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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 16:00:52 GMT
Interesting lesson learned today- keep your eye on helpful helpers who give the appearance of knowing a lot more than is actually the case.
I was in the process of being reminded of yesterday's lesson- which is that nothing happens fast on the waterways, except receiving a soaking. I had rocked up at Marmont Priory lock at a respectable hour this morning, full of enthusiasm for the task ahead- my first 'normal' lock since my last boating holiday five years ago (Denver Sluice doesnt count really).
Despite my early arrival, a boat was already on the lock landing, with nothing else to tie onto, and steep grass banks for a good way back. A chap in his thirties wearing a hi-vis strode to the bank nearby, whilst I was hovering around incompetently in the boat.
"The lock's fucked," was his succint but clear introduction. He waved a windlass (of a type I did not yet possess, despite all my research), and explained (I think) that he couldn't get at the mechanism, but that he was going to give it another try in a moment. One of the problems I'm already wise to is that when my engine is running, a conversation with anyone more than a yard away requires considerable effort and volume from both parties, so I gave up trying to understand the technical details of the problem, satisfied that the chap felt there was still a chance he could work the lock.
He got the paddles open and started filling the lock, by which time I had jumped to the bank and was holding my boat behind his, by the centre line. It turned out he was an old hand with over five years full timing on his boat, and since I didn't have the required windlass (the Nener's will know the one), he very kindly said he would let me go through first. In the meantime two Scottish ladies had appeared on a little bridge over the lock, and begun contributing some further helpful information to the situation, as I explained I was a novice. "You need to be on the boat really," said one of these observers- a feat which was patently impossible, as I was holding the bow rope to try and hold the boat steady as the water went down. The girlfriend of the experienced boater guy was also helping out, and I made what could have been a fatal assumption that she has some idea what she was doing. She was tying the stern rope to a bollard in such a way that even a moron like me could see it wasn't going to allow any slip. The elderly but very fit volunteer lockkeeper had also now arrived and begun to supervise, but as I listened to her instructions about about what rope to hold and where to stand, I looked back at the stern and the young lady was now walking away from the stern rope- which was now pretty firmly wrapped around the bollard.
Even as a novice with no rope knowledge, I was wondering what she was playing at. If the rope was tight and the boat moved vertically downward- as it surely must do, since the paddles were now opening- surely the boat would be hung up or tilted, or else the rope would snap? I hastily called her back to the bollard and asked what the score was with the stern rope arrangement. "Yes you see it has plenty of play so it will unwind as the boat lowers" she calmly assured me. With major concerns, I tugged at the rope and it was clearly not going to budge an inch. "Have you been sailing that boat for 5 years then?" I asked, wondering how they had stayed afloat so long, given this suicidal lock technique. "No its my first trip" she said with a charming smile. Bless her, she was trying to help out, but if I had not noticed her tying that stern rope (despite receiving several sets of instructions, some of which were contradictory and one of which was frankly impossible), my boat would have been hung up by the stern and quite possibly sunk on the third day of cruising. Moral of the story- if they're not professionals helping you, keep a close eye on them. I cant be the only one to be nearly sunk by a well-meaning helper, I bet.
