Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 17:35:30 GMT
I expect to spend the first half of tomorrow working my way up the buckby flight, and perhaps through braunston tunnel.
I feel encouraged in these endeavours by the forecast of 23mph winds gusting to 38mph, as that will keep some boaters moored up, and oncoming traffic in the tunnel will be less- or so I hope.
But I was wondering- has the wind caused really serious problems for many people? And how windy does it have to get before you make a decision not to cruise- or does that depend on how important the journey is?
I have to say, I'm not a fan of cruising in steady rain, but so far the wind hasnt caused me any real problems.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 17:40:09 GMT
The forecast you describe and single handing up Buckby locks sounds quite "interesting".
The lock approach bollards are all on the right hand side so depending on wind direction it could be helpful or a real nuisance.
Quite deep locks so expect the boat to move from one side to the other as you go into the empty locks.
Have fun, and take care.
Not sure if you are a ladder user or get off with the centre / front rope just before the lock and let the boat glide in.. I do the getting off with a rope but I know not everyone likes that option.
ETA with any luck you'll get a boat coming down and have a good road ahead.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 17:43:08 GMT
If I am standing in the rear hatch with the backdoors shut wind can cause severe problems Seriously its been blowing over the fens for the last few days, on the way out in my face, on the way back in my face. Only once has it been a problem, years ago across the puddle banks, got yelled at for going to fast so stopped and the wind blew me broadside into the shouter, he wasn't impressed especially when I used his boat to spring the front of mine out
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 17:48:20 GMT
The forecast you describe and single handing up Buckby locks sounds quite "interesting". The lock approach bollards are all on the right hand side so depending on wind direction it could be helpful or a real nuisance. Quite deep locks so expect the boat to move from one side to the other as you go into the empty locks. Have fun, and take care. Not sure if you are a ladder user or get off with the centre / front rope just before the lock and let the boat glide in.. I do the getting off with a rope but I know not everyone likes that option. Thanks Mr M- I crossed over the bottom lock gate going into Whilton Chandlery earlier, and I have to say that after the Northampton flight (even though those have double lower gates) these do look like quite big locks. But I have Loddon's paddle-opening drill to hand, so its just a case of grinding my way up there. I really hope I get into better shape quickly- these flights should not be as much of a grind as they are at the moment. The wind is NW, which is roughly the direction I'll be going, so hopefully will not blow me off the landings too much.
|
|
|
Post by patty on Sept 24, 2020 17:51:03 GMT
I expect to spend the first half of tomorrow working my way up the buckby flight, and perhaps through braunston tunnel. I feel encouraged in these endeavours by the forecast of 23mph winds gusting to 38mph, as that will keep some boaters moored up, and oncoming traffic in the tunnel will be less- or so I hope. But I was wondering- has the wind caused really serious problems for many people? And how windy does it have to get before you make a decision not to cruise- or does that depend on how important the journey is? I have to say, I'm not a fan of cruising in steady rain, but so far the wind hasnt caused me any real problems. I had issues being blown going through Braunston locks as did another boater..in fact we both ended up sideways across the canal but cannot remember which one of the locks it was... I thought it funny the other guy had sense of humour failure.. oh and if u decide to moor after Braunston the wind can do silly things along that stretch but cannot remember which bridge..just down from where little sis lives...something lane (Longsdowne?)..I had to run after my boat with my old dog tied up under the tiller...that wasn't so funny at the time. However enjoy, I know that stretch of the canal very well PS look out for the dog leg going thru tunnel
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 17:52:39 GMT
If I am standing in the rear hatch with the backdoors shut wind can cause severe problems Seriously its been blowing over the fens for the last few days, on the way out in my face, on the way back in my face. Only once has it been a problem, years ago across the puddle banks, got yelled at for going to fast so stopped and the wind blew me broadside into the shouter, he wasn't impressed especially when I used his boat to spring the front of mine out It blows like hell across there - All the way to Braunston and the seemingly never ending moored boats up to the junction if you are unlucky 🤦🏼♂️
|
|
|
Post by Clinton Cool on Sept 24, 2020 17:53:13 GMT
It can be a pain if it's blowing a hooly across the canal towards a line of moored boats. You need to put a bit of power on (I haven't got much) and you sort of crab along, your rear end threateningly close to the moored boats. It's not very pleasant.
