Dutch or any other lock for that matter

[pjf]

Hi,
I am soon going to have to navigate some Dutch locks and as the day draws nearer I am growing increasingly anxious. The reason for for my anxiety is because I have never done or even seen this done before.

Could some none lock virgins, please let me know what the best techniques are. How to make fast, adjust as necessary and let go. I will likely be shorthanded, if not singlehanded.

This is not so much to avoid embarrassment (which I am fairly familiar with) but rather damage to self and others

All advice as always appreciated.

 

[IDAMAY]

Would help to know what type and size of boat you will be using. Access to/from the helm will make a big difference if you are single handed. The good news is that the rise and fall of most Dutch locks is relatively small which makes control reasonably easy. The bad news is that you may be sharing the lock with very large barges that sometimes leave their engines running in gear!

 

[MarieK]

My only experience was going through the Crinan Canal, cant say I overly enjoyed it. Couple of things to consider

1/ Will be very difficult if single handed, I had 1 crewman and it was hard work.
2/ Having other boats in the lock that know what they are doing will make a big difference
3/ Big potential for damage to the boat, make sure u are extremely well fendered, lock walls are often quite slimy so expect boat to get quite dirty.
4/ If there is an option to get an assisted passage through the locks then take it, they will push you through.


Crinan canal may not be representative of the dutch locks, they might be a lot easier but as I said I didnt enjoy the experience

 

[IDAMAY]

My only experience was going through the Crinan Canal, cant say I overly enjoyed it. Couple of things to consider

1/ Will be very difficult if single handed, I had 1 crewman and it was hard work.
2/ Having other boats in the lock that know what they are doing will make a big difference
3/ Big potential for damage to the boat, make sure u are extremely well fendered, lock walls are often quite slimy so expect boat to get quite dirty.
4/ If there is an option to get an assisted passage through the locks then take it, they will push you through.


Crinan canal may not be representative of the dutch locks, they might be a lot easier but as I said I didnt enjoy the experience

Crinan isn't at all representative of most Dutch locks which are (a) much bigger and (b) mostly automatically operated, often remotely. I do agree that it will still be much easier double than single handed.

 

[paul salliss]

Why not get some instruction, book a day of instruction using your boat and go in and out of a few locks, will cost you around £ 200 quid, miles cheaper and more fun than repairing your boat, the forum will not solve this you need practical experience from a pro, problem solved

 

[pjf]

Hi,

Sorry, I think I may have posted this on the wrong thread, I have a sailing boat. However I guess it does not make too much difference when it comes to locks. Sharing with big stuff sounds scary!

 

[stillwaters]

Apologies for butting in here but, although I imagine others will tell you the same, do not attempt these locks single handed , especially in a sailing boat, until you have done it with at least one crew member first and have gained enough experience and confidence to feel you can maybe try it alone. Having said that, in the right sort of boat and with just a little bit of understanding of how to go about it, there should be no need for any trepidation and, as we have found, the Dutch locks are not at all difficult but are usually quite relaxing and provide a great opportunity to get to know other boaters, or should I say, 'captive audience'.
However, typically, where a number of boats do lock-through together you may be able to time your entry into the lock so that you are able to tie-up alongside another boat. I think the maximum number of pleasure boats we have accompanied through one lock has been about 35 so this can give you plenty of scope to do it this easier way.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Give us an idea as to where in NL you are going.

Lock at vlissingen , usually yachts are put through the old small lock, which can have a rough ride, however lockkeepers are extremely use to dealing with yachties. Elsewhere in Zeeland either dedicated yacht locks, which can be very large on uk standards, but with plenty of bollards, if you can get to the wall, due to the many craft packed in. Watch out for the eco lock at Krammer, where the salt water is flushed with fresh.

 

[Spi D]

Search Youtube for 'sluis'

Entertaining

 

[sailorman]

Hi,
I am soon going to have to navigate some Dutch locks and as the day draws nearer I am growing increasingly anxious. The reason for for my anxiety is because I have never done or even seen this done before.

