River Etiquette

[markc]

Hi

Being back on the river after some years on the coast I have noticed some strange behaviour between Boulters lock and Bray lock heading down stream. It seems that there is an unofficial race between the two locks, presumably due to Bray being so small. Yesterday I left Boulters as the first boat and was moving at at least the speed limit and yet everyone was flying past me. This included a small outboard powered Shetland boat that was virtually on the plane, and a V45 that was also pushing out some lumpy wash, (which I was worried that I would get the blame for). In each case the skippers were staring dead ahead, pretending I wasn’t there or that I didn’t know what they were doing. So, should I expect some good manners from fellow skippers, or should I sod everyone else on the river and embark on a race of nerve along that stretch to see who will chicken out of the race first?

Mark

 

[boatone]

So, should I expect some good manners from fellow skippers, or should I sod everyone else on the river and embark on a race of nerve along that stretch to see who will chicken out of the race first?

I doubt that you are someone who would feel comfortable saying 'sod everyone else' .

You are quite right about the Boulters to Bray downstream run though and I think it is a mad urge to try and get ahead of as many boats as possible to try and minimise waiting time.
This last weekend was the busiest we have seen the river this year and, in spite of having no assistants, I thought Cookham, Boulters and Bray did an excellent job.

Difficult to know how to curb the offenders without more visible river patrols but mentioning courtesy here should rub off on some if we do it often enough. (My Standard VHF has an emergency vehicle type siren as well as a tannoy speaker - very tempting )

Good weekend, I thought, and No Regrets was a star!

 

[Ramage]

Good weekend, I thought, and No Regrets was a star!

Why? What did he do?

 

[markc]

Yes, I must say that the lock keepers were brilliant. Thankfully, the chap at Bray (not sure of his name) stayed on after 6 to clear the queue of boats that had arrived before 6 (us being one of them), and all still had a warm welcome despite the heat and the hard weekend behind them - very much appreciated by me.

Oh, and I agree - No Regrets did a sterling job!

Mark

 

[apollo]

Why? What did he do?

Boatone had some obstructions "down below", and NR dived down and cleared them up!

Oeer missus!

 

[Ramage]

Boatone had some obstructions "down below", and NR dived down and cleared them up!

Oeer missus!

Dynorod eat your heart out!!

Who needs medics with No Regrets about.....


(Serious mode on: Well done John! Serious mode off).

 

[boatone]

Dynorod eat your heart out!!
Who needs medics with No Regrets about.....

No, not that sort of obstruction. Managed to pick up a line round the starb'd prop and John offered to dive under to take a look and removed it - while lots of others looked on and offered advice of various (mainly unhelpful) descriptions

 

[Richard Shead]

And you did not turn the key???

 

[Ramage]

And you did not turn the key???

 

[watson1959]

Etiquette....

Hi

Being back on the river after some years on the coast I have noticed some strange behaviour between Boulters lock and Bray lock heading down stream. It seems that there is an unofficial race between the two locks, presumably due to Bray being so small. Yesterday I left Boulters as the first boat and was moving at at least the speed limit and yet everyone was flying past me. This included a small outboard powered Shetland boat that was virtually on the plane, and a V45 that was also pushing out some lumpy wash, (which I was worried that I would get the blame for). In each case the skippers were staring dead ahead, pretending I wasn’t there or that I didn’t know what they were doing. So, should I expect some good manners from fellow skippers, or should I sod everyone else on the river and embark on a race of nerve along that stretch to see who will chicken out of the race first?

Mark

Unfortunately between Henley and Wargrave yesterday it was equally hectic: busy, rushing to get ahead etc. and more than one set of yobs... One boatful of complete to$$ers in particular:around 12 of them on a Sealine 200 or similar; grossly overloaded (both the boat and the drunken pykies onboard) to the point where when motoring in a possibly straight line they were listing at about 20 degrees ....it was unleasant to watch. Had they turned at any speed I'm quite sure it would have capsized. Cans in hand, music blasting, single or two-fingered gestures to everyone in sight.

When we approached Marsh Lock (with 3 lockies on duty, I assume for the sheer volume of traffic on such a beautiful day) I decided it was better to let them in before me, even though I had passed them whilst they meandered drunkenly about. At least with them in front I could moor safely. The lockies were clearly a little wary, especially when one of the more sober ones explained they hadnt slept for 48hrs either! In the end, we managed to motor away from them as they were clearly not in complete control and steering all over the place. Unfortunately, when we then stopped for a cold beer at the George & Dragon at Wargrave they bloody well turned up there too....at the point they started asking one of my son's friends 'what he was staring at?', I decided it was time to move on.....

Shame I didnt have the canon with me

 

[watson1959]

Etiquette

Hi

So, should I expect some good manners from fellow skippers, or should I sod everyone else on the river and embark on a race of nerve along that stretch to see who will chicken out of the race first?

Mark

I apologize....in my rant above I didnt address your question: I say bugger 'em....let 'em all rush off, stressed, adrenaline flowing, eyes wild, teeth gritted, whilst yoy open a cold beer......notch down a knot or two....and just enjoy the river. The lock will still be there when you get there...and hopefully the ones in a rush will also have gone ahead so you can relax....

Cheers!

 

[Brayman]

Henley Reach was full of anything that floats on our way back from Cookham. Very nearly crushed two litluns on the Marsh Lock lay by. Luckily I have a wedding to attend at Regatta weekend. Marsh lock sluices were playing up while we were at the front of the lock, nearly burnt my hands - Nigel, the lockkeepehr did apologise to SWMBO but not me!

No Regrets is now Boatone's best friend, by the way

 

[No Regrets]

The Race to the lock is quite common, and easily avoided by setting off a little early, subtly blocking outrageous overtaking manoeuvres, and giving your gunwhales a good scrub if you're waiting for a long time

Boatone has always been a good friend, but I would always endeavour to help a fellow Boater if the need arises. I thought that's what us Boating fellows did!

 

[pande]

Henley Reach was full of anything that floats on our way back from Cookham. Very nearly crushed two litluns on the Marsh Lock lay by. Luckily I have a wedding to attend at Regatta weekend. Marsh lock sluices were playing up while we were at the front of the lock, nearly burnt my hands - Nigel, the lockkeepehr did apologise to SWMBO but not me!

Good job I didn't come back if you nearly crushed a couple of littluns
I'm surprised that they didn't shout at me for overtaking the queque - I did get some funny looks but when I turned round they smiled and waved!!
E xx

 

[Sulley]

Watson, I saw the heavily loaded drunken Sealine when we were moored at Henley on Sunday morning as it went past blasting music. I was amazed how many people were on it!

Henley was packed with anything that floats including multiple swimmers in the narrow channel which made navigation fun. We were heading back down to Cookham for Sunday night for some peace and quiet

 

[watson1959]

Etiquette

Watson, I saw the heavily loaded drunken Sealine when we were moored at Henley on Sunday morning as it went past blasting music. I was amazed how many people were on it!

QUOTE]

.....and so you can imagine what they were like when we first had the pleasure of their company around 2pm when they were 'possibly' a glass of dry sherry or two even further into their voyage...still : few and far between thank God.

 

[bumperdump]

we to saw this boat