Setting pole

Especially on larger vessels, it is more effective if the operator starts at the bow and walks aft along a side deck, pushing against the bottom all the way – this action is called "quanting" or "setting".

[1]: 133–135 A setting pole is usually made of ash or a similar resilient wood or of hollow metal so that in either case it floats if left in the water.

[4]: 482  The 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition relied on setting poles to propel their barge on the Missouri River.

These poles are called marda (مُرْدِيّ in Literary Arabic) and are 10–13 feet (3.0–4.0 meters) long and made from wood and sturdy reeds.

[citation needed] A setting pole may also be used in river canoeing for navigating portions of river where the water is too shallow for a paddle to create thrust, or where the desired direction of travel is opposite a current moving fast enough to make paddling inefficient.

[2] On the Norfolk Broads, a quant is used to propel yachts and working craft, especially those lacking an engine, when the wind does not suit.

[citation needed] Large sailing wherries employed a quant pole at least 8 metres (26 ft) in length.

This effect can be enhanced (greater turning force), by pushing the quant forward through the water on the desired direction side of the craft.

This method allows for corrections and steering to be accomplished without significantly slowing the craft, although it generally requires a greater degree of skill.