Locking out...

[Guest]

Anybody else have any fun with locks (water, not keys!).

I keep my boat at Shotley in Suffolk - there's a lock into the marina that causes no end of fun for yotties and stinkies alike. Most weekend, cock-ups abound. Worst part is, on a hot summer's afternoon on the weekend you get 50+ lockwatchers. I must confess I sometimes join I them once I'm moored up and have armed myself with a cheeky lemon sherbert. And you're always guaranteed a good show!!

Seriously though, it can be tricky. I've only owned a boat for two seasons and have frequently gone through the "why did that go wrong and how do I make sure it doesn't happen again" thing - lock cock-ups included. Nothing makes you appreciate how difficult it is to manoever a boat in a confined space (esp. when that space contains many other boats) than when you're the skipper. I can only admire those who do the lock single handed (next seasons ambition for me!)

One of the most common causes of cock-ups in my experience is crew standing too far forward i.e. hanging over the pull-pit. In order to secure a mooring warp this is one of the worst places to stand I think. The offending crew member then wildly tires to lasso the cleat - much to the amusement of the lockwatchers - as the bow slowly swings out until the boat is sideways across the lock! (much revving, much shouting - marina staff bring out the "panic fender" - die of shame). Standing mid-ships seems to make more sense. The mooring warp/boat hook combination is quite effective also.

But, compared to St.Katherines, Shotley is child's play. I went on the Waldrinfield Sailing Culb trip to London for the secong time this year on a friend's boat. 30 boats charging for one lock is something to behold. By pure fluke we ended up at the front. I'm not sure what happended behind us - but lots of shouting and revving - and then a Westerly Griffon pulled along side - back to font. The skipper had the look of "I haven't got a clue how I got here and I have even less of a clue of how I'm getting out"!!!!

I'm interested to see if anyone else has any good lock experiences - or tries to steer clear of them. I think I'll give the single handed lock a bash next season (no lock watchers though!) - my thoughts were so secure the stern line and then motor against the rope the keep the bow in - and then secure the bow. Anyone tried this - or have a more sensible suggestion?

And yes, for the those on the South Coast, it's all my own fault for been a muddie!!!!!!!!

 

[boatone]

Sounds like you need to spend a day or two on the non-tidal Thames - especially a Bank Holiday weekend. Once you've got used to it locking is a dooddle but I agree the gongoozlers (inland waterways term for lookers-on at locks) can make you feel quite self conscious whilst you're learning.
We have locks every 2-3-4 miles or so and mange several in an average day. Have seen up to 20 boats in some of the bigger locks and we have the hazard of holiday boaters on hire craft.
Most useful hint I can give you is DO THINGS SLOWLY ands have lines ready and crew well briefed on your intentions. Have fun!

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[davidwf]

Its really quite simple

I too am at Shotley and have had my fair share of mishaps, that is until I was told to ensure I get the stern line on first and motor gently against it, you can then steer the bow in and get a line on at your leisure. It works every time in all weathers. just make sure any extra crew on board understand that they are not allowed to lasso the cleat at the bow until the stern is on.

It also works single handed, mind you getting the boat back onto the berth is another matter as the pontoons are shorter than the boats. I have midship cleats but its still a bit of a challenge single handed.

I've also learnt to totally ignore the lock watchers otherwise you get distracted.

 

[toad]

I use Shotley four or five times a year single handed and have found a method that works for me,fenders out both sides,bow line made fast to samson post and coiled on deck,lines from midship cleats led out and back to cockpit(midship cleats are worth there weight in gold)and the two stern lines led out and back in to the cockpit.Have everything ready before you are anywear near the lock,find out which way the stern kicks in reverse and try and berth that side to.Take your time and do not let anyone push you into going any faster.Once you have got your midship line on the boat is not going to go far so you can take your time puting on stern and bow lines,as i said this works for me.St Kathes is differant act like a London taxi,put your foot down and go for the gap, our European neighbours have no concept of the queue.

 

[Guest]

Lenght of pontoons at Shotley

davidwf - couldn't agree more! They do seem a bit short. I've only got a 25 footer, but even so - the length of the pontoons can make a staright forward approach to the berth it a bit dicey!! I've recently moved into the lagoon. It appears the further North you go the shorter the pontoons get!!!!!!!!!

I'm saying nothing about the North/South divide!!!!

