Can anyone work out the psychology?

Im afraid that unless, and until, there's a significant change in the EA management approach - which means there needs to be more money - we are faced with doing our best as river users to overcome these inconveniences and irritations ourselves. It is not that difficult to ask a boat to move up, and, in my experience, they usually do so if asked politely. I have also passed boats and moored ahead of them on occasion but explained why and not tried to enter the lock ahead of them.
I don't think those of us that do understand the workings of the river realise just how many boaters (and not just hirers) are ignorant, in the real sense of the word, of the protocols.
30 years ago there was a real sense and awareness of authority and correct behaviour which, sadly, seems to have faded away. Why be nice to someone when you can shout at them instead?
 
Big John said:
+1
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I did this last week at Caversham lock, a tiny Viking cruiser with 50feet in front of him, asked him to move up and got a mouthful so went in front of him and then was called all sorts, their main argument that the boats coming out would be blocked. Was pleased to see a Salters Steamer and large hireboat exit with no problems. I then offered to let the Viking to go in first, but he huffed that i was blocking him in, so i went in first, followed by him and then as before he left 30feet of gap in front of him. Sometimes the littlest boats waste the most space!
(as an aside which frequent contributor of this parish had a coots nest on his bathing platform when i went upstream, but it was strangely missing when we returned end of the week??)
 
I would also add that some of them bring to the river the same etiquette and observance of rules that they adopt as road users. Take that any way you wish.
 
apollo said:
(as an aside which frequent contributor of this parish had a coots nest on his bathing platform when i went upstream, but it was strangely missing when we returned end of the week??)
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It was there for 21days ok which is the incubation period, we went to look a few days after that expecting to find chicks but sadly the coot had died and was lying at the back of the nest. I think it possibly had been heat exhaustion, it was there during that really hot period in full sun all day with an all white platform around it, must have been baking.
Bit sad really, if I had removed the nest quick before it had started sitting then maybe it would have still been alive, but of course not allowed to do that.
 
Actionmat said:
Excellent, but so many unanswered questions. Are brown shoes and white trousers acceptable dress? Fenders up or down? Net curtains, open or closed? Does one cock ones little finger when throwing the Lockie a rope?
:D
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The Broom Owners Club will answer the net curtains question. Apollo will be along shortly to comment on fenders.
As for the brown shoes..........
 
Actually i saw couple boats from Fenders Up Cruising club yesterday including head of gossip and he had his fenders down, absolute shower!
 
LimL said:
Windsor to Henley and back over the bank holiday weekend. Moorings busy but otherwise no particular queues. But what do boaters have in their heads when they approach a lock lay-by and then moor up to wait right near the start of the lay-by? And not just hire boats, many who you would think would know better, with their own expensive craft!
Are they in a panic to tie up to the first fixed object they see?
Don't they anticipate that within a few minutes there are likely to be several more boats behind them, all blowing about in the wind?
Or don't they care?

Answers on a postcard please!
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This my inland friends is a busy lock, there as many astern as ahead of us
 
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