Single handing locks

[StevieH]

I have just sold my Bavaria 36 yacht after more than 30 years of sailing and am considering buying a motor boat for use on the Thames -I am thinking something around 26-30ft, single diesel engine on a shaft drive and with a bow thruster. I am keen not to be solely reliant on the availability crew, so that I can maximise my time afloat.

Having benefitted greatly from the sailing forum over the years I am hoping the collective knowledge of this forum will be able to give me some sound advice on the reality/feasibility of single handing a boat through Thames locks. My previous experience of locks is limited to canals and narrowboats.

I have done a fair amount of research on the Thames and its locks it seems a positive is the fact that most are manned at various times and the gates/paddles are electronically controlled. During the peak months the chances of being the only boat in the lock are no doubt limited.

My research suggest that some lockkeepers are very friendly and helpful and some are, well, the opposite, so I am not clear if they provide assistance.

All thoughts, advice and guidance most welcome.

 

[Pump-Out]

Well, how long have you got...


The EA do have responsibility for managing the locks and weirs. Evidently they cant be expected to provide cover 24/7 (other than Teddington, but don't start me there), but they are short staffed. This is partially because of a freeze by No 11 on recruitment, and partly because some posts simply have not been filled following retirement.

If there is no weir work/other admin/grounds keeping then the keepers are "on the gates" and additional staff will help with taking lines.

On a busy sunny weekend you will find that a lock has either a plethora of staff- including the dedicated volunteers- or no people at all. There is an issue with the union over volunteers manning locks in place of an unpaid member of staff, which is partially the cause of this.

However, to answer your question the operation of the powered locks is a doddle.

Moor boat, walk to lock, flood/drain as required; open gates; walk back to boat; move boat to alongside in lock; leave moored with no locking turns; shut gates; drain/fill lock (this is the cleaver bit - the automatic locks pause the sluices opening into two/three minute blocks so that you can go back and man your lines whilst the sluices look after themselves) - Open gates; move and moor boat; walk back and shut gates.

If you are fortunate a boat is coming the other way as you leave and they crew of that boat will relives you of the need to moor-up and close the gates. Generally people are friendly and helpful, and look out for those running single handed. I say generally....

But you will soon get the hang of it and it's really not a struggle.
Does that help?

 

[StevieH]

Pump-Out,

Many thanks for your very helpful and comprehensive reply.

Yes, it is very helpful and your point about the clever bit with the sluices enabling you to man the lines is most helpful, as this was one of my main concerns.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

There should be considerably more manned locks next year because the EA have recently taken on around 15 more paid relief lock keepers.

The only real hazard with having no keeper is using the stairwells to get on or off the Boat. Sometimes these are quite narrow and covered in slimy algae.

So be careful.

Single handing is fine. I have taken various different Boats through every Thames lock single manned including a 72ft narrow and a 58ft x 12 Ditch barge. No problems.
Just take it easy and never be in a rush to do anything.

 

[paulbrown22]

We're based on the tidal Thames at Greenwich so mostly manned locks so far for St Kat's, Limehouse, etc., although we hope to explore further upriver as the children get older.

But on the boat question itself, my Saga 26 HT is a single engine, shaft drive with bow thruster which I absolutely love for this area, and much of my time is single handing it (even if the family are on board!). Personally I wouldn't want to go much beyond 30' in the Thames just for ease of berthing if nothing else. I delivered an ACM 31 Elite round from the East Coast to Greenwich earlier this year which was a lovely boat as well, also single Yanmar engine on a shaft + thruster, but maybe not quite as solidly put together.

P

Post in thread 'Should I buy a Saga 26?'

27 Oct 2025

We had an amazing weekend taking our Saga 26 HT to St Katherine Docks in Central London for the first time, with the whole family onboard too for an overnight adventure. A great location, loads to entertain two small children, shops and cafes a plenty, lovely modern and clean marina facilities. The staff were all super helpful and I was surprised that we were the only vessel movement through the lock all weekend. We were pretty much the smallest boat there too! Winter rates started in October as well so whilst still an expensive berth, can't really complain for the experience over the half...

• paulbrown22

• 

 

[billskip]

these are quite narrow and covered in slimy algae.

This^^^^

Just take it easy and never be in a rush to do anything.

And this^^^^

And don't you or crew use hands or feet as fenders....

 

[StevieH]

There should be considerably more manned locks next year because the EA have recently taken on around 15 more paid relief lock keepers.

The only real hazard with having no keeper is using the stairwells to get on or off the Boat. Sometimes these are quite narrow and covered in slimy algae.

So be careful.

Single handing is fine. I have taken various different Boats through every Thames lock single manned including a 72ft narrow and a 58ft x 12 Ditch barge. No problems.
Just take it easy and never be in a rush to do anything.

Thanks Outinthedingy, very helpful advice.

 

[StevieH]

Paul, many thanks for the post above and the link to your posts on the Motor Boat forum.

A Saga 26HT is on my shortlist of options and I think it is now decision made, having read your very positive reports!