 

[davidwf]

Re: Lenght of pontoons at Shotley

I've made up a short rope with a loop to go from my centre cleat to the aft one on the pontoon. Its of such a length that once dropped over the cleat the boat cannot hit the end. This is OK with a crew member who can step ashore and drop it on.

For single handed work I use a bow fender for protection and just stop the boat (hopefully without using the bow fender) in the berth step off and make fast. Assuming theres another boat next to you and you are well fendered the worst that will happen is that you will lay against your neighbour while you tie up. Mind you I only sail single handed in light weather, if I ever get back in high winds my plan is to go onto the linear berths and find a willing volunteer to assist.

A good tip passed onto me by another resident is that if you are unhappy about getting back into your berth due to high winds, as sometimes happens at Shotley, drop your crew off either in the lock or at the linear berths and get them to walk round to your berth to take the lines etc. Makes life so much easier.

 

[Guest]

Locks can certainly be a problem, the biggest one being the lack of pubs alongside. Braunston to Hatton is not too bad, only 46 locks that day but there is a pub at the top. Worcester to Tardebigge is a problem though, 58 locks and no pub at the top!

The other problem can be when the lock is thirty or more feet deep, as often found in Belgium and France, and you have to transfer lines to new levels of bollards as the lock fills or empties. Climbing fifty foot ladders with your papers can be daunting as well.

Our most amusing lock was at Dunkirk, attending the fiftieth anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation. Through no fault of our own we were one of the last of the spectator fleet into the sea lock, and the lock was lined with expensive, large sail and power craft. We were waved down the middle of these through the narrow channel remaining, and the number of yotties who hurt themselves rushing down the companion for fenders was quite high. There was also reportedly heavy trade in the local laundrettes later that day. Most looked relieved as we slid past but at the end of the line there was no escape for the last boats. We stopped our 100 ton shiny black tarry barge alongside two Nic 55's (RN and RAF as I recall, one for the bow, one for the stern) and they kindly consented to look after our lines but would we please keep our tar off their fenders.

The biggest problem for marina yotties is they just do not get enough practice, and practice makes perfect. As somebody else has said, go inland and learn to handle your boat.

 

[Barnacle]

I've found boathooks to hold on to the cleats are a godsend, go alongside to side your boat kicks when you go astern, stop the boat, hang on with your boathook and drop the line over the cleat. Remember the lock watchers are probably mainly envious, and you're the one who's going out sailing!

 

[iainmillett]

Have all you lines ready to throw ashore and take your time.

We all make cock ups but it's the one s that go ballistic that cause the merth.

This happened this year at Heybridge Basin - chap was so self concious in a M/Boat that he pulled one of his cleats out.

On my own, I also use a line amidship initially then take out the other fore and aft lines.

No the trick with cock ups is to look as though you meant it to happen!

St K's - a nightmare unless you enter at or near slackwater. At the time I was told to hover outside the lock - still dont know how I did it!

 

[ChrisJ]

Also from Shotley. Westerly Konsort.
My trick: (as others have said) NEVER tie the bow before the stern. Stern warp from the cleat, outside everything and into my hand. Go to the forward end of the cockpit, and hook a cleat while the boat is still moving forward (i.e. still "under command"). Then smartly back to the tiller and engine controls. Keep the stern warp loose. Hard astern to stop her, and at the same time turn the bow into the side. The crew hooks on at the bow. As soon as the crew has hooked, tighten up on the stern warp, slacken off on the bow (always needed!) and you are all done.

If the crew misses the bow, just tighten up on the stern, and motor gently forwards against the stern warp.

The centre cleats we always leave to last - it gives something for the little ones (were aged 4, now 14) to do.

Cheers, Chris
Bungay Girl.

 

[Guest]

Re: Lenght of pontoons at Shotley

I take it that you have never been to Cherbourg then.
The pontoons there are only about 18ft long...and very light in weight.

I have spent many an evening in Cherbourg watchign crew jump from an arriving yacht onto end of the finger pontoon..only to see it dissapear under the water..then shoot back up into the air throwing the crew all over the place.
i have no problems with short pontoons asi just take everything very very slowly..and i always tell the crew what to expect before we arrive...then when they can see the pontoon i ask them if they understand what they are doing.

it' all down to good communication really...the same as in a lock.

