Caledonian Canal Lock Advice

[Daydream believer]

Always get a bow line on first then bring the stern in on the engine if necessary. With bow and stern lines on you have control of the boat and the engine is not required.
If its windy be aware the wind can bounce off the walls and change direction in and near locks.
Above all take your time - there will be no complaints if you are slow.

If you put the bow line on first & prop wash is the other way you will drift off. If you put stern on first opening the throttle a bit will pull the boat in. It is also much easier if single handed . If you put bow line on you have to reverse ( into the boat following you)& because of shape of boat the bow comes in & stern still goes out a bit
I used to put mid spring on first until a fishing skipper showed me how to do it - & do you know what? It works

 

[claymore]

I think the only time things may become a little tricky is when there is an over enthusiastic sluice-winder going 'uphill'
We travelled through the Crinan once with a group of young men who displayed such tendencies.
It took 3 locks and the hard word to dissuade.
The common theme throughout this thread is that you need to be mindful of sharing locks with others - it can be heaven when you get 2,3 or 4 boats all working well together but not so good at times.
Its also not good when you are the only one doing any work. Having Parahandy on board often turns out like this.

 

[ffiill]

Caledonian canal is easy-one on board and one working the lines through the locks along with helpful Canal staff.
Be aware of lunch breaks at the gates and evening closure times.
Last time I went through I did it with another 35 footer doing it single handed.
A couple of big inflatable buoys are useful to protect bow/stern if boat swings out against the current.
Avoid pleasure cruisers who tend to lock through Fort Augustus early morning-they dont access Neptunes staircase or Muirtown Locks.
Watch out for the "piss holes"-water gets behind the masonery walls in the locks and spews out through gaps in the pointing as the level lowers which at best spews over the deck or down your legs!
Finally at the height of the season avoid the little harbour near Drumnadrochit-the pleasure cruisers moor up in it bow to the wall med. style.Its better just to moor in the Bay sandy bottom or borrow one of the spare moorings for the night.There are lovely sandy beaches backed by woods and if you follow the path back from the woods our one and only real ale pub is barely a mile away!

 

[ukmctc]

Thinking of going from East Coast UK to West Coast this year via Inverness and the Caledonian canal in April/May. With just the two of us aboard our 40ft yacht SWMBO is worried about how difficult it may be for the two of us to handle the locks, keeping the boat secure, manhandling the locks etc. We are both not as young as we once were but not decrepit yet! Can anyone advise on the procedure and how much of a physical challange it will be for us.

Thanks

The Caley canal is easy for two, all the way through you will have lock keepers on hand who will assist if required, but its so easy you won't need any extra help.
If done with thought you will find no physical challenge for you or your partner.
make sure you have your fenders out both sides, and set up your lines for both sides.
I have even done the canal singlehanded with my 33 foot moody, easy and I'm not fit.
When possible (multilocks) both of you be on the towpath and walk her through, no engine required.
enjoy its a great place, and don't rush through, we took a month on our third trip.

 

[ukmctc]

I think the only time things may become a little tricky is when there is an over enthusiastic sluice-winder going 'uphill'
We travelled through the Crinan once with a group of young men who displayed such tendencies.
It took 3 locks and the hard word to dissuade.
The common theme throughout this thread is that you need to be mindful of sharing locks with others - it can be heaven when you get 2,3 or 4 boats all working well together but not so good at times.
Its also not good when you are the only one doing any work. Having Parahandy on board often turns out like this.

Crinan is different, not any help there in general and old windings, the Caley is all automated and manned.

 

[ukmctc]

Also, stay at Cromarty overnight, then arrive at the sea lock next day its free there on the moorings and you can use the pontoon in the harbour. free leccy and if you speak to the harbour master no charge for overnight stays.

Cromarty is under an hour from caley and has a great couple of hotes/pubs, bistro and excellent baker. Well worth a night or two.

 

[Momac]

Another tip. Do not closely follow another boat into a lock - wait outside until you can see the boat in front has his ropes on.

Perhaps if travelling single handed a different routine might be found preferable.
But if not single handed I (and my crew) have found it much easier to get the bow rope on first. It seems fairly easy work to control the stern with the engine but very difficult to control the bow with the engine. At least it is on my boat - I have single engine on a sterndrive. I don't have a bow thruster.


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