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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 13:53:04 GMT
Thanks Rusty- do the electric ones work on the EA abloy key or is it a different type? The control box is opened with the EA abloy key, the gate controls are within the box. The wheels are locked with a padlock, or a sliding bolt arrangement , also accessed with the abloy key. Some of the control boxes are a bit tricky to open. Thanks a lot Rusty, and apologies for hassling- I've been trying to write down the lock contact numbers which Gazza has very helpfully posted, but there's one I cant find, which is the contact for Ashline Lock. I dont suppose you have it?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 13:56:31 GMT
The control box is opened with the EA abloy key, the gate controls are within the box. The wheels are locked with a padlock, or a sliding bolt arrangement , also accessed with the abloy key. Some of the control boxes are a bit tricky to open. Thanks a lot Rusty, and apologies for hassling- I've been trying to write down the lock contact numbers which Gazza has very helpfully posted, but there's one I cant find, which is the contact for Ashline Lock. I dont suppose you have it? Sorry, no.Although I am not sure there is one, as it is self operated.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 29, 2020 14:17:43 GMT
I think on these particular waters, as lovely as they are, there is the issue of finding a mooring that I think affects some boaters- especially as the daylight hours are reducing. When I leave March tomorrow morning (which I'm going to do early) I have a 10 mile cruise to the next public mooring places at Whittlesey. I'll check the prop again, but I'm finding that for some reason I'm not able to go very fast up this waterway, without going up to 2,000 rpm- which gets quite loud and feels like its going to drink fuel and cause unnecessary engine wear. There seems to be a very slight current, but not enough to slow me down I would have thought. So I'll be (reluctantly) revving the arse off her tomorrow, because once I leave here I'm committed- I have to make Whittlesey and get through the Ashline lock by the evening because there is nowhere I can moor before then, so I will be quite focused on pressing on. Not just that, but it looks like there is only one set of moorings, and there are a few boats headed the same way as me, who will doubtless also be focused on these issues. On the CRT canals I can ease up, but here you do have to have one eye on your destination point, and the realistic arrival time. they now have a week cutter vessel k is nowhere near d on the keyboard!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 14:23:06 GMT
They tried the whole fortnightly veg management thing but it didn't work.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 15:40:52 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 isn’t 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, it’s 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 it’s 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, there’s 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 👍 Thanks again Gazza, excellent advice. This is going to sound thick, but are there no paddles in any of the guillotine gates, or does the design mean theyre not needed? You drop the downstream guillotine to allow you to rise to the next pound level, the fill rate of the lock pen is controlled by the paddle/slacker I'm the upstream vee gate. It will all make sense when you see one 👍
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 16:00:01 GMT
Thanks again Gazza, excellent advice. This is going to sound thick, but are there no paddles in any of the guillotine gates, or does the design mean theyre not needed? You drop the downstream guillotine to allow you to rise to the next pound level, the fill rate of the lock pen is controlled by the paddle/slacker I'm the upstream vee gate. It will all make sense when you see one 👍 Thanks Gazza- can I just check something? I cant see a lock keepers number for the Ashline lock on the guide, but I thought you'd mentioned a contact number in an earlier post? Had a look but I'm damned if I can find it
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 29, 2020 16:24:09 GMT
You drop the downstream guillotine to allow you to rise to the next pound level, the fill rate of the lock pen is controlled by the paddle/slacker I'm the upstream vee gate. It will all make sense when you see one 👍 Thanks Gazza- can I just check something? I cant see a lock keepers number for the Ashline lock on the guide, but I thought you'd mentioned a contact number in an earlier post? Had a look but I'm damned if I can find it
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 16:43:31 GMT
Thanks Gazza- can I just check something? I cant see a lock keepers number for the Ashline lock on the guide, but I thought you'd mentioned a contact number in an earlier post? Had a look but I'm damned if I can find it Thanks Foxy, its always good to have a reminder to avoid the cill
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 18:27:10 GMT
I think on these particular waters, as lovely as they are, there is the issue of finding a mooring that I think affects some boaters- especially as the daylight hours are reducing. When I leave March tomorrow morning (which I'm going to do early) I have a 10 mile cruise to the next public mooring places at Whittlesey. I'll check the prop again, but I'm finding that for some reason I'm not able to go very fast up this waterway, without going up to 2,000 rpm- which gets quite loud and feels like its going to drink fuel and cause unnecessary engine wear. There seems to be a very slight current, but not enough to slow me down I would have thought. So I'll be (reluctantly) revving the arse off her tomorrow, because once I leave here I'm committed- I have to make Whittlesey and get through the Ashline lock by the evening because there is nowhere I can moor before then, so I will be quite focused on pressing on. Not just that, but it looks like there is only one set of moorings, and there are a few boats headed the same way as me, who will doubtless also be focused on these issues. On the CRT canals I can ease up, but here you do have to have one eye on your destination point, and the realistic arrival time. The engine thing sounds like weed. The middle level link is the most weedy waterway I have experienced but I think @gazza mentioned they now have a week cutter vessel of some sort which gets used. Other thing is you may be "sucking the bottom" which is also a phenomenon experienced on badly dredged canals. The more throttle you apply displaces more water, drops the back end down and just results in increased intensity of bottom-sucking. I hate sucking the bottom. My sincere apologies Mr M, I was distracted earlier and didn't notice this gem. There is a body of opinion at my place of work which holds that I was in fact sucking the bottom for several years before I started boating, but I will have none of it. At first light tomorrow (well, probably 8am), I shall be away, like a hound from the slips. Whatever the slips are, I'll be out of them sharpish. If I have to suck bottom all the way to Whittlesey, that is what I shall do.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 21:49:59 GMT
I think for the remainder of the middle level weed ridden link ditch you will be sucking the bottom but once you get on the Nen (sp) you will find the boat goes a lot better as long as you haven't got any plastics on the blade. Once you get to Gayton junction there may be a bit of bottom sucking here and there but the incredibly wonderful Grand Union locks will more than make up for it.
They are amazing. The best thing since bread never mind the sliced stuff.
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Post by phil70 on Aug 29, 2020 22:35:03 GMT
Tony, you have been a breath of fresh air and with that in mind please do keep posting. Phil
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