Great Canal Journeys

[snowleopard]

Is it just me or is Timothy West the most unskilled helmsman on the waterways - despite 50 years of experience?

 

[Richard10002]

Is it just me or is Timothy West the most unskilled helmsman on the waterways - despite 50 years of experience?

My guess was self taught and probably not willing to take advice, or seek instruction. He is "of an age".

On the other hand, you can't beat the wind, a 60ft boat is a lot to handle, and everyone makes a cock up, every now and then.

 

[byron]

Is it just me or is Timothy West the most unskilled helmsman on the waterways - despite 50 years of experience?

Boat handling isn't an exact art. Some people never learn others are just naturals. I recall a Lady who's old man never let her touch the wheel. She came to me for lessons and within 15 minutes was amazing. Within half an hour I had her single handling a 36' boat and bringing it alongside so gently she wouldn't crack an egg, She was a natural. Other folk with thrusters bow, aft, twin screws and 3 crew plus 25 years experience still handle boats like a sack of spuds.

 

[oldgit]

I can always do much better than anybody I am watching......until its my turn !
Thought the journey through France episode was stunning.

 

[Brayman]

Is it just me or is Timothy West the most unskilled helmsman on the waterways - despite 50 years of experience?

I was building that impression myself. Thankfully he is unlikely to make it on to the Thames. Maybe if he adjusted the throttle occasionally he would fare better.

 

[Capt Popeye]

I was building that impression myself. Thankfully he is unlikely to make it on to the Thames. Maybe if he adjusted the throttle occasionally he would fare better.

Humm I was thinking that he did not adjust or take way off his boat, or the hire ones, but appeared to just plow on until he hit /touched another boat or lock gates and smilled, apologising. But then I thought is is the Producer /Director stating the shots, good tele or something

 

[MinorSwing]

I wondered whether is eye sight is bad but he won't wear glasses on camera.

 

[Rascal Joe]

They should set a good example by:
1. learning to throw lines rather than jumping on and off
2. if they must jump on and off (at manual locks) then always wear a life jacket

People planning to hire Thames boats this summer will watch and accept bad habits...

 

[TrueBlue]

I think it was all down to the Direction. I can't believe Tim West is as poor as that after all his years of boating.
Hitting things occurred in every episode as did shot out of sequence and Pru's Alzheimer.
Mark you if you've got a cameraman on your gunnel, you'd be somewhat put off.

 

[Capt Popeye]

I saw a recording of the last episode last night, where the boat had wheel steering and he was making a pigs ear of helming, according to the shots and commentary. The previous episodes he had direct tiller steering, so the wheel steering appeared to get to him, lurching perhaps tis was his eyesight?
On reflection, in earlier episodes he seemed not to check that the 'crew' had actually cast off properly, especially as the 'crew' has memory problems, but then again a production idea? who knows?

 

[Brayman]

I saw a recording of the last episode last night, where the boat had wheel steering and he was making a pigs ear of helming, according to the shots and commentary. The previous episodes he had direct tiller steering, so the wheel steering appeared to get to him, lurching perhaps tis was his eyesight?
On reflection, in earlier episodes he seemed not to check that the 'crew' had actually cast off properly, especially as the 'crew' has memory problems, but then again a production idea? who knows?

If some Film Director had instructed me to crash my boat (even if it was a hire boat and not my own) I'm sure I wouldn't have done as directed!

 

[TrueBlue]

If some Film Director had instructed me to crash my boat (even if it was a hire boat and not my own) I'm sure I wouldn't have done as directed!

Well it wasn't Tim's boat - it was a hire boat (a different one in each episode. perhaps he wrote them off, serially.....).

Judging by the (similar) comments on another forum, you're not alone. Even so most of the posts there have been positive and folks enjoyed all 4.
Now, I wonder what the general public thought?

 

[oldgit]

Err ..Hands up who has never departed with something still firmly attached to the shore....nobody?........only me obviously.

 

[Bru]

I can't believe Tim West is as poor as that after all his years of boating. .

I can!

Lovely couple, hopeless boaters

 

[oldgit]

Much rather spend the day with a couple of boaters with a very relaxed attitude to their boating than an uptight martinet.