How do the locks work?
Locks are used to lift or lower boats from one level to another and can be found on almost all canals and many rivers. On major rivers and waterways such as the Thames and in Scotland’s Great Glen, the locks are manned and operated for you during the summer. On the canals, the locks are much smaller and are operated by you and your crew.Operating locks is very simple and part of the fun of a boating holiday. Care must however be taken around locks and your hire operator will brief you fully when you collect your boat. The lock consists of a chamber into which your boat passes, plus a gate or gates at either end. The lock has openings (paddles or sluices) at the top and bottom to allow water in and out of the chamber to raise or lower the water level and the boat. These paddles are opened and closed by the crew using a lock handle on the winding gear at the top and bottom of each lock. It sounds a little complicated, but you will soon find that operating locks is very easy and great fun