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Post by patty on Aug 28, 2020 17:19:55 GMT
I guess you are learning fast Tony..stay safe ..stay alert
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Post by duncan on Aug 28, 2020 18:23:24 GMT
Interesting lesson learned today- keep your eye on helpful helpers who give the appearance of knowing a lot more than is actually the case. I was in the process of being reminded of yesterday's lesson- which is that nothing happens fast on the waterways, except receiving a soaking. I had rocked up at Marmont Priory lock at a respectable hour this morning, full of enthusiasm for the task ahead- my first 'normal' lock since my last boating holiday five years ago (Denver Sluice doesnt count really). Despite my early arrival, a boat was already on the lock landing, with nothing else to tie onto, and steep grass banks for a good way back. A chap in his thirties wearing a hi-vis strode to the bank nearby, whilst I was hovering around incompetently in the boat. "The lock's fucked," was his succint but clear introduction. He waved a windlass (of a type I did not yet possess, despite all my research), and explained (I think) that he couldn't get at the mechanism, but that he was going to give it another try in a moment. One of the problems I'm already wise to is that when my engine is running, a conversation with anyone more than a yard away requires considerable effort and volume from both parties, so I gave up trying to understand the technical details of the problem, satisfied that the chap felt there was still a chance he could work the lock. He got the paddles open and started filling the lock, by which time I had jumped to the bank and was holding my boat behind his, by the centre line. It turned out he was an old hand with over five years full timing on his boat, and since I didn't have the required windlass (the Nener's will know the one), he very kindly said he would let me go through first. In the meantime two Scottish ladies had appeared on a little bridge over the lock, and begun contributing some further helpful information to the situation, as I explained I was a novice. "You need to be on the boat really," said one of these observers- a feat which was patently impossible, as I was holding the bow rope to try and hold the boat steady as the water went down. The girlfriend of the experienced boater guy was also helping out, and I made what could have been a fatal assumption that she has some idea what she was doing. She was tying the stern rope to a bollard in such a way that even a moron like me could see it wasn't going to allow any slip. The elderly but very fit volunteer lockkeeper had also now arrived and begun to supervise, but as I listened to her instructions about about what rope to hold and where to stand, I looked back at the stern and the young lady was now walking away from the stern rope- which was now pretty firmly wrapped around the bollard. Even as a novice with no rope knowledge, I was wondering what she was playing at. If the rope was tight and the boat moved vertically downward- as it surely must do, since the paddles were now opening- surely the boat would be hung up or tilted, or else the rope would snap? I hastily called her back to the bollard and asked what the score was with the stern rope arrangement. "Yes you see it has plenty of play so it will unwind as the boat lowers" she calmly assured me. With major concerns, I tugged at the rope and it was clearly not going to budge an inch. "Have you been sailing that boat for 5 years then?" I asked, wondering how they had stayed afloat so long, given this suicidal lock technique. "No its my first trip" she said with a charming smile. Bless her, she was trying to help out, but if I had not noticed her tying that stern rope (despite receiving several sets of instructions, some of which were contradictory and one of which was frankly impossible), my boat would have been hung up by the stern and quite possibly sunk on the third day of cruising. Moral of the story- if they're not professionals helping you, keep a close eye on them. I cant be the only one to be nearly sunk by a well-meaning helper, I bet. I'll get in first. Even if you think they are professionals you need to keep a close eye on them.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 28, 2020 18:47:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 18:54:41 GMT
Interesting lesson learned today- keep your eye on helpful helpers who give the appearance of knowing a lot more than is actually the case. I was in the process of being reminded of yesterday's lesson- which is that nothing happens fast on the waterways, except receiving a soaking. I had rocked up at Marmont Priory lock at a respectable hour this morning, full of enthusiasm for the task ahead- my first 'normal' lock since my last boating holiday five years ago (Denver Sluice doesnt count really). Despite my early arrival, a boat was already on the lock landing, with nothing else to tie onto, and steep grass banks for a good way back. A chap in his thirties wearing a hi-vis strode to the bank nearby, whilst I was hovering around incompetently in the boat. "The lock's fucked," was his succint but clear introduction. He waved a windlass (of a type I did not yet possess, despite all my research), and explained (I think) that he couldn't get at the mechanism, but that he was going to give it another try in a moment. One of the problems I'm already wise to is that when my