How to work a Lock - the Canaltime Way
Steve Atty
T&M being worked by a Canaltime boat.
1)Bring the boat into the lock by using blasts of full forwards followed
by full astern.
2) Close the gates
3) Ignore the ground paddle
4) Wind up the top gate paddle without the pawl on.
5) Stand there holding the gate paddle open.
6) When the lock gets within about 18 inches of full ram the boat into
the top gate repeatedly using lots of revs. Back off and then ram again.
7) When the lock is full open the gate - with someone still holding the
gate paddle up
8) Prepare to drop the top paddle by letting go of the windlass. When
its pointed out that this is dangerous reply that you "know what you are
doing as you have worked hundreds of locks".
9) Exit the lock.
I have always in the past offered help and advice to "novices" but this
time I just stood well back and shook my head in despair.
Steve
Drifter
They didn't hook the bow under the balance beam and lift the gate off
its socket?
Tony H
Steve Atty
They didn't spend long enough against the top gate to get anything jammed.
I did forget to include that at the start they backed the boat right to
the bottom gates with the tiller straight so the neck in the tiller was
sitting in the mitre of the gates - it was lucky the rudder didn't get
stuck there - I assume it is possible to sink a boat that way?
Steve
Peter Williams
"Steve Atty" <nos...@tty.org.uk> wrote in message
news:3jev56F...@individual.net...
Clearly these people were ignorant idiots and that they were on a canaltime
boat was probably irrelevant.
My annual boating holiday are taken on timeshare boats.
The Canaltime, compulsory, tuition session includes watching a video, which
incorporates the BW guide.
The behaviour described is not exclusive to Canaltime, though to read
comments on the net one might think so.
The worst (and also the best) behaviour that I have experienced has been at
the hands of what appear to be privately owned boats.
As an antidote to the above description, two years ago, whilst on a Classic
Narrowboat from Barton Turns, we came up behind a Canaltime boat entering a
lock at Fradley on its way back to base. It took 20 minutes to half an hour
in each lock. The reason, they had been told that they mustn't touch the
sides of the lock. They also - >"know what you are doing as you have worked
hundreds of locks".
Last week there was a picture on free.uk.binaries.canals of a privately
owned boat bumping open one of the gates on a lock, whilst the crew opened
the other one.
Peter Williams
Roy Collingwood
I saw a 'pair' of coal boats last week, (motor &
butty) at the 3 locks I saw them go through, they
were letting paddles drop, closing gates by
opening paddles at other end, etc..... they
should have known better!!
roy
Steve Atty
>
> I saw a 'pair' of coal boats last week, (motor &
> butty) at the 3 locks I saw them go through, they
> were letting paddles drop, closing gates by
> opening paddles at other end, etc..... they
> should have known better!!
>
> roy
>
>
And I bet its safe to say that they would be the first people to
complain when a lock falls to bits due to its "mistreatment". OK I know
that what they are doing is "traditional" but there are a lot of
traditional things that aren't necessarily right or good.
Steve
Brian Cleverly
Steve,
Why didn't you use a subject line something like:
"How to work a lock - the NOVICE Way" ?
I am always amazed at the hits Canaltime gets...
My NB vacations have all been either with Canaltime (in fact my intro to the
wondeful NB world was through Canaltime) or hire boats, and in my limited time
on the cut I've seen similar actions from many other novices.
To single out Canaltime is unbecoming of you.
Brian C
furnessvale
dropped or controlled down by use of the hand on the spindle?
George
http://furnessvale.blogspot.com/
Peter Williams
"Brian Cleverly" <bri...@anzam.com> wrote in message
news:11d6r67...@corp.supernews.com...
Snip
>
> Why didn't you use a subject line something like:
> "How to work a lock - the NOVICE Way" ?
>
> I am always amazed at the hits Canaltime gets...
>
> My NB vacations have all been either with Canaltime (in fact my intro to
the
> wondeful NB world was through Canaltime) or hire boats, and in my limited
time
> on the cut I've seen similar actions from many other novices.
>
> To single out Canaltime is unbecoming of you.
