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A setting pole or quant is a pole, handled by a single individual, made to move boats, barges or punts by pushing the craft in the desired direction. Because it is a pushing tool, it is generally used from the stern of the craft.
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. They are usually capped on one or both ends with metal to withstand the repeated pushing against the bottom and rocks, and to help the end of the pole sink to the bottom more quickly. A barge quant often has a cap at the top and a prong at the bottom to stop it from sinking into the mud. On the Norfolk Broads these are called a Bott and a Shoe respectively.
It can range in length from eight feet , to over eighteen feet. A quant is used not only to propel craft, but also to steer them by acting as a rudder. The operator of the quant can stick the quant behind the barge or punt to determine the direction of travel.
There is also a popular saying: "I wouldn't touch that thing with a barge pole!".