howardang

I won't give you any argument. I don't understand the school of thought that says it's wimpish to have bow/stern thrusters. The argument seems to go that it's ok to have your wife push the bow round with a lump of wood but somehow less macho to use a mechanical device to acheive the same result. I can't see any difference but good luck to you and enjoy your two toys! Regards Howard Anguish

Paul, It has the look of those signs that are produced by the mile and cut off by the yard for the themed pub trade. Regards Howard Anguish

Paul, I didn't realise you Southerners used such language Incidentally re your comments earlier about stemming the current at Selby, this is a common practice and gives much better control, allowing you to "ferry glide" from one side of the river to the other. Try it the next time you are in the Far North. Regards Howard Anguish

Actually it's 1 SHORT blast or two SHORT blasts respectively. Regards Howard Anguish

Regarding Kort nozzles - yes they would have a number of advantages, especially if they were steerable Kort nozzles. I think the biggest disadvantage, however, would be the potential for every twig and branch to get caught between the nozzle and the propellor, not to mention other assorted debris found in canals. This may mean a much more frequent visit to the weed hatch. You would also loose the effect of transverse thrust or to give it it's yachtie name - paddle wheel effect. Regards Howard Anguish

Have a great cruise. However, if we don't know who you are/which boat etc, why did you say "if I don't see you out and about? Does not compute!!! Regards Howard Anguish

Sorry -I clicked the wrong button! I meant to say that in fact both Foxton and Watford are not actually staircases. Although they don't look it, they are actually individual locks but the pounds between each lock extend sideways rather than in line with the canal, giving the appearance of a staircase. The mantra to remember on these locks is "Red before white and you're allright- white before red and you are dead" This refers to the colour of the ground paddles on each lock. Regards Howard Anguish

Sam, You are repeating a myth that is often seen on canal forums about pivot points. A boat does not pivot around the centre point - it pivots around a point between 1/3rd and 1/2 its length from the bow when going ahead but this pivot point moves to about 1/3rd to 1/2 its length from the stern when going astern. The distance from bow or stern respectively depends to some extent on the speed through the water. It is perfectly possible to make a narrow boat (or any other boat for that matter) steer when going astern but it is like a lot of things to do with boating - it takes practice and is not as easy as when going ahead. When the inevitable happens and you get off line, the easiest way to correct it is to give a kick ahead with the engine using the appropriate rudder input to swing the bow round before resuming the astern movement. Regards Howard Anguish