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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 10:47:22 GMT
Taking your time with locks is all well and good, but only up to a point ! Working locks too slowly can lull people into a false sense of thinking nothing will go wrong and then losing concentration because of that, in just the same way that having plenty of room to spare in a lock chamber can fool you into thinking your boat is not going to get caught on something or hung-up. There is a very positive side to drawing-up paddles/sluices/cloughs quickly and by good, generous amounts instead of just a few 'nicks' at a time. The sudden rapid movement of water in or out of the lock chamber caused by drawing up quickly at either end sets up a sort of surge or flush which runs up and down the lock chamber and keeps the boat moving backwards and forwards whilst the lock is filling or draining down. If this movement is restrained, but not eliminated altogether, by means of the boat's stem fender for 'ahead' movement and stop ropes round lockside bollards for 'astern' movement, then the constant movements and jiggling about of the boat actually tend to help prevent it from catching on and/or getting hung-up on anything. If there isn't a bollard in the right place, take a couple of turns with the stop line/rope round a paddle spindle, or something else handy on the nearest gate - like, for instance, over the balance beam and round the step-up board a couple of times. Practice all this at first with nobody else around to distract or pester you, and in locks with plenty of room to spare, then as you get better at it and more confident, you'll find it all gets easier and easier with every lock you get under your belt. Pretty much what I have been doing. I certainly think I operate locks better than about 50% of other boaters I've met/watched. Only time I take it really slowly is when I come across something I've not seen before, then it's the double/triple checks, stop to think have I missed anything sort of stuff.
As you say experience builds and things gets easier.
If you are single handed I think it’s much safer to only open up one side of paddles. If something goes wrong (e.g boat starts to hang or gets stuck on cill) you have more of a chance to save the boat. Running over a lock gate to shut the other paddles in a panic not only wastes vital seconds, it also increases the chances of falling into a vey turbulent lock.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 11:05:42 GMT
All depends really, I normally open one and then assess the situation.
On another point...
If the bottom gates are leaking very badly from where they join, and look 'misaligned', and you can't get top gates to open. Is there any point in draining the lock and seeing if you can get the gates better aligned?
Just asking out of curiosity really, problem was solved with the help of 3 large men. I have ratchet straps but was wondering what would be best to do if I didn't know someone would be along to help very soon.
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Post by naughtyfox on Feb 27, 2019 11:22:42 GMT
We've done 16 coffin locks in 2 days, still afloat. At least there are some real boaters boating on TB, not just talking about how to do it
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 11:49:15 GMT
With that size he isn't on a muddy ditch. Its also very different to a smaller boat, no manual handling for starters. Not really comparable to CC on a muddy ditch. Of course its manual handling, they dont have bow thrusters, they just know how to boat! I doubt very much that he pulls on a rope to get the boat into the side unless he is super human. Using the engine and springs is NOT what I would call manual handling.
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Post by peterboat on Feb 27, 2019 14:04:45 GMT
Of course its manual handling, they dont have bow thrusters, they just know how to boat! I doubt very much that he pulls on a rope to get the boat into the side unless he is super human. Using the engine and springs is NOT what I would call manual handling. Dont all boaters use springs? clearly as I was taught by a working boatman I must be getting it wrong
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Post by Andyberg on Feb 27, 2019 14:13:19 GMT
At least there are some real boaters boating on TB, not just talking about how to do it Good point well made Mr Holiday Boater!👍 🙄
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Post by kris on Feb 27, 2019 19:46:42 GMT
We've done 16 coffin locks in 2 days, still afloat. At least there are some real boaters boating on TB, not just talking about how to do it But more Importantly foxy, have you changed your oil yet?
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Post by TonyDunkley on Feb 27, 2019 20:01:56 GMT
We've done 16 coffin locks in 2 days, still afloat. At least there are some real boaters boating on TB, not just talking about how to do it <iframe width="20.879999999999995" height="2.960000000000008" style="position: absolute; width: 20.879999999999995px; height: 2.960000000000008px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none;left: 15px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_36327768" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="20.879999999999995" height="2.960000000000008" style="position: absolute; width: 20.88px; height: 2.96px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 987px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_76240936" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="20.879999999999995" height="2.960000000000008" style="position: absolute; width: 20.88px; height: 2.96px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 15px; top: 89px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_92284720" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="20.879999999999995" height="2.960000000000008" style="position: absolute; width: 20.88px; height: 2.96px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 987px; top: 89px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_41263392" scrolling="no"></iframe> What on earth is a 'coffin lock' ?
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Post by TonyDunkley on Feb 27, 2019 20:08:49 GMT
Pretty much what I have been doing. I certainly think I operate locks better than about 50% of other boaters I've met/watched. Only time I take it really slowly is when I come across something I've not seen before, then it's the double/triple checks, stop to think have I missed anything sort of stuff.
As you say experience builds and things gets easier.
If you are single handed I think it’s much safer to only open up one side of paddles. . . . . . . Kindly refrain from putting ideas into the heads of those at C&RT responsible for maintaining neglecting our waterways. Much more of that sort of thing and they'll be promoting all those broken paddles they haven't bothered to fix as 'safety features' !
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Post by naughtyfox on Feb 27, 2019 20:26:44 GMT
We've done 16 coffin locks in 2 days, still afloat. At least there are some real boaters boating on TB, not just talking about how to do it But more Importantly foxy, have you changed your oil yet? No. Was changed just before we left the boat 7 weeks ago. We'll be doing around 22 hours with the engine this trip, so I'll change it when we get back to base so it's ready for a quick jaunt at Easter. All is fine, apart from I have to see how I can change the kitchen taps - not urgent though. Blimey, time has flown! Haven't even done our food stores inventory yet! Bell ringing Kidderminster tomorrow evening; off at dawn Friday. Done a lot, seen a lot, have slept like logs.
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Post by naughtyfox on Feb 27, 2019 20:31:34 GMT
Coffin lock = magnetman's term?
I see it like this, when your metal box (boat) is going down, it's like a coffin is being lowered into the ground. Into Hades.
If I end up in Hell I am going to grab that fork off the Devil and chase him round the shop trying to prod him up his arse with it. He won't be expecting that!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 21:45:06 GMT
Coffin lock = magnetman's term? I see it like this, when your metal box (boat) is going down, it's like a coffin is being lowered into the ground. Into Hades. If I end up in Hell I am going to grab that fork off the Devil and chase him round the shop trying to prod him up his arse with it. He won't be expecting that! is it different for owners of wooden and GRP boats?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 22:01:04 GMT
If you are single handed I think it’s much safer to only open up one side of paddles. . . . . . . Kindly refrain from putting ideas into the heads of those at C&RT responsible for maintaining neglecting our waterways. Much more of that sort of thing and they'll be promoting all those broken paddles they haven't bothered to fix as 'safety features' ! It’s unlike you to turn someone’s post into a dig at CRT Tony rather than comment on the ‘elf and safety issues I raised. Ironic really when you showed so much interest in Stabby’s ‘incident’ from a elf and safety point of view.
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