That First Lock

[Magwitch]

Good evening folks,

 

I should soon, hopefully, be living aboard a 66ft narrowboat.

 

I've got a "no lock" continuous cruising route planned out, but can you tell me about your experiences with your first lock and what to do to make sure I don't end up as a cautionary tale - I'll need to negotiate a dozen locks to get back to my home canal.

 

Many thanks,

 

AM

[MrsM]

Watch the boat handling video on the CRT website - it covers the basics if I recall correctly. Mostly, stay clear of the cill, take it nice and slow and don't let anyone rush you. 

 

Edited March 20 by MrsM

[David Mack]

Every canal guide book has a page telling you how to operate locks.

It isn't rocket science. Hundreds of complete newbie hirers do their first ever lock every year, with minimal training - often just a video guide.

If it really worries you, moor up at the first lock you come to and watch other boats going through. Ask the crew any questions you have, offer to push gates or wind paddles for them and ease yourself into lock operation.

[ditchcrawler]

Where can you CC without locking, I think there is one place but my brain wont let me remember where unless its the top of Atherstone to Coventry Basin going via the full length of the Ashby ?

[blackrose]

On one hand it's no big deal and hundreds of complete newby hirers do it all the time, but on the other hand they're not doing it on their own boats so they don't worry about bashing the boat about and I'm sure you want to do it properly.

 

Working a lock involves moving hundreds of tonnes of water while floating on top, so it's actually more dangerous than a lot of people realise. Having said that it's fairly straightforward if you do it slowly and methodically, unless you're doing your first ever lock single-handed. That can be a bit more tricky.

[Arthur Marshall]

Moor up a very short stroll from your first lock, make a cup of tea and go sit on the lock beam. Tell the first boater who arrives you would like to help them through, that you've just got a boat and you want to learn how to work the lock. Don't worry if it's a hire boat, most hirers have worked more locks than a fair few owners. Work a couple of boats through and you'll know all there is to know.

And if you are single handing (and even if you aren't) don't let anyone rush you. Slow is safe.

[Magwitch]

Thank you all for your replies, it is very much appreciated.

[Tony1]

 

In all honesty it sounds as if in your mind, you've built up locks to be a big deal.

But when you start boating yourself, you'll realise that two or three locks are no problem at all (and I'm a card-carrying lazy bugger).

In my view the most dangerous time for a boat in a lock is when you are going down.

In fact the only thing you need to keep in your mind when going down through a lock, is to make sure your boat stern is clear of the cill marker line, which is at the back of the lock.

And that's it - just stay away from that cill line at the back of the lock when going down, and you'll have no problems.

Unless the aliens land (again) and abduct you, whilst mind controlling the elderly lock volunteers to drill holes in your boat. 

To be fair, the second part of that scenario hasn't happened to me.

Edited March 20 by Tony1

[MrsM]

9 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

 

Unless the aliens land (again) and abduct you, whilst mind controlling the elderly lock volunteers to drill holes in your boat. 

To be fair, the second part of that scenario hasn't happened to me.

Yet, Tony, yet ...

[MtB]

14 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

In my view the most dangerous time for a boat in a lock is when you are going down.

 

I disagree. 

 

In my experience the most dangerous situation can be going down OR up and a passer-by (or another boater) comes along and distracts one from watching one's precious boat, by engaging one in friendly conversation.

 

ALL my near misses have been caused by this effect. 

 

Edited March 20 by MtB
Finesse the point.

[booke23]

I'd agree with all the advice given. But as a first time single hander, be very careful to keep the boat forward of the cill when going down. It's easy for boats with multi crew as one stays aboard and controls the position of the boat with the engine but as a single hander you'll have to use the centre or bow line to achieve this. But you must not tie it as the rope needs playing out as the boat drops in the lock. After doing a few locks you'll be a pro. 

[Tony1]

34 minutes ago, MrsM said:

Yet, Tony, yet ...

 

Just to be clear Mrs M, I have been abducted several times, although only once by aliens. The problem you have (when you are as young and handsome as myself) is that every alien who passes the bloody planet tries the old abduction/probe routine.

Call me old fashioned, but I think- can you at least buy me a drink first?

 

34 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

I disagree. 

 

In my experience the most dangerous situation can be going down OR up and a passer-by (or another boater) comes along and distracts one from watching one's precious boat, by engaging one in friendly conversation.

 

ALL my near misses have been caused by this effect. 

 

 

Fair point Mike, and I hope the OP is paying attention.

 

DO NOT GET DISTRACTED AT LOCKS!!!

 

I was going down the first lock into to the basin at Ellesmere Port boat museum, and I was massively distracted by half a dozen people behind me on the grass, all dressed in 1920s period costumes (with straw boater hats), standing around a shallow-draft punting vessel of some sort, with an ornate fabric shade. 

It was literally like a scene from a PG Wodehouse novel.

