Most purpose built North American canal designs that I am familiar with had a modest height post or single bitt right up in the bows. The main deck was given over to cargo hatches / holds (barges) or passenger accommodations (packets.)
Lateral force is inverse to the length of the haul but she's always trying to "climb the hill" to some extent. Balance was achieved by "bitting" to the near side (giving offside helm) and a great barn door of an out-hung rudder.
One can also fashion a noose from an eye splice but an eye splice is not a noose. If you add a wheel it is a unicycle.
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sj