The art of using locks
- no art at all!

Upwards
Secure the stern with a short rope made taut vertically to a ring. Secure a rope to the bow and lead it through a ring or round a bollard so that it can be kept taut either from the boat or from the lockside.

While the lock is being filled, keep the bow rope taut as the water level rises.

As the lock fills up, the boat will move forwards a short distance. The stern rope will look after itself the whole time.

Downwards
Never secure a bow or stern rope to both the boat and the quayside at the same time!
Secure a bow rope and stern rope to the boat, lead them through the rings and hold the loose end in your hand on the boat.

Pull the loose end through the ring after the lock has been emptied so that the rope doesn't catch.

Make sure the boat is behind the yellow mark for the lock threshold.

The level difference in the locks is usually 2-3 metres. The largest difference is in the lock at Forsvik with 3.5 metres.

Equipment
Lifejackets are very important, especially for children. Fenders are also necessary. Remember that the quaysides are very low.
The mooring ropes must be adapted to the boat's size. A stern rope must be at least 6-8 metres long and a bow rope 8-10 metres.

Updated 99-05-09
AB Göta kanalbolag, Box 3, 591 21 Motala
Telephone: 0141-535 10 Telefax: 0141-21 55 50
Contact us by e-mail at: info@gotakanal.se