>
> Brian C
My introduction to boating was also a week on a Canaltime boat on the K & A.
five years ago.
Since then I have avoided Canaltime for two reasons, firstly the lack of
access to the front deck from inside the boat, and secondly the prejudice
shown here and in other places.
There are idiots on Canaltime boats who will never learn, just as there are
idiots on other boats.
IMHO it is the distinctive and easily identifiable front that makes
Canatlime an easy target.
Peter
Steve Atty
>
> Steve,
>
> Why didn't you use a subject line something like:
> "How to work a lock - the NOVICE Way" ?
>
Because it was specifically a canaltime boat that did it.
> I am always amazed at the hits Canaltime gets...
>
Could that be down to the size of their fleet? I remember back in the
Mists of Time that it used to be Black Death (sorry Prince) who got a
lot of stick.
Steve
andyt...@yahoo.co.uk
A couple of years ago we were chatting to the lock keeper on a famous
flight of locks as a Canaltime boat was ascending. The keeper said "You
see that boat there you pronounce the company's name with a silent 'C'.
Andrew
Roy Collingwood
"furnessvale" <furne...@aol.com> wrote in
message
news:1121160661.5...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
one or two were 'helped' down using hands
roy
John Gwalter
> "How to work a lock - the NOVICE Way" ?
>
> I am always amazed at the hits Canaltime gets...
>
> My NB vacations have all been either with Canaltime (in fact my intro to
the
> wondeful NB world was through Canaltime) or hire boats, and in my limited
time
> on the cut I've seen similar actions from many other novices.
>
> To single out Canaltime is unbecoming of you.
>
> Brian C
My experience of Canaltime boats is strangely mixed.
Until last year my only encounters with Canaltime boats were on the southern
Grand Union.
The boats (and locks) were always either well handled or cautiously handled
by novices who were keen to learn.
Last year, going to and from the National I met Canaltime boats on the Trent
and Mersey and for the first time I understood what all the complaints were
about. However, I must say that the behaviour of the majority of the
Canaltime boats was still exemplary.
--
JOhn
NB Ernest (that one, not the other one)
My indecision is Final.
Richard
> My experience of Canaltime boats is strangely mixed.
The canaltimers we met last time we were out were pleasant and handled
their boats well and considerately. I remember one lot being novices and
really struggling with the lack of a front door but they still did well.
I can't generalise but the worse 2 drivers I have met are those (owners)
who declared that they have been doing it for xx years. I now look back
at them as a learning experience: Make sure that you never get that
ignorant or arrogant.
The next lot include people who don't leave lock gates shut, paddles
down, pawls down where that is the custom for that particular waterway
but perhaps I should not go there...
--
Richard
Gripper
"Richard" <m...@privacy.net> wrote
> The next lot include people who don't leave lock gates shut, paddles down,
> pawls down
Why pawls down, Richard? If the paddles weren't dropped all the way, at
least if the pawl is raised the paddle has a chance of closing completely
(aided by gravity) if the obstruction clears............ or am I missing
something?
Neil
JP
<andyt...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1121179267.3...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
IIRC.
Will Chapman
> "Brian Cleverly" <bri...@anzam.com> wrote in message
> news:11d6r67...@corp.supernews.com...
> majority of the Canaltime boats was still exemplary.
/
In my experience its not the behaviour that is bad, just the technique..
like most people, once they've been shown the correct way, they
practise it.
--
Cheers.......
Will Chapman
nb Quidditch
furnessvale
Well said! I gently inform everyone I meet on a lock flight NOT to put
the catches back on lowered paddles for that very reason. Last weekend
on Marple at least six paddles in each direction were half cocked
because of this. In such situations the effort in closing all gates is
completely wasted. BW don't help by making new catches that cannot be
swung clear.
George
http://furnessvale.blogspot.com/
Bob Holmes
George,
I think you will find there is a further problem on (all?) the new head gates
at Marple. You cannot fully close the gate paddle with the gate open , the
paddle fouls the masonry about half way down . Of course,it is normal to be
closing the paddle as the boat is exiting the lock and the paddle appears to
come "solid" and you think it's closed. It is not apparent until the next use of
the lock and a load of water has been wasted.
