Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 6:59:30 GMT
Why does he talk in riddles? I hear you say. This must surely be an engaging topic.
Well sadly not. I must apologise for what seems now like false advertising, because I'm literally referring to the fate of nothing more exiting than a plank of wood.
Said plank has been sat on my roof for the 8 weeks I've had the boat, and frankly I feel it is pushing its luck a bit. Don't get me wrong, its a fine plank- some sort of hardwood judging from its weight, and neatly bound around both ends with a metal sheet.
But I see no use for it, and I think it is relying on its good looks to earn its berth on the good ship Jazz.
For I grow weary of this wooden decoration- particularly since I seem to have a mini-drama trying to hurriedly free the centre line from being caught underneath it every other time I try to moor or go into a lock.
It has its own welded-on mounting frame on the left side of the cabin roof. It all looks very neat and very seamanlike, but its only function in life so far has been to get on my bloody tits every time I move the centre line across the roof. I know that in theory it should serve to let me walk ashore if I ever forced to moor up say 2 feet from the bank by shallow water, but that scenario is just not happening. Of course I haven't been on the Ashby yet, or the Lancaster canal- or I might be thinking differently.
So to the boaters here- do you actually use your plank? And how long ago was it last used?
I did have the idea of making it two feet shorter, as its currently about 6 ft long, but I'm toying with the idea of ditching it altogether, unless I can maybe shorten it and fit it into the cratch area.
Am I being unfair to my plank, or is it really a good-for-nothing decoration posing as a useful boating item? Is it time for the plank to walk the plank?
PS- apologies in advance, I'm off a-cruisin' pretty much all day today (currently north of Rugely, and headed for the Shroppie via the S+W), so tragically will not be able to respond the various gems of wisdom and witty retorts until much later.
Chin chin.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:07:16 GMT
I ditched the plank as it was rotten and remained plank free for thirteen years ... upto last year when I discovered a discarded solid plank in a hedge bottom by a mooring.
Cleaned, painted and reinstated on the roof, purely as ornamentation.
We have never chosen to moor anywhere that required use of the plank, and being fairly active we don't need the plank even if a couple of feet from the bank (K&A type moorings).
Having two centre ropes, one for each side of the boat, largely removes the issue of switching the centre rope around obstructions.
Rog
|
|
|
Post by Clinton Cool on Oct 20, 2020 7:29:15 GMT
I don't have a plank and haven't fallen in yet. Don't throw it away, they can make nice table tops.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:31:33 GMT
Thanks Rog- I did try using two centre lines as you suggest, but I've just switched to an alternative method of having one very short centre line for temporarily tying up via a rolling hitch (which allows you to loop the line through a pin, ring, etc, and then sort of fasten it to itself- and even better, you can then take up the tension in it.
But as far as I can see, the rolling hitch needs you to pass the whole length of rope through its loops, so my new solution for that pain-in-the-arse is to use a much shorter centre line specifically for quickly securing the boat in windy conditions, and the normal length centre line is still there for locks etc.
No idea how all this will work out though, as today is my first try-out of the short line idea.....
Must say though, I'm encouraged by your lack of use of a plank for so long.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:34:14 GMT
I don't have a plank and haven't fallen in yet. Don't throw it away, they can make nice table tops. If I am persuaded by the collective wisdom of the folks here that it is as little-needed as I suspect, then you are more than welcome to it Ricco. Hopefully I'll be in Cheshire in 2 or 3 weeks at most, so maybe some sort of plank rendezvous can be organised...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:35:04 GMT
I've just bought a brand new plank to replace the decrepit one. It gets used on a regular basis to bridge the gap over the reeds on the Nene. Other than that what are you going to use as a lever when you get stuck in shallow water? Worth keeping for that alone.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 20, 2020 7:38:21 GMT
I use mine to get the little Honda on and off of the boat when I'm away cruising. On my mooring I have it semi-permanently set up as it makes it easier to get on and off although I wouldn't bother if I was just mooring in some random place for a night or two.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:39:42 GMT
Just had a quick thought- I'm ok jumping a two foot gap to board the boat, but not so sure my 30kg ebike would be so easy to get aboard.
I could maybe saw two feet off the plank, and use it specifically when I need to get the bike aboard.
Have to say though, I've not seen a mooring as yet where I was two feet out from the bank (except on holiday on the Ashby a few years ago)- but they must be fairly common in reality, and that bike is a heavy sod of a thing.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 20, 2020 7:49:16 GMT
I just wish my little Honda would fit on the stern deck because I'm sure that if I left it there for three weeks, it would improve engine performance no end.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:49:50 GMT
If you chuck it sods law will undoubtedly apply.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:55:28 GMT
Thanks guys, much appreciated. Apologies as I think its a very short topic, and I think I've almost decided.
I think a compromise might be best- shorten it a bit so it fits into the cratch, and I can then use it for the bike if needed. And also for crossing weeds/reeds etc, and levering out of shallow water.
So far I've been able to get out of being a bit grounded by swaying the boat itself sideways, but sods law says one day that wont work....
I think the plank has a reprieve....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 7:55:41 GMT
Stout plank is useful as @loddon says for levering when grounded.
A pole is no good for that unless you have a proper scaff pole.
If it's wrapped at the ends with metal it's probably a banded scaffold board.
If so those bands are a bit of a paint scratching problem.
The other option is cut it up for the err... Fire...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 8:01:43 GMT
Binned mine this year, was looking very twisted and rotten, only used it once and that's because the mrs couldn't jump the gap, me being a sprightly young fella can leap any gap in front of me..
I plan to cut the rack off later this year when the boat goes in for work, I keep my pole indoors as my last one got robbed.
|
|
|
Post by cygnus on Oct 20, 2020 8:30:57 GMT
A plank was handy for getting our old dog ashore if there was a gap a bit too wide for her to jump. Also handy as a worktop on the bankside.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2020 9:43:47 GMT
Anything on the roof is a target for thieves and an accident waiting to happen.
|
|