engine is running, a conversation with anyone more than a yard away requires considerable effort and volume from both parties, so I gave up trying to understand the technical details of the problem, satisfied that the chap felt there was still a chance he could work the lock. He got the paddles open and started filling the lock, by which time I had jumped to the bank and was holding my boat behind his, by the centre line. It turned out he was an old hand with over five years full timing on his boat, and since I didn't have the required windlass (the Nener's will know the one), he very kindly said he would let me go through first. In the meantime two Scottish ladies had appeared on a little bridge over the lock, and begun contributing some further helpful information to the situation, as I explained I was a novice. "You need to be on the boat really," said one of these observers- a feat which was patently impossible, as I was holding the bow rope to try and hold the boat steady as the water went down. The girlfriend of the experienced boater guy was also helping out, and I made what could have been a fatal assumption that she has some idea what she was doing. She was tying the stern rope to a bollard in such a way that even a moron like me could see it wasn't going to allow any slip. The elderly but very fit volunteer lockkeeper had also now arrived and begun to supervise, but as I listened to her instructions about about what rope to hold and where to stand, I looked back at the stern and the young lady was now walking away from the stern rope- which was now pretty firmly wrapped around the bollard. Even as a novice with no rope knowledge, I was wondering what she was playing at. If the rope was tight and the boat moved vertically downward- as it surely must do, since the paddles were now opening- surely the boat would be hung up or tilted, or else the rope would snap? I hastily called her back to the bollard and asked what the score was with the stern rope arrangement. "Yes you see it has plenty of play so it will unwind as the boat lowers" she calmly assured me. With major concerns, I tugged at the rope and it was clearly not going to budge an inch. "Have you been sailing that boat for 5 years then?" I asked, wondering how they had stayed afloat so long, given this suicidal lock technique. "No its my first trip" she said with a charming smile. Bless her, she was trying to help out, but if I had not noticed her tying that stern rope (despite receiving several sets of instructions, some of which were contradictory and one of which was frankly impossible), my boat would have been hung up by the stern and quite possibly sunk on the third day of cruising. Moral of the story- if they're not professionals helping you, keep a close eye on them. I cant be the only one to be nearly sunk by a well-meaning helper, I bet. I'll get in first. Even if you think they are professionals you need to keep a close eye on them. I think thats a very good point. There were so many cooks in the broth that i couldnt track everyone, but I noticed the young lady had tied up the bow line pretty tightly as well, and then the volunteer had untied it and started paying it out as expected. When someone you think is very experienced does something counter intuitive and that looks wrong, I tend to pause and give it a bit more thought before challenging, especially in an area where I am a novice. But even the pros can make mistakes- to them its a professional error, to be worked on and minimised in future- but you it may be your boat lost. Ultimately I guess you have to be ready to overrule even the professionals, and watch every single thing that is happening
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 20:50:29 GMT
Top tip, only let a lock keeper or yourself be in charge of your lock paddles or boats ropes - tell everyone else to piss off and you will get sorted in your own good time - if it means them waiting longer so be it. Anyone that isnβt a lock keeper or part of your crew that tells you to stay on your boat needs telling to mind their own business.
No one, and I mean no one assists us, unless it is one of our party of friends we travel with. These days it is rare for us to bother sharing locks with other boaters anyway, itβs just not worth the time saved vs the potential for an almighty cock up.
I usually thank people politely for their offer of assistance, most accept it with good grace - the odd few need it spelling out to them in much simpler shorter words. No one yet has defied my request to leave me alone. These days itβs a bit easier as Mrs Gazza and the dwarf usually do the lock work -
You will find single handing up the Nene a bit easier, position your boat at the tail of the lock by the guilotine gate, thereβs nearly always a ladder to climb. Take your ropes up with you. Drop the gate. Slowly raise only the boat side vee gate paddle, the incoming water will keep your boat gently up against the lock wall allowing you to check you ropes and pull in the slack as she rises. Once just about full you may need to open the opposite vee gate paddle to defeat any leaks in the guilotine gate. Open gates when the water level equalises, motor out onto the lock landing stage then shut the vee gates and empty the lock - unless a boat travelling downstream happens to be in view.
Do not sod off up the river leaving the lock pen full - plenty of notices around the locks telling you how to operate them and what condition to leave them in.