I have mentioned it to BW representatives several times but I usually get a
sort of "what IS he talking about ?" response. I last brought it to their
attention on Sunday. "oh , it's a design fault" It wasn't a design fault on
Marple lock gates during their first 200 years though.
Bill
MatSav
news:42d43391$0$12935$cc9e...@news.dial.pipex.com...
> In my experience its not the behaviour that is bad, just the technique..
> like most people, once they've been shown the correct way, they
> practise it.
<Swiss Tony>
"Operating a lock, dear boy, is like making love to a beautiful woman. First
you must thrust forward with a firm grasp of your throttle. This must be
followed with some reversing action, to avoid penetration of the gate in
front of you..."
(The rest I leave as an exercise for the reader).
</Swiss Tony>
--
MatSav
Brian Dominic
their glass of wine, sat back and said:
>And yes I have to agree
>that locks left with slightly open paddles are a pain but I don't think
>that catches off is the answer.
>
Winding the paddles down if they won't descend under gravity, making
SURE they go ALL the way down, is the ONLY way.
Brian L Dominic
Web Sites:
Canals: http://www.brianscanalpages.co.uk
Friends of the Cromford Canal: http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk
Mid-Derbyshire Light Railway: http://www.mdlr.co.uk
Newsgroup readers should note that the reply-to address is NOT read:
To email me, please send to brian(dot)dominic(at)tiscali(dot)co(dot)uk
Peter Stockdale
"Bob Holmes" <bho...@cs.man.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:42D4DA20...@cs.man.ac.uk...
>> George,
> I think you will find there is a further problem on (all?) the new head
> gates
> at Marple. You cannot fully close the gate paddle with the gate open ,
> the
> paddle fouls the masonry about half way down . Of course,it is normal to
> be
> closing the paddle as the boat is exiting the lock and the paddle appears
> to
> come "solid" and you think it's closed. It is not apparent until the next
> use of
> the lock and a load of water has been wasted.
> I have mentioned it to BW representatives several times but I usually
> get a
> sort of "what IS he talking about ?" response. I last brought it to their
> attention on Sunday. "oh , it's a design fault" It wasn't a design fault
> on
> Marple lock gates during their first 200 years though.
> Bill
Perhaps if you referred to them as dandy paddles - the penny might drop.
Richard
You missed out "where that is the custom for that particular waterway".
Safety: Leaving the pawls/safety catches down means that you leave the
gear safe for the next person and ready for use by the next person.
Leaving the safety catches up means that a novice or simply someone who
is tired may start raising the paddle without realising that the catch
is not on.
Obstructions etc: This comes up at various times, particularly with
regard to rods getting caught against lock sides. So swing the gate a
bit and try again. Leaving the safety catch up means that at some point
the paddle will simply drop which is not right. And yes I have to agree
that locks left with slightly open paddles are a pain but I don't think
that catches off is the answer.
George: Let us know if you persuade Malcolm at the top of Marple to
leave the catches up.
--
Richard
Motor
Got to tell you that we working boats get up to lots of tricks, it's
all part of the fun, as long as nothig is damaged.
Phil R
"Motor" <tadwo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1121295448.7...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Which 3 locks was this ?
>
> Got to tell you that we working boats get up to lots of tricks, it's
> all part of the fun, as long as nothig is damaged.
>
I hadn't realised that modern working boats have now acquired
artificial intelligence. This is the first posting I have seen from a
boat rather than a human being. Maybe we should all re-engine
our boats with these motors - which can do the emailing whilst
we concentrate on the boating?
Phil
furnessvale
Bob Holmes wrote:
> George,
> I think you will find there is a further problem on (all?) the new head gates
> at Marple. You cannot fully close the gate paddle with the gate open , the
> paddle fouls the masonry about half way down . Of course,it is normal to be
> closing the paddle as the boat is exiting the lock and the paddle appears to
> come "solid" and you think it's closed. It is not apparent until the next use of
> the lock and a load of water has been wasted.
