9 replies to this topic

[Picard]

Hi.
Being a newby, have only used a winding hole about 3 times, thought I was doing good, slowly put the pointy end into the vee, when firm, turn rudder untill level with bank, then reverse, when midway out into the cut and still going asturn, go in to forward, turn rudder and turn on the mid point of boat whilst still going backward then more forward, might have to do it twice, then away. But saw narrow boat going into winding hole rear end first, and he did it so smoothly and in one go, was wondering if this might be better than front end in?

[saltysplash]

going stern first can help if the wind would cause problems going in nose first, the wind can be used to turn the boat rather then any extra use of the engine. a lot will depend on if you know the winding hole, is there enough depth to go stern in first.

As in a lot of things its a case of suck it and see

[mrsmelly]

Hi.
Being a newby, have only used a winding hole about 3 times, thought I was doing good, slowly put the pointy end into the vee, when firm, turn rudder untill level with bank, then reverse, when midway out into the cut and still going asturn, go in to forward, turn rudder and turn on the mid point of boat whilst still going backward then more forward, might have to do it twice, then away. But saw narrow boat going into winding hole rear end first, and he did it so smoothly and in one go, was wondering if this might be better than front end in?

Not usualy. Always keep the prop in the deepest water during any manoevre as you did. There are one or two winding holes where the water is deep and if he was local and new that he could get away with it. Also if it was only a tiddly 50 footer or so its not hard but with 70 foot you need to be more carefull.

[bottle]

Bow first at all times unless you are absolutely sure the water is deep enough and there is not any rubbish in there.

Not always possible but try doing it without touching any of the boat on the bank. .

Edited by bottle, 03 March 2012 - 02:31 PM.

[Keeping Up]

Unless on a river, or the Llangollen Canal, where the flow is often strong enough to take the bow downstream for you while the stern just rests in the hole.

[Dekazer]

We tend to go in pointy end first, for the reasons above. However, there are places on the canal where we might choose to do it differently. We know how our boat behaves in revers (badly!) and we try to use its quirks to our advantage. It tends to veer to one side (can't remember which atm) so we try to turn it that way if possible. If we're turning in midstream (in a very wide bit) we'll go whichever way is most sensible.

Rule of thumb, keep your blunt end away from shallow bits and debris. As these are more likely to be in the hole, and less likely to be at the towpath, stick your pointy end in the hole and keep your blunt end pointing at the public.

[ditchcrawler]

Unless on a river, or the Llangollen Canal, where the flow is often strong enough to take the bow downstream for you while the stern just rests in the hole.

Or into a good strong head wind which will bring the bow round

[Chertsey]

Not always possible but try doing it without touching any of the boat on the bank. .

Bit like eating a doughnut without licking your lips - a nice pointless challenge but completely unnecessary.

[bottle]

I was going to to give a witty reply, if I could have thought of one but it seemed pointless.

[ditchcrawler]

Bit like eating a doughnut without licking your lips - a nice pointless challenge but completely unnecessary.

That's a greeny