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Driving/ Steering

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[quote][i]Originally posted by KK[/i]
[br]A couple of people have asked about learning to steer their boats and there's been some very good advice with which I'd agree, such as turning the wheel a little way and waiting around 30 seconds before making any further adjustments, getting a rudder and watching out for wind gusts and currents (although the latter not applicable on canals)

Have also found going slightly more slowly helpful, and we filled the front locker with tins, jars and packets of food (to cut down on having to shop) which helped keep the nose a little down, plus every time we filled up with water we stored it either on the front deck or at the front inside, and added a bike to the front as well!

Concentration is needed, but we managed to have a few sessions when it was possible to take in the lovely canal banks and "Zen" out. At times we felt as if we were in a pinball machine in narrow bits such as old stop locks and indeed entering and/or leaving locks. We found the fenders seemed to get trapped and flung us quite roughly from side to side. Is there any one type of fender preferable?
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T O P I C R E V I E W
KK	Posted - 25 May 2016 : 17:39:29 A couple of people have asked about learning to steer their boats and there's been some very good advice with which I'd agree, such as turning the wheel a little way and waiting around 30 seconds before making any further adjustments, getting a rudder and watching out for wind gusts and currents (although the latter not applicable on canals) Have also found going slightly more slowly helpful, and we filled the front locker with tins, jars and packets of food (to cut down on having to shop) which helped keep the nose a little down, plus every time we filled up with water we stored it either on the front deck or at the front inside, and added a bike to the front as well! Concentration is needed, but we managed to have a few sessions when it was possible to take in the lovely canal banks and "Zen" out. At times we felt as if we were in a pinball machine in narrow bits such as old stop locks and indeed entering and/or leaving locks. We found the fenders seemed to get trapped and flung us quite roughly from side to side. Is there any one type of fender preferable?
2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
KK	Posted - 16 Jun 2016 : 17:23:48 Thanks
cliveshep	Posted - 26 May 2016 : 04:36:50 Well, if you have the money you could fit workboat-type rubber "D" fendering 2/3 of the way up each side maybe 20cm above the waterline. Google "Cheverton work-boats" to see what I mean. At 20cm or maybe less - 15cms (6 inches) above waterline - the bigger D-section should protrude beyond your gunwhale so you can slide along locksides quite happily, secure in the knowledge that you aren't contributing to the decay of the canal network infrastructure! I suggest the Fendertec DD section, slip a flat piece of thin galvanised steel inside, bore a 12mm hole in the outside, drill through steel strip, fender back and boat, bolt up. Then cut 12mm plugs from a scrap bit and glue them into the holes, sand off. Taper the ends and block with hardwood siliconed in place or buy proper ends. http://www.fendertec.com/dd-fenders/ Finally living the dream!

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