> I have mentioned it to BW representatives several times but I usually get a
> sort of "what IS he talking about ?" response. I last brought it to their
> attention on Sunday. "oh , it's a design fault" It wasn't a design fault on
> Marple lock gates during their first 200 years though.
> Bill
I agree, Bob. This seems to be the basic problem that newer gear does
not neatly fit in the groove left in the masonry by the older worn out
tackle. This problem is not unique to Marple but is common all over
the system. As the standard practice is to lower the paddles while the
gates are open and the boat is passing through them this problem seems
set to continue and I consider leaving the catch off as standard
practice to be the lesser of two evils.
George
http://furnessvale.blogspot.com/
Drifter
I have just had a report of a boat almost being sunk on the K&A,
yesterday, as a result of the new reduction paddle gearing they have
fitted to make 'em easier to raise.
A single handed boater entered a lock, and left her boat to chase after
her dog. Two boaters, trying to be helpful, and no doubt speed things
up, raised both lower gate paddles. The boat hung up on the sill. By
the time they noticed, and had discovered the paddles wouldn't drop
under their own weight, and had to be slowly wound down, the boat's
stem was almost underwater.
Tony H
Arthur Marshall
from "Phil R" <ditchc...@water.com> contains these words:
I agree, but they can't spell, can they? That's how you can tell they
aren't really human.
--
Arthur Marshall - Caller for Traditional Dances
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/barndancer/
nb Lord Byron's Maggot
Greg Chapman
"Phil R" <ditchc...@water.com> wrote in message
news:PIednSI2-9G...@pipex.net...
>
> "Motor" <tadwo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1121295448.7...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> Which 3 locks was this ?
>>
>> Got to tell you that we working boats get up to lots of tricks, it's
>> all part of the fun, as long as nothig is damaged.
>>
>
> boat rather than a human being. Maybe we should all re-engine
> our boats with these motors - which can do the emailing whilst
> we concentrate on the boating?
Perhaps it's a case of mixed traditions? See examples on the Solway Dory
site, (http://www.solwaydory.co.uk) where in sailing canoe expeditions it
was the norm to refer to people by the name of the boat they were in.
--
Greg Chapman
http://www.waterwaysguides.co.uk
for updates to Nicholson, Imray and Pearsons Guides - and lots more!
Bob Adams
Chapman <greg.ea...@virgin.net> writes
>Perhaps it's a case of mixed traditions? See examples on the Solway
>Dory site, (http://www.solwaydory.co.uk) where in sailing canoe
>expeditions it was the norm to refer to people by the name of the boat
>they were in.
Brian Bearshaw in his 'towpath walks' books does this with the boats he
meets and makes it quite amusing by seeing if the boater's character
matches the name on the boat.
Any takers in here? :-)
Bob
--
If these lines appear in your reply - your news reader is screwed!
Bob Adams - nb Rivendell
email address: bo...@ntlworld.com
Nick Atty
<greg.ea...@virgin.net> wrote:
>Perhaps it's a case of mixed traditions? See examples on the Solway Dory
>site, (http://www.solwaydory.co.uk) where in sailing canoe expeditions it
>was the norm to refer to people by the name of the boat they were in.
Similarly in RL Stevenson's "An Inland Voyage", where he even refers to
himself by the name of his boat at times!
--
On-line canal route planner: http://www.canalplan.org.uk
(Waterways World site of the month, April 2001)
Tim Leech
<nos...@nandj.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>On Mon, 18 Jul 2005 22:46:59 +0100, "Greg Chapman"
><greg.ea...@virgin.net> wrote:
>
>>Perhaps it's a case of mixed traditions? See examples on the Solway Dory
>>site, (http://www.solwaydory.co.uk) where in sailing canoe expeditions it
>>was the norm to refer to people by the name of the boat they were in.
>
>Similarly in RL Stevenson's "An Inland Voyage", where he even refers to
>himself by the name of his boat at times!
Maybe some connection with public school education?
Just guessing
Tim
Dutton Dry-Dock
Traditional & Modern canal craft repairs
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