Top tip: DO NOT 'wind' your boat in the conventional manner when it's blowing a hooly from behind you. You'll end up going backwards and forwards many times, thrashing the water to a foam, wasting fuel and putting unneeded strain on your gearbox, and may end up in the far side bushes, or grounded. Instead: pull over. Push the stern of the boat out. Hold on to the bow rope. The wind will push the boat round nicely, possibly more quickly than if you try to do it in the conventional manner. If you want to speed things up a bit simply walk forward once the stern is a fair way out. Be wary of doing this if the winding hole isn't much wider than your boat is in length or you're very deep drafted/ you suspect the winding hole is very shallow.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:08:42 GMT
I expect to spend the first half of tomorrow working my way up the buckby flight, and perhaps through braunston tunnel. I feel encouraged in these endeavours by the forecast of 23mph winds gusting to 38mph, as that will keep some boaters moored up, and oncoming traffic in the tunnel will be less- or so I hope. But I was wondering- has the wind caused really serious problems for many people? And how windy does it have to get before you make a decision not to cruise- or does that depend on how important the journey is? I have to say, I'm not a fan of cruising in steady rain, but so far the wind hasnt caused me any real problems. I had issues being blown going through Braunston locks as did another boater..in fact we both ended up sideways across the canal but cannot remember which one of the locks it was... I thought it funny the other guy had sense of humour failure.. oh and if u decide to moor after Braunston the wind can do silly things along that stretch but cannot remember which bridge..just down from where little sis lives...something lane (Longsdowne?)..I had to run after my boat with my old dog tied up under the tiller...that wasn't so funny at the time. However enjoy, I know that stretch of the canal very well PS look out for the dog leg going thru tunnel I actually bought a worklight thing that I can position to illuminate from the stern forward along the starboard side of the boat, so hopefully the hull won't be too battered by the time I get through the tunnel. There's no way I'll be doing the Braunston flight tomorrow though. My plan is to moor somewhere after the tunnel, and do the braunston flight on Saturday morning. It could get very interesting as the wind will still be pretty gusty on Saturday, and there'll be a lot more boats knocking about, including a few newbie hire boaters I imagine. Hark at me talking about newbies already, when I've only been afloat for a month....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:19:05 GMT
If I am standing in the rear hatch with the backdoors shut wind can cause severe problems Seriously its been blowing over the fens for the last few days, on the way out in my face, on the way back in my face. Only once has it been a problem, years ago across the puddle banks, got yelled at for going to fast so stopped and the wind blew me broadside into the shouter, he wasn't impressed especially when I used his boat to spring the front of mine out It blows like hell across there - All the way to Braunston and the seemingly never ending moored boats up to the junction if you are unlucky 🤦🏼♂️ You are not joking about the never ending moored boats. Coming up from Gayton to Whilton today, there were not very many long stretches that were free of moored boats. In some places they were few hundred yards apart, so it wasnt really worth gunning it back up to speed and then cutting it again. It seemd that for about 60% of the day I was either approaching or passing moored boats, so was at a little over tickover- my boat seems to produce a bit of a bow wave even going slowly, but I wasn't yelled at by anyone. In the end I compromised and cruised past them at 1200rpm (about 2mph) as it was getting late and I needed to get to Whilton Chandlery. Personally I wouldn't mind that much if they imposed a blanket 1.5mph or 2mph speed limit and everyone just slowed down a bit.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:24:54 GMT
Were there boats moored even where the M1 is right beside the cut and ridiculously noisy?
I remember a few boats around Weedon and after the bends but from there to Whilton on the towpath nobody. That was more than a decade ago though. Maybe times have changed.
It was terribly noisy around there from the road traffic.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:34:15 GMT
My tips for single handing on a windy day;
1. If you don't want a challenge take the day off... 2. The problems normally occur when you need to go slow such as coming into a lock landing. 3. Don't get off the boat if you don't think you can get a rope around a bollard fairly quick (if you have messed up getting to the landing/mooring then don't just hop off the boat hoping you can hold it against the wind - stay on the boat and use the engine to get you in a better position). 4. Open both entrance gates to the lock. 5. Don't worry too much about closing the exit gates.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:41:10 GMT
That's good advice from @blacksheep in my view. I rarely single-hand, but when I have I learned the hard way it's important to be prepared to adjust plans and stop rather than try to force things. Strong gusty wind is a nightmare and can cause embarrassing loss of your boat Rog
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:43:52 GMT
Strong gusty wind is a nightmare and can cause embarrassing loss of your boat Rog Always the opportunist aren't you.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 18:44:56 GMT
Were there boats moored even where the M1 is right beside the cut and ridiculously noisy? I remember a few boats around Weedon and after the bends but from there to Whilton on the towpath nobody. That was more than a decade ago though. Maybe times have changed. It was terribly noisy around there from the road traffic. I didnt notice road noise earlier, but I tend not to notice any noise when the engine is on. Its not very loud when you are stood on the towpath, but the sound really carries up vertically through the engine board cover. Soundproofing that board is on the growing to do list... Along with a stove, of course. Speaking of which, Whilton do the hobbit stove for £500, and next week when I go back for the car, I'm considering picking one up from them. And is it worth paying the extra for a DEFRA-approved version btw? Does anyone really bother boaters about their stoves, apart from London? The M1 has been beside the cut for at least half a mile or so, and is think a few hundred yards away (and there is a rail line on the other side). As its at a decent distance, I'm not finding it to be an intrusive or jarring noise to be honest.
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on Sept 24, 2020 18:54:06 GMT
You'd think it fairly quiet these days, the M1, with everyone driving in electric vehicles which, with a touch of the brakes, actually produce all the electricity they need to buzz along. If you go really fast and brake hard, you can even sell some to the National Grid!
|
|