Ipswich Lock free flow?

Colin24

Colin24

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Anyone know what state of the tide corresponds to ‘free flow’ at Ipswich lock?
Or if this info is available on line somewhere.
Also how long is the period of free flow (I expect it’s vary, depending on neaps–springs)
If I get a rough idea I can fudge the rest from the tide tables.

Colin
 
Usually about 1hr at Springs and 30 to 45 mins at Neaps... split either side of HW... some big tides its a bit longer.... exact timing is to a certain extent at the whim of the lock keeper, and whether or not they have anything large coming through.... and hence need to remove the pontoon etc etc

Out of curiosity, why are you asking?
 
“Why am I asking”


Stuck at work and bored.
musing about where and when to take the boat to next.
Most of my modest journeys involve taking the ebb down the river - getting to anywhere within reach, depending on the wind and timing my return to let the flood help me back up the river. I've only recently moved into the marina (thanks for your helpful advice at that time)
I'm always single handed, so if departing an hour or so earlier or later means catching the free flow it saves me the hassle of locking in/out.
Not that it’s any great hardship.

Good luck with the house sale.

Colin
 
If you dont get thro n free flow then BE CAREFUL; its the worst lock I have ever been thro' - the turbulance is awful esp at the Ipswich end. We have done plenty of locks in europe so not inexperienced; first time thro ipswich we did our normal proceedure - ropes once round lock side and once round boat ready to veer; the water came into lock with such force the boat was nearly rammed into the opposite wall; wife's fingers were skinned v badly & took weeks to heal; fortunately no one fell off 'cos dont know where they would have gone - awful experience. V V careful now - always go onto pontoon and properly tie up etc; we are more careful going thro Ipswich lock than any other time we sail!!!
 
Wow that sound awful, I have been thru the lock just 6 times so far and as it’s the only one I’ve ever used, I’ve nothing to compare it to.
I’ve not had any problems. 23’ MAB
My only reluctance is displaying my kak-handed berthing technique and the time it takes.
The lock keeper has always offered helpful advise –including telling me to stay close to the river end.
 
Only time its ever a problem is when you are being cycled through at LW, and its busy...

I chatted to the lock-keeper about this....

Apparently there are several 'gates' that they can open in the lock gates to let water in, and when its busy they open more to fill the lock quicker...

If there are few boats in the lock, just stay to the sea end of the lock, put springs on, and its fine....

Otherwise, just mind your fingers!
 
I was in that lock a few years ago, boat secured already, admiring a nice new shiny AWB's manoeuvrability nearby, when a swirl took her and slammed her into my pushpit, causing some interesting bends in the stainless and sagging of the guardrails. Thank goodness for the heavy GRP layup (my 70s boat) - just a few more dents. They were mortified.. first time out, pore things - and their lovely new toy was bashed and scraped. I felt very sorry for them. Then I decided I liked my stubborn hard-mouthed old horse of a long keeler better - could take more (and give more) than a thin-skinned new beauty.

I never thought the lock was too bad, though - lots of fenders, springs...

Still miss that boat ...

S x
 
One of my best sail training vessel memories of this look was early nineties; we took a 72-foot ketch though the look on free flow under full sail (broad reach), having first got the OK from lock keeper of course. These days, probably a bit to busy there to do it now.
 
As we are berthed at Neptune Marina, we use this lock every time we sail! So long as you tie up adequately, no problem, even at the Ipswich end.
Just for the record, because of the type of gate they used to have there (lifting up from the bottom) they don't call it free flow, they 'have a level'. These old gates could only be opened when they had a level. If you ask for this, it will save the lock keeper correcting you! (they do it ever so nicely though!) They also play appropriate music as you pass through, to keep spirits up whilst you wait! Where else do you get that?
Terry Burdett
 
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