MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I lean over to one side and look along the gunwale and line up to miss the lock side by about 2-3 inches. I know I'll miss the other side too doing this as the lock is (nearly) always 6" or a foot wider than the boat. Quite often I can get in without touching anything this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 7 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said: I lean over to one side and look along the gunwale and line up to miss the lock side by about 2-3 inches. I know I'll miss the other side too doing this as the lock is (nearly) always 6" or a foot wider than the boat. Quite often I can get in without touching anything this way. That's exactly how I do it as well. Doesn't help with most locks though as more often than not Mrs Lily Rose brings the boat in while I watch from the gate and try to resist the temptation to comment as she stands in the middle, enters at an angle and then bounces off one side into the other. I often succumb to the temptation to comment. Doesn't go down too well! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reg Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 The best way to enter a lock is to steer the tiller with your backside, close your eyes and roll a cigarette at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 1 minute ago, reg said: The best way to enter a lock is to steer the tiller with your backside, close your eyes and roll a cigarette at the same time. My tiller is a few inches too high for my backside and I don't smoke. I think Mrs Lily Rose might already be using the close eyes part of your recommended method. (Please don't tell her I said that!) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 29 minutes ago, Lily Rose said: I often succumb to the temptation to comment. Doesn't go down too well! I have found it best not even to look, as this can get interpreted as "judging how well I was a doing it". DAMHIKT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Just now, Mike the Boilerman said: I have found it best not even to look, as this can get interpreted as "judging how well I was a doing it". DAMHIKT. I do that sometimes. I should try to do it more often as it removes the temptation to comment - unless the bounce was noisy enough to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Just now, Lily Rose said: I do that sometimes. I should try to do it more often as it removes the temptation to comment - unless the bounce was noisy enough to hear. NO LISTENING!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 You can't win. Do it yourself and get accused of not trusting the other person. Let them do it and then get in trouble for watching or even just listening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Lily Rose said: You can't win. Do it yourself and get accused of not trusting the other person. Let them do it and then get in trouble for watching or even just listening. 'Tis a most curious thing, this male/female dynamic. I always feel there is tons going on that I am completely missing..... Edited May 2, 2019 by Mike the Boilerman Delete duplicate posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumshie Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 9 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said: 'Tis a most curious thing, this male/female dynamic. I always feel there is tons going on that I am completely missing..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I always lean out of the window of the car while I am driving to see where the white line is 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detling Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 14 hours ago, Dunworkin said: Just as a PS to the above... are bumps and scrapes in locks something of an inevitability...? Yes. when you have a bywash pushing the bow over you have to guess whether it will push you 1 foot or 2 foot sideways you often get it wrong. The wind will howl through a gap in the hedge and blow the bow off line etc. there are many unknowns and it is inevitable that you will occasionally touch the stonework but that is why you have rubbing strakes. It is a waste of time trying to use fenders, they are never in the right place and they can easily get caught on the gate ironwork pulling you to one side. That is not to mention the risk of sinking caused by fenders getting wedged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Bob Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 3 hours ago, Lily Rose said: That's exactly how I do it as well. Doesn't help with most locks though as more often than not Mrs Lily Rose brings the boat in while I watch from the gate and try to resist the temptation to comment as she stands in the middle, enters at an angle and then bounces off one side into the other. I often succumb to the temptation to comment. Doesn't go down too well! Wot he said!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunworkin Posted May 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Done that already... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 57 minutes ago, Detling said: The wind will howl through a gap in the hedge and blow the bow off line etc. Oi that's MY excuse for when I hit stuff. GIVE IT BACK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 On the subject of Locks there is a boat stuck in one at the moment on the K&A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: On the subject of Locks there is a boat stuck in one at the moment on the K&A Really? One helluva wide beam that must be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland elsdon Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I just aim in the general direction and let the boat do its own thing, its done far more locks than i have and ive been boating since 79. It generally gets in unless crt have failed to maintain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johny London Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I think its all about the angle of attack. And often this can be complicated by locks and landing stages at odd angles to each other. One of the times you'll least want to "get it wrong" is if you are going in after another boat, or doing one gate on a two gate lock. In that case, I have found the secret to be to keep the boat more to the centre until fairly late on, then move it toward the side a little. If you do happen to catch the closed gate or other boat, it will be very minimal and not upset your line of travel too much. What you don't want to do is come from too far over one side, straighten a tad too early (or late) and rub the stone work - because it will send the boat out towards the centre, at a poor angle and at the last minute. I can "always" get in with another boat without touching anything, as I do it in this way. If unsure about the one gate technique, practice on locking up, because then the gate will just open a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland elsdon Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 The problem more on many locks is the bits sticking out that catch on patches and plates and send you flying at the last minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said: Really? One helluva wide beam that must be! Stoppage alert issued now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 1 minute ago, ditchcrawler said: Stoppage alert issued now Bloody hell, that's 13ft 1inch wide!! What's the betting it isn't licenced, being too big for the canal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I look down one side and aim to just miss that side of the lock. The best place to practice entering locks is heading to Wales on the Llangollen where the bywashes move the front of the boat just as you were perfectly aligned to enter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 56 minutes ago, cuthound said: I look down one side and aim to just miss that side of the lock. The best place to practice entering locks is heading to Wales on the Llangollen where the bywashes move the front of the boat just as you were perfectly aligned to enter! Going up Tyrley Locks can be interesting with the bywashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 1 minute ago, Rob-M said: Going up Tyrley Locks can be interesting with the bywashes. Only when they're running, unlike those on the Llangollen which run all the time to feed the Hurleston reservoirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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