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Dwall
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
 Posted - 07 May 2014 : 09:41:03
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Was out the other day going into a lock when a narrow boat came a long and was insisting that we should share the lock, he was most put out when I explained that plastic and metal boats don't mix in locks and he would have to wait !!! He went off calling me all the names under the sun 
Am I right that we don't share locks with metal narrow boats??
And has any one had the same problem?
Dave |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 09:54:26
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We can share them with a few precautions. Always insist they go in first and also insist that they must rope off. Some will say they can control their boat with the engine. NO! The force of the water entering the lock and shoving the narrow boat can put quite a squeeze on us plastics. Dependent on the setup, make sure the paddles that exit the lock wall opposite the narrow boat are opened first so pushing the NB against the wall.
Then make sure you are first to leave!
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 12:25:31
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Never had any problems sharing locks with a narrowboat unless it's a wide beam. As mentioned metal in first and out last. I usually keep to the rear of them in case the force of water pulls their bow out when filling a lock.
It is your option though if your first there, it's your call same as when I ask a narrowboat if they don't mind sharing a lock if they are first in, usually they are ok, no ones ever said no yet.
Did get narked once when I was second in and another narrowboat came up behind and said we would have to wait as better that two narrowboats went in together....made him wait for the next fill |
Edited by - Knighty on 07 May 2014 12:26:13 |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 19:08:33
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I've always had plastic boats but take the attitude that if theres room in a lock they come in, preferably first, even if plastic is there first if you're not prepared to share the lock you should let them go through first, theres enough problems with lack of water in the summer months on some sections to waste it.
I've upset other cruisers in locks by insisting on waiting for the NB that's just round the corner before shutting gates, it's everyones river/canal.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 20:24:02
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So much depends on the size and shape of the locks. As DF will testify, some locks on the Gt Ouse have been widened and have a 'lay bye' in the side. Effectivly making them double width, but with one set of gates offset. A long narrow boat can't get in the lay bye, but a cruiser or two can. So it makes perfect sense for the narrowboat to come in last. There is no danger to the cruisers as the narrow boat is not going to suddenly go sideways and fold in two. Most narrow boaters tend to rope up in locks on the Gt Ouse anyway as they are quite wide and the boat could end up anywhere.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 07:17:13
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Once the boats are in the lock damage is quite unlikely unless you work the paddles like a madman. Even though there is a huge weight difference there is not usually enough room for the boats to gain much momentum, and most boaters are reasonable folk. On the Grand Union where we are (in a narrowboat...) we don't see many cruisers but the ones we do see are happy to share a lock and there is never a drama. Just don't be shy of taking control of the process if necessary!
Oh, and in most of the wide locks near us it's best to open the paddle on the same side as the boat first as the water comes in below the hull, scoots across horizontally than bounces off the opposite wall and comes back at you higher up, thus keeping the bow against the side wall. Counter-intuitive. |
Edited by - IanM on 08 May 2014 07:21:18 |
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Dwall
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 14:05:00
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| Thanks for that this is are 1st year so leaning all the time |
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Dolly
United Kingdom
54 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2014 : 18:39:33
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We had a scare last bank holiday at St Ives lock, as we approached the lock there was a cruiser already in the lock coming out towards us, there was a narrow boat moored on the pontoon on the left hand side, he was in the middle of the pontoon so i could not moor up behind him or in front of him so I just circled around untill the cruiser in the lock came out, he signaled to me to go first and go into the lay-by which I did,there is loads of room in this lock, he came in and his wife got off the boat and was standing on the side, i wasn't taking any notice what they were doing.
My son tied us off and went up to open the lock followed by the lady from the narrow boat, my son started to open the lock furthest from the NB, all looked good untill the NB bow started to move towards us the fellow on the NB was shouting to his wife who was standing by lock to grab the rope that he was holding but he was at the stern i shouted to my son to close the lock while my wife and myself tried to stop the NB from hitting us with two boat hooks while telling his wife to tie off the bow, the NB moved about 5ft across towards us and came with in about a foot of making contact.
After it all settled down the NB owner got off and tied the bow off, i did tell him it was a bit late now, sorry can't print what i actually said, he said he never ties it off in the locks.
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ben111
United Kingdom
35 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2014 : 12:12:48
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in the past we have had one or two close encounter's with narrow boats so we tend not to share with them if at all possible but if we do have to then i keep a very close eye on them.
Ben111 |
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canalboy1949
United Kingdom
115 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2014 : 21:20:42
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| Having been the owner of both a fibreglass cruiser (Wavey Rider Wanderer 18ft) and a steel narrowboat (Springer 32ft) I have never had problems sharing locks. I can't comment on the Ouse but on the Wanderer I shared several Grand Union wide locks with a 58ft steel boat with no problems, and with the Springer I have shared narrow locks with small cruisers. You just have to be careful to hold the steel boat tight and be steady opening the paddles, a bit of common sense goes a long way! |
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Locks
