaphone hopefully someone would move out f my way :-)

 

Seen plenty of angry narrowboaters at Trent lock on windy days when a dingy has tracked in front of them - not the end of the world for us as our reverse is quite adequate to stop in time.

 

Water is for all for me so no problem!

[Arthur Brown]

Seeing the work of the Nottingham University Boat Builder as he repaired these floating pencils the average rower can't miss the stone piers of Trent Bridge, so I'd be wary of any attempt to guide them or predict where they will be.

[Jerra]

if I was traveling backwards at a high rate of knots with the missus shouting instructions through a megaphone hopefully someone would move out f my way :-)

One has to wonder if travelling backwards at high speed being shouted at through a megaphone is the sort of activity which is safe among other water users.

 

Would a narrow boat be safe if the steerer wasn't looking where they were going and only reacting to shouts? (Yes I know the cox steers).