I often go to Port Solent..it's crazy to see the way some skippers treat the crew...

the rule seems to be don't give any instructions until they are at the point of action and then just shout..if they don't understand then shout louder....and if all else fails give it loads of throttle and hit somebody...!!

 

[Davydine]

Re: Locking out... Fun at Haybridge!

We had fun at Haybridge basin this summer. I was sailing with a friend on board his Westerly Warrick and it was Haybridge regatta weekend so the "Old Ship" and surrounding area were heaving with people. Somehow we were at the front of the lock, and had been put in to the middle between a benetau and a gaffer, who both kindly held our lines for us.
After waiting for an age for Colin to squeeze in all of the racing gaffers and smacks in, up we went and the gates opened. As the gates opened a mass of weed floated in to the lock and wrapped itself around our bilge keels.

Needless to say we left the lock very slowly and the boat was bairly controlable. Once secured the skipper went for a swim. After that he needed a drink or two to warm up. Rude not to keep him company!

David

 

[kingfisher]

Never say \'Always\'

That's the same as saying: "when arriving at the pontoon: always attach the stern line first".

Locking rules 101
1) Don't smoke
you don't know what the barge besides you is transporting

2) Don't yell
It kind of ruins the conversation

3) Let her drive
I've seen too many marriages ruined. The husband stand smuggly on the flybridge, messes up his approach, and than yells at his wife for not being able to manualy stop a 20t boat/failing to reach a ring 2 m away. Sorry if I offend people, but she drives, he does the manual work.
Good driving is 90% the work

4) Watch the wind
Here it comes. The wind in locks only comes from two directions, due to the funneling effect. Always attach the upwind line first.
If you have a headwind, and you attach the stern line first, and are unable to attach the front line, forget it. You'll never make it. Better to cast of the stern line, and start from scratch, than having the wind pivot you, whereby you end up in the wrong direction, with half your pushpit bent.
Similar for the wind in the back, front line first situation.

5) Work with the prop walk.
Start close to the wall, REALY close. If your fenders are not scraping the wall, you are not close enough. The front man stands on the bow, the rear man at the beamiest part of the boat. Remember: you have to go towards the ring, don't wait for the ring to come to you.
As soon as you pass the (what is going to be the rear) ring, thread the warp through, but leave it slack.
Move forward to the forward ring, steer towards it, as to ram it. At the right moment (depends on your prop walk) put it in reverse.

6) Have the boathook ready

7) Single handed
Attach both ends of a mooring rope to the midships cleat, so that the bight lies in the cockpit. Motor her towards a mooring pile, slip over bight, and use it as a spring. Presto.

8) Why rush ?
Let others in before you, and they'll have the trouble of picking the spot. Go in late, and moor alongside. You're not against a concrete wall full of weed; you can tie the cleats, and you leave the lock before them. Just don't forget to say thank you.

9) Better rope work
0-30cm away: slip it over.
30cm-1m: use the boat hook
1m+: coil up the rope, coils must be smaller than the niche of the bollard. One side of rope attached to cleat, other firmly clasped in left hand (if right handed). 5-6 coils in right hand. Throw coils in niche. One or two is bound to go over the bollard. Practice makes perfect, but you should see the look on other boaters faces. First they smile smuggly, because they see you miss the approach and expect the unavoidable. And then their jaws drop, as you lasso a bollard from 1,5m. Hilarious

10) Stay attached
When you have to shift from one bollard to another, never detach the rope. slacken the rope, take a bight, put that over the new bollard, and only then detach the previous.

11) Watch out for....
... bubble screens to separate salt water from river water. Increase speed for better steering, and cut revs just before going through the bubbles (certainly outbords): the prop has less resistance, and revs go up wildly
... barges: when they depart, they have to move a large amount of water. As soon as the lock opens to let everyone out, make one or two turns on the cleat. That way, if your boat gets caught by the propwash, you can handle it. I've seen too man hands rope-burned and boats washed against the wall.

12) Murphy's law
Even if there's nothing that can go wrong, something still will go wrong.
Just try to control the damage



Obi-Wan

 

[Twister_Ken]

Not a lock specialist, but have sailed with a friend based in the Netherlands on a few occasions. Her secret weapon - a girt big pole with a boat hook on one end and a sort of rubber bumper on the other. One end for pulling, one for pushing. Can be used to push against walls or other boats or even the bottom of the lock, or hooked onto chains and lines to pull.