Leaving York Behind | Sunshine, Tides and a Textbook Entry into Selby Lock
Date:
From:
York
To:
Selby
Waterway:
River Ouse
Travel Time:
5 hours
Distance:
20.5 miles
Contents:
Tuesday 9th June 2026
A City We Loved, But Not a Mooring We Missed
Our time in York had been everything we hoped it would be. We explored one of our favourite cities at a leisurely pace, each enjoying our own adventures. John spent a fascinating day at the Transport Museum while I did a historic walking tour, wandering through centuries of stories hidden within York’s ancient streets. We even managed an evening at the theatre, rounding off our stay perfectly.
Yet despite everything York had to offer on land, we couldn’t say the same about visiting by boat.
The dramatic fluctuations in water level on the River Ouse make mooring in the city centre a constant concern. The safer moorings during periods of higher water tend to be located in the noisier parts of the city, and unfortunately, we experienced that first-hand. At one o’clock in the morning, John found himself leaning out of the boat and shouting at two unexpected visitors to “Get off our roof!”
By the end of our stay, we felt we had made the most of this wonderful city. We had seen the sights, enjoyed the attractions and created some lovely memories. Now, however, we were more than ready to point the bow downstream and begin our journey back.
Wednesday 10th June 2026
Back to Naburn
On our way to York, we had split the journey, tackling the tidal section first before stopping overnight at Naburn and then cruising into the city the following day.
This time we were keen to leave the wider waters behind as quickly as possible.
We cast off early and made the short journey back to Naburn in around an hour and a half. It was a straightforward cruise, broken only by a stop at a marina to fill our diesel tank. The cost was eye watering, but there was something reassuring about having a full tank again.
Back at Naburn we topped up the water tank and settled down with lunch and a well-earned cup of tea while waiting for our scheduled 4:30 pm lock passage.
Then the lock keeper appeared with unexpected good news.
There was already sufficient water on the tidal section, so we could go through earlier if we wished.
Lifejackets were quickly retrieved and fastened. Once again, we prepared ourselves for the tidal River Ouse.
Sunshine on the River
As it turned out, the journey was far kinder than we expected.
The sun shone for much of the afternoon, interrupted only by the occasional passing shower. Under blue skies the river looked completely different from the challenging waterway we had encountered on our previous trip. The broad stretches of water sparkled in the sunlight and the surrounding countryside looked magnificent.
That didn’t mean John could relax.
The tidal Ouse demands concentration at all times. Floating debris drifts with the current, shallow edges lurk beyond the navigation channel, and bridges require careful positioning. Throughout the journey, John remained focused on keeping us safely in the centre of the river.
But both of us knew the greatest challenge still lay ahead.
The Selby Lock Challenge
Anyone who has entered Selby Lock from the tidal river will understand why it commands respect.
The force of the tide is constantly pulling the boat downstream, making the turn into the lock entrance anything but straightforward.
As we approached, John brought the boat level with the lock before turning sharply towards the entrance and increasing the engine revs. He knew exactly what the river was about to do.
As soon as the boat reached a position broadside across the current, the tide grabbed hold and began pushing us sideways away from the lock entrance.
For a few seconds, it felt as though the river had won.
But John held his nerve.
Keeping the power on, he continued the turn, resisting the urge to react too soon. Slowly, almost reluctantly, the boat began to respond. The bow swung around and eventually pointed towards the lock entrance. With calm guidance from the lock keeper, John then eased the boat neatly into the lock.
From where I was standing, those few seconds felt far longer than they really were.
The consequences of getting the manoeuvre wrong were not something I wanted to contemplate, and I will admit I was genuinely terrified for a moment. Yet John’s handling of the boat was superb. It was a textbook lock entry under challenging conditions.
The sense of relief when the lock gates closed behind us was enormous.
At that point, we were more than happy to hand responsibility over to the lock keeper and simply enjoy being safely inside the lock.
Time for a Breather
After three and a half hours on the tidal river, we moored on the visitor moorings immediately above Selby Lock.
Only then did we realise just how tired we were.
Although we had originally planned to continue further along the canal that day, exhaustion quickly changed our minds. Instead, we decided to stay put for a couple of days, relax, recover from the tidal adventure and wait for a grocery delivery before moving on.
Sometimes the best cruising decision is knowing when to stop.
Saturday 13th June 2026
A Message from the Water
During our stay in Selby, the river delivered an unexpected surprise.
While walking along the moorings, John spotted a glass jar floating in the water. Inside was a message.
Curious, he carefully opened the jar and removed the note to dry it out, as a little water had managed to seep inside. After reading the message, he sent a text to the sender before placing the note back in its jar and returning it to the water to continue its journey.
So, thank you Neil. Your message in a bottle made us smile.
A Short Move Upstream
This morning’s cruising plans were refreshingly simple.
All we needed to do was move the boat out of the basin and onto a more suitable mooring.
I stopped the traffic and operated the electric swing bridge while John guided the boat through. Once safely clear, I set off along the towpath with Boasley while John slowly brought the boat forward.
The first potential mooring looked promising, but something beneath the water prevented the boat from getting close enough to the bank.
Fortunately, the next space proved far more welcoming.
John slipped the boat neatly alongside and brought us in without any difficulty. The only challenge was the strengthening wind, which made tying up rather more energetic than expected.
Although there is sheet piling along this stretch, the mooring chains couldn’t be used here, forcing John to hammer in pins instead. It wasn’t the ideal solution, but after a few checks they appeared to be holding firmly.
For now, at least, we are safely moored, well stocked and finally able to relax after our adventures on the tidal River Ouse.
And after the excitement of the past few days, that sounds absolutely perfect.
