Single-handed through a lock on self-service?

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watson1959

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As hard as I've tried.......I can't get my head around a way to do this (short of using those 'orrible slimey steps that will get the boat dirty :-)

If I'm going down-stream.....easy to get in but then how do I 'leap' down to the boat to exit?

If coming up-stream....I need a super-hero's powers to leap from the boat.

Any suggestions or is this not do-able?
 
I step back onto the roof to exit which is generally the right height, then back through the split window and then into the cockpit. The only locks it is a problem is Boulters and Marlow as they are so deep.

Not sure what type of boat you have? Mine's a Bayliner 285.
 
'suppose you could take a long line from the bow and haul the boat out; but it ain't at all practical.

On the odd occasion when I've been caught lockside, I've resorted to using the steps and wiling my feet on a mat before entering the boat. My vessel is nearer what the locks were designed for than yours.....


If folks (going upstream) were more helpful and left the lock empty (or emptying) behind them - as the are required to do - then there would be less muck on the steps for the likes of us.
 
Sulley said:
I step back onto the roof to exit which is generally the right height, then back through the split window and then into the cockpit. The only locks it is a problem is Boulters and Marlow as they are so deep.

Not sure what type of boat you have? Mine's a Bayliner 285.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately when we go upstream, the lock is generally around shoulder or head height from the cabin roof.....some further.

Looks like a refreshment break if it happens...either way I wont lose sleep....just curious :D
 
All par for the course.

Hi.

Well, short of using a hot air ballon I suppose you will have to get a bit messy when single handing locks. I do it regularly on my annual trip on the Thames using the manual and electric locks. I get mucky, the boat gets mucky but I still thoroughly enjoy myself on this wonderful river.

If you really want the locks cleaned down as they were many years ago then I am afraid that we will all have to pay extra for it.

Regards.

Alan.
 
the_wanderer said:
.... If you really want the locks cleaned down as they were many years ago then I am afraid that we will all have to pay extra for it.

Regards.

Alan.
Click to expand...

The reason put to me was it was not a matter of cost (the lockies could do it when the river was not busy), rather it was a matter of pollution and H&S.

A concentrated alkali was used which was not only very unpleasant to handle but polluted the river and rotted the lock walls as well.

Pressure washing also tended to damage the surface and wasn't as effective as the sodium hydroxide.
 
the_wanderer said:
Hi.

Well, short of using a hot air ballon I suppose you will have to get a bit messy when single handing locks. I do it regularly on my annual trip on the Thames using the manual and electric locks. I get mucky, the boat gets mucky but I still thoroughly enjoy myself on this wonderful river.

If you really want the locks cleaned down as they were many years ago then I am afraid that we will all have to pay extra for it.

Regards.

Alan.
Click to expand...

:D I'll settle for a few minutes waiting for the lockie....feet up...cold beer or a coffee.....big piece of cake.....chlling and, as you say, enjoying the wonderful Thames.......none of that panicking about speed from the tidal bit.....:D
 
TrueBlue said:
If folks (going upstream) were more helpful and left the lock empty (or emptying) behind them - as the are required to do - then there would be less muck on the steps for the likes of us.
Click to expand...

Leave a lock empty or emptying - Thats not a requirement I have heard before.

Surely if you are travelling upstream you leave the lock full and with the top gates and sluices closed (assuming no other boats are approaching).
If you are travelling downstream you leave the bottom gates and sluices closed after you have moved the boat out (again assuming no other boats appproaching).

Single handed through locks is not recommended, of course.
 
That's the way it's always been and what the instructions used to say ( not seen any for a while as we don't have them at Tedders )

Leaving the lock full promotes weed growth on the walls.

There has just been a mail out of a poster from fisheries asking waterways to modify the instructions a bit , due to a fish kill in some lock somewhere where the sluices and gates were left closed at both ends , the oxygen level dropped and killed the fishies.

So now the instruction is to leave the gates closed with the sluices open so they can escape if need be.
 
MartynG said:
Leave a lock empty or emptying - Thats not a requirement I have heard before.

Surely if you are travelling upstream you leave the lock full and with the top gates and sluices closed (assuming no other boats are approaching).
If you are travelling downstream you leave the bottom gates and sluices closed after you have moved the boat out (again assuming no other boats approaching).

Single handed through locks is not recommended, of course.
Click to expand...

AARRGG!
That may be fine (can't remember) on the older square top pedestals, but on the refurbished round top ones; carefully designed to save a boater from himself :( the next boater going in the opposite direction has to go through the automatic sluices up process before he can open the gates.

Irritating as the lock appears to be set for him (i.e. empty or full) but he has to wait for 5+ minutes (or much, much more at Culham) for sluices to operate - even though logically he could just open the gates.

Complete pain. Why did nobody ask the users before modifying the system.......

Please leave the sluices UP (thank you)
 
I have not travelled on the Thames - only done the River Trent which has automated locks.

On the River Trent the gates and sluices are to be left closed.
 
MartynG said:
Single handed through locks is not recommended, of course.
Click to expand...

Single handing through locks is perfectly feasible. I and many others have done it and will, no doubt, continue to do so.

Yes, it is more difficult and planning and preparation is, as always, the key. For a start, longer ropes are usually essential. On my 27 foooter my main lines are around 10-12 metres but I have 2 15 metre lines which I use when single handing.

There is also a significant difference between single handing when other boats are present and able to help, and locking through on ones own. It is also much easier now that self service power is available.

Waiting for the lockie to return to duty is always an option if you do not feel confident to do it yourself but other boats frequently arrive while you are waiting so again there is no need to be johnny no mates if you assist each other.

Hmmmm...... helping each other ....there's a novel idea. I fear I may be beginning to sound like Oldgit :D
 
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Our locks are always "self-service" all 39 of them, it just takes a bit of common sence.

I secure one end on a warp (round the bollard and back to the boat) then work the other end whilst the lock fills/empty's. When I am back aboard I realease the lines from on board and off you go.

The lock pen's round here have to be left empty and the ladders are well used so we dont get the problem with them getting covered in slime.
 
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