Btw, tree has been cleared at Ashton π
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 5:04:34 GMT
Its better to have a crew. Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed when a hire boat turned up. Oh good, I thought. I put the boat in the lock, the gates were shut, and a young girl (maybe 13yrs?) opened the top paddles to the max. The boat shot forward, full reverse having no effect, and slammed mightily into the top gate. They thought there was no need for swearing, but I argued to the contrary.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 29, 2020 5:42:26 GMT
"Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed" - there's a ladder so you can go up/down. "and a young girl (maybe 13yrs?) opened the top paddles to the max. The boat shot forward, full reverse having no effect, and slammed mightily into the top gate. They thought there was no need for swearing, but I argued to the contrary." The Southern Oxford locks are particularly vicious going uphill if the paddles are opened too much - even when the chamber is half-full and you think it's OK to give more, the boat will still creep back and suddenly shoot forward. Woman killed at Varney's Lock in 2009 because her husband and child opened both paddles up all the way all at once (newspaper has wrong lock): www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4523858.woman-killed-fall-canal-boat/"was at the tiller negotiating a lock when she fell into the water. She is thought to have struck her head as she fell from the back of the 50ft craft." www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1203456/Children-mother-fall-death-steers-canal-boat.html "The picture in the BBC report shows Broadmoor Lock No 24 about a mile north of Cropredy but the general concensus is that the accident may have occured at Varney's Lock No 23 which is about half a mile further." www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/23969-tragedy-at-cropredy/ "The woman was steering the boat while two of the family, the husband and one of the children, were working the lock gates. For some reason the boat bumped or nudged the side wall or gates of the lock and the lady has lost her balance and fallen into the water. As a result of losing her balance she sustained injuries from the boat or the lock as well." narrowboatworld.com/657-forensic-experts-examine-lock-death-boat
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 5:49:43 GMT
"Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed" - there's a ladder so you can go up/down. Yes shithead, there is a ladder which seems higher than it does in the photo when you are at the bottom and is distinctly unappealing when covered in slime at the beginning of October. But I had no opportunity to use it.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 29, 2020 7:38:34 GMT
"Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed" - there's a ladder so you can go up/down. Yes, wise and wordly fox, when you are at the bottom and is distinctly unappealing when covered in slime at the beginning of October. But I had no opportunity to use it. Why "no opportunity to use it" ? "there is a ladder which seems higher than it does in the photo" - a few more rungs, so what? Not like it goes all the way to The Moon. Use workgloves, like wot I do, if ladders a bit slimy.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 8:15:18 GMT
Yes, wise and wordly fox, when you are at the bottom and is distinctly unappealing when covered in slime at the beginning of October. But I had no opportunity to use it. Why "no opportunity to use it" ? "there is a ladder which seems higher than it does in the photo" - a few more rungs, so what? Not like it goes all the way to The Moon. Use workgloves, like wot I do, if ladders a bit slimy. Because, ridiculous shithead of the first water, the bottom gates were closed behind me and almost simultaneously the top paddles were opened wide.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 8:31:11 GMT
Its better to have a crew. Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed The first rule of single handing deep Oxford canal locks is that if anyone else turns up with a windlass immediately tell them not to use it
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 8:34:59 GMT
Interesting lesson learned today- keep your eye on helpful helpers . Also worth keeping a sharp bread knife to hand so if a rope does go too tight you can just slice it if it's too late to reset it or if someone else is doing the lock. I've never needed it on my own ropes because I make sure nobody else ever secures my boat. If they do insist I untie it and do it my way. Still handy to have about even if it doesn't get used. The ideal situation is not to allow anyone else to do the lock work. Apart from anything else it you are new to it then you need to get as much practice in as possible. Once you get used to it single handing is great. I've always single handed my boats including down the Nene and great Ouse and loads of other waterways. Really enjoyable. Oh this is making me want a narrow boat again...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 8:35:32 GMT
Its better to have a crew. Years ago at Somerton Deep Lock, I was wondering how to do it single-handed The first rule of single handing deep Oxford canal locks is that if anyone else turns up with a windlass immediately tell them not to use it If only my foresight was as good as my hindsight. But in this instance I didn't even see the girl opening the paddles. The boat hadn't even stopped moving yet.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 8:39:15 GMT
Not being on the boat as it comes into the lock is quite a good idea as well. Be the horse. Do some bow hauling That way you can be on the lock side, no need to climb ladders. If there is a tail bridge over the lock then you'll need a boat hook as well, for rope manipulation. Never underestimate the satisfaction to be gained from bow hauling a narrow boat into a lock. Mind you this might not work so well now with all the idiots in a massive hurry to get somewhere.
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