Could some none lock virgins, please let me know what the best techniques are. How to make fast, adjust as necessary and let go. I will likely be shorthanded, if not singlehanded.

This is not so much to avoid embarrassment (which I am fairly familiar with) but rather damage to self and others

All advice as always appreciated.

Double posting is not a good idea, let alone 3 TIMES
check here for more answers

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?388126-Dutch-or-any-other-locks-for-that-matter

 

[jeffey]

Done it loads of times cant think of a problem at all even leaving the rompot sluise. huge lock to the north sea was ok in my 30 foot yacht just common sense.

 

[Andrew38]

We did the Dutch locks some years ago - do not expect any orderly behaviour. As soon as the gates open everyone races in, no "first come, first in"

 

[Dill et Bound]

Top tip.. The barges have to displace most of the water in the lock... don t get behind one..They have to use full power to do that.. or you will be 50m back down the canal..and maybe aground...
You only move up or down a 1ft,Mostly,except near the coast.
On the wider canals where you pass a barge, point towards the barge as you get too it, or you will end up facing the bank, They push a mountain of water and create a low pressure bankside..
Gone in through Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Lemmer to Ems estuary, but with a mobo, Napier 36 Fishing boat..You would need to be aware of bridge heights..
I really enjoyed the experience..
Great place to cruise..The Dutch are a great bunch.. Good Beer too..

 

[sailorman]

Top tip.. The barges have to displace most of the water in the lock... don t get behind one..They have to use full power to do that.. or you will be 50m back down the canal..and maybe aground...
You only move up or down a 1ft,Mostly,except near the coast.
On the wider canals where you pass a barge, point towards the barge as you get too it, or you will end up facing the bank, They push a mountain of water and create a low pressure bankside..
Gone in through Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Lemmer to Ems estuary, but with a mobo, Napier 36 Fishing boat..You would need to be aware of bridge heights..
I really enjoyed the experience..
Great place to cruise..The Dutch are a great bunch.. Good Beer too..

NO they import Belgian biers

 

[Dill et Bound]

I was buying it by the plank..
Thats 6 in a row.. Cheaper that way..
I did nt check its origin..

 

[stillwaters]

Top tip.. The barges have to displace most of the water in the lock... don t get behind one..They have to use full power to do that.. or you will be 50m back down the canal..and maybe aground...

I assume you obviously meant to say 'don't get TOO CLOSE behind one' as the order at locks is that where any barges are near enough to use the lock you intend going through then, unless specifically instructed to by the lockmaster via radio, you will be following them in as they have right of way and expect to go first. The really important thing is that you maintain a safe distance astern of them and wait until they are fully settled in the lock before you get any closer than about 100 metres or so. You will know when this is by watching the prop wash fall away. The next thing to remember is that, once you are tethered in the lock, keep your lines taut to ensure that neither the bow or the stern get away from you. It is actually rare for barges to use their engines excessively whilst the lock is operating. However, once the gates open, it is not a bad idea to tie-off until the barges have gone in view of their often need for power to get going again. Importantly, don't be in a hurry to leave if you are following barges through, the safety of your own boat and crew take precedence over everything else. Let them clear out of the lock first and give them at least 100 metres head start or until most of the visible turbulence has settled. It's also worth knowing that the biggest problem they pose is actually the invisible undertow they create. The good news is,though, that with just a little forward planning, a bit of patience and some simple common sense, locks such as those in Holland are easy and can even be a bit of an interesting diversion during a passage. Incidentally, most beer in Holland IS Dutch, with Heineken, Grolsch & Amstel being the most common. However, German & Belgian beers are also readily available just about everywhere.

 

[Dill et Bound]

Yes I did mean too close..
And obviously follow instruction from the lock keepers..
I was nt in Holland to sample the beer..
Just avoiding North Sea gales on a delivery trip to Gothenburg ...