Locks were invented by the great inventor Leonardo da Vinci, over 500 years ago. He was the first to visualise the benefits of a mechanism which can lift or lower boats between levels without the need to have water continually flowing, and in a safe and controllable manner.

How to go up or down

in a lock

GOING UP..	GOING DOWN...
Close all gates. Ensure top paddles shut. Open Bottom paddles to empty lock Open doors and enter. Close doors and bottom paddles Open top paddles to fill lock As the boat rises, ensure that the bow does not snag on the forward lock gate Open top gates and exit	Close all gates. Ensure bottom paddles shut. Open Top paddles to fill lock Open doors and enter. Close doors and top paddles Open bottom paddles to empty lock There is a sill (step) behind you under the top gate. As the boat falls, stay forward in the lock or your boat may strike it as the water level falls. Open bottom gates and exit
Remember to leave the lock with gates and paddles shut (unless another boat is waiting to go in.)

When you begin your canal trip you will initially be assisting at the locks, if you so desire. This page gives you an idea of what is involved. Not to worry, we always have experienced navigators on board to operate the locks.

If you are boating on the U.K. canal system you will normally be operating the locks yourself; on the rivers the locks may be self-operated or may be operated by a lock-keeper.
Locking up and down can be a fitness programme in its own right. For example, if you choose to cruise the Cheshire ring you may be going through over 90 locks in one week, and every one self-operated!

Page content Copyright © 1999 EurIng Martin J Smith, UK Copyright law applies

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