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Single manning of canal boat

sue1

By sue1
in Boat Handling

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sue1 Explorer

sue1

Posted
Posted

Hi all, this is one of many question i`ll be putting on this forum, is it possible to cruise around the canal network and deal with lock by yourself, or does it require 2 people, i`m thinking ahead i wish to live on a boat but it will be by myself

 

Thanks for your help

susan

sheriff Collaborator

sheriff

Posted
Posted

Hi all, this is one of many question i`ll be putting on this forum, is it possible to cruise around the canal network and deal with lock by yourself, or does it require 2 people, i`m thinking ahead i wish to live on a boat but it will be by myself

 

Thanks for your help

susan

yes and plenty of single handed females manage by themself...even women on fuel boats...practise/take your time/watch other solo boaters.....IM a single handed boater and manage find.........your find plenty of advice on here from the collective....

 

good luck............

sue1 Explorer

sue1

Posted
  • Author
Posted

yes and plenty of single handed females manage by themself...even women on fuel boats...practise/take your time/watch other solo boaters.....IM a single handed boater and manage find.........your find plenty of advice on here from the collective....

 

good luck............

Thanks for that i was worried about that bit, but you have put my mind to rest

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi all, this is one of many question i`ll be putting on this forum, is it possible to cruise around the canal network and deal with lock by yourself, or does it require 2 people, i`m thinking ahead i wish to live on a boat but it will be by myself

 

Quick answer is yes. There's a book that's about going it alone (I think that may be the title!) which has some handy tips in it. I'll see if I can find link....

 

Edit to add: Believe this is the book: Colin Edmondson's Going it Alone - a boater's thoughts on single handed boating (don't have it myself, but it's been recommend here a few times) http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/singleorder.htm

Edited by Robbo
sociable_hermit Experienced

sociable_hermit

Posted
Posted (edited)

Single width locks are nice, wide locks need a bit of care, swing or lift bridges are a pain.

 

It's all do-able but sometimes you need to learn some tricks from those who've done it before, so you're wise to ask here.

 

Single-manning also slows you down at first, so add maybe 30% onto any journey plans from sites like CanalPlanAC. Experienced single boaters are another matter, I've followed individuals in the past and we've had a crew of 2 or 3 and struggled to keep up :)

Edited by sociable_hermit
mykaskin Experienced

mykaskin

Posted
Posted

I'd point out that it would help greatly to learn boating with a crew of at least two until you know how to handle boats and canal structures and be complete aware of all the problems that can befall you. You don't want to 'learn' when you are all alone and trapped in the middle of nowhere.

 

Good luck,

 

Mike

 

ps. for 'learn' read "have a major injury".

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted

Hi all, this is one of many question i`ll be putting on this forum, is it possible to cruise around the canal network and deal with lock by yourself, or does it require 2 people, i`m thinking ahead i wish to live on a boat but it will be by myself

 

Waterways World magazine has an article for single handling in February's edition.

Davidss Collaborator

Davidss

Posted
Posted (edited)

This thread contains relevant advice and comments about buoyancy aids, relevant to single manning on a canal boat.

 

Re the booklet, treat it as a 'thought provoker', not a bible. If you aren't sure of a suggestion, think up what you would do instead.

TBH, it's a bit chicken and egg, practicing as part of a double act is fine, but until you have done a bit of single manning you might not appreciate just what differences you have to work into your procedures, or your boat design / layout.

 

HTH

Edited by Davidss
Scholar Gypsy Veteran II

Scholar Gypsy

Posted
Posted

I would commend a light line running along the roof from the stern, connected to a bowline/loop in the bow rope.

 

Very handy when using ladders to climb out of an empty lock - you just take the line with you and then do the awkward bit of pulling up a heavy bow rope when you are safely on the lockside.

 

You can see it in ready for use here and in action (sort of) here.

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted

yeah, just read that. why oh why, tie the boat down in a narrow lock?? And bow and stern? Please ignore the advise from that article...

 

If you have a smaller than lock boat it is very useful to keep control of the boat especially if it's quite a violent lock.

luctor et emergo Veteran II

luctor et emergo

Posted
Posted

If you have a smaller than lock boat it is very useful to keep control of the boat especially if it's quite a violent lock.

 

yes, with the centre line. half turn round bollard if needed, always controlled, in the hand, by the boater. Tying boat down with two ropes is recipe for disaster.

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted

yes, with the centre line. half turn round bollard if needed, always controlled, in the hand, by the boater. Tying boat down with two ropes is recipe for disaster.

 

I find the centre line never stops the boat from going forward or back enough as there's never a centre bollard in the right place. I don't tie, I use just wrap the rope around the bollard about 4 times. That way I can control both if needed from afar. I'm 50ft by 12ft, so on most locks I have width to control a well..

IanM Experienced

IanM

Posted
Posted

If you have a smaller than lock boat it is very useful to keep control of the boat especially if it's quite a violent lock.

 

Surely being 'delicate' with the paddles would be a better idea?

 

Watch the boat and raise the paddles accordingly.

furnessvale Influencer

furnessvale

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi all, this is one of many question i`ll be putting on this forum, is it possible to cruise around the canal network and deal with lock by yourself, or does it require 2 people, i`m thinking ahead i wish to live on a boat but it will be by myself

 

Thanks for your help

susan

 

Just relax and work safely. If you are alone at a lock you have all the time in the world. If others are queueing they will help you through or continue to queue, their choice.

 

George ex nb Alton retired

Edited by furnessvale
Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted (edited)

Surely being 'delicate' with the paddles would be a better idea?

 

Watch the boat and raise the paddles accordingly.

 

I'm on the Aire and Calder, our locks are automated, but I still find on manual locks it's better for me.

Edited by Robbo
ditchcrawler Veteran II

ditchcrawler

Posted
Posted

yeah, just read that. why oh why, tie the boat down in a narrow lock?? And bow and stern? Please ignore the advise from that article...

I am glad I wasn't the only one to say that .

rgreg Experienced

rgreg

Posted
Posted

If you have a smaller than lock boat it is very useful to keep control of the boat especially if it's quite a violent lock.

One method often used to keep the boat steady when locking uphill single-handed is to leave it in forward gear so the bow fender rides up the cill.

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted

One method often used to keep the boat steady when locking uphill single-handed is to leave it in forward gear so the bow fender rides up the cill.

 

I wouldn't recommend that for newbies...

Chris Pink Veteran II

Chris Pink

Posted
Posted

yes and plenty of single handed females manage by themself...even women on fuel boats...practise/take your time/watch other solo boaters.....IM a single handed boater and manage find.........your find plenty of advice on here from the collective....

 

good luck............

 

so......

 

how do you descend Bath deep lock with a 50 foot narrow boat single handed?

 

(I ask this as one who has been boating, often single handed for 20 years - I admit defeat to this one.)

 

If you have a smaller than lock boat it is very useful to keep control of the boat especially if it's quite a violent lock.

 

not so. It is sufficient to run a line back from the bow with the boat as far forward as possible.

Robbo Veteran II

Robbo

Posted
Posted (edited)

how do you descend Bath deep lock with a 50 foot narrow boat single handed?

 

(I ask this as one who has been boating, often single handed for 20 years - I admit defeat to this one.)

 

What's special about Bath deep lock?

 

Just Googled, it's similar to Lemonroyd lock, which I've done single handed (although I don't mind climbing ladders)..

Edited by Robbo

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