Now I'm used to seeing the English canal cosplayers out and about when its sunny, with their neckerchiefs and waistcoats, and their rather variable temperaments.

But this was a different animal altogether. I opened the lower paddle to start the boat going down, and then I got talking to one of the period-clad boaters - and it turned out they were Dutch waterways enthusiasts who had come over to row their shallow skiff thing along the Shroppie and through Chester. 

For a few seconds I forgot all about my own boat, until one of the museum staff shouted at me to push my stern away from the cill. 

Left to my own devices, it is quite possible I would have had a major drama in that lock, but luckily for me the volunteer on duty was switched on, and was watching my boat. 

Every so often at locks, some things will appear that are genuinely unusual and very distracting, but the golden rule is - dont let any of those things distract you. 

 

Edited March 21 by Tony1

[robtheplod]

My wife always worries about locks as we are about to return to our boat after a break. She says she struggles with the theory/process but each and every time she's back next to a lock and can see what needs to occur its like she's a pro!

[magnetman]

Take it slowly, walk up and down checking both ends of the Boat and don't get into conversations with passers by. 

 

The Boat is the no.1 priority. As MtB said above nattering with a random person can divert attention. I know of at least two incidents where this caused the Boat to catch and sink. 

 

Also check your bow fender. It MUST have a weak link in the chains. If it does not then cut through half a link on each side or take it off. 

 

Fenders getting caught is bad news. Also if they are narrow locks do not use side fenders. 

 

It will be no problem but a 66ft Boat does want looking at while locking as its not a long way for it to drift back over the cill. I like having a centre line and a bow line out on the lock side. Not necessarily tied but available if needed. 

Edited March 21 by magnetman

[Mac of Cygnet]

My first lock was the top of Tardebigge, out on our first narrowboat hire from central Birmingham.  We hadn't a clue.  But by the time we got to the pub I was a professional lockie with a very sore back, and even the Courage Directors tasted good.

[robtheplod]

21 minutes ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

My first lock was the top of Tardebigge, out on our first narrowboat hire from central Birmingham.  We hadn't a clue.  But by the time we got to the pub I was a professional lockie with a very sore back, and even the Courage Directors tasted good.

thats what i call baptism of fire!   

 

we did similar, our first locks were Hatton!

 

 

[magnetman]

My first narrow canal lock was the Dukes cut but the next lock on the left which is a real Oxford canal narrow lock was interesting! 

 

I had a 30ft steel narrow and no idea that there was an undercurrent draw so as the lock filled yes the Boat did accelerate towards the top gate and smacked into it really hard. 

I had previously done river Wey locks and Thames but they are wide locks with different precautions. 

 

I spake with someone else who said they did the same and their tins of beans broke through the side of a cupboard due to the deceleration. 

 

Mad ! 

 

 

[JoeC]

@Magwitch You don't state if you are solo or other people aboard with you.

 

If you have people aboard and they help with the locks then beforehand make sure you have an arm system of commands to say things like there is another boat waiting to come up / go down, when to start to open the paddles and emergency signal to say close the paddles. Don't rely on shouting to each other as that will not work.

Most important thing is to take your time - if others have to wait for you then so be it. Don't just open the paddles/ground paddles fully to let the water in. Each lock and paddle operates differently so open one paddle gradually at a time until you know what is happening to the boat.

 

Hope this helps.

[blackrose]

9 hours ago, MtB said:

In my experience the most dangerous situation can be going down OR up 

 

Yes it's not just the cill. On one of my first locks going uphill with two mates as crew, I was at the helm noticed the stern was rising. I didn't know what was going on but I shouted to my mates at the lock gates and they looked down and were laughing because the bow fender had got caught under a beam in one of the gates. I shouted again for them to close the paddles which they did as they realised how serious the situation was.

[Magwitch]

Thank you JoeC, I am indeed solo and have now seen some videos of solo boaters tackling a lock themselves.

 

In the next couple of weeks, before the boat is ready, I'll visit the locks I need to pass through to get to home waters and observe.

 

I'll also need to tackle the Braunstone Tunnel so will take a trip there as well - not sure if I'll be able to hitch a ride through but just seeing boats coming in and out will be reassuring.

 

I am no doubt worrying about this too much but the replies I have received have been reassuring...someone once said " we spend so much time worrying about things that never happen" and I am sure this is just another example of this

 

 

[magnetman]

Bow fenders are dodgy. I don't like the rope type with chains at all because there is too much risk that whoever fitted it did not put weak links in. As I said above weak links in the fender chains are essential. People have ended up with a cabin full of canal water just because of not doing this. 

It not worth losing a Boat just because of a fender. 

[blackrose]

14 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Bow fenders are dodgy. I don't like the rope type with chains at all because there is too much risk that whoever fitted it did not put weak links in. As I said above weak links in the fender chains are essential. People have ended up with a cabin full of canal water just because of not doing this. 

It not worth losing a Boat just because of a fender. 

 

In my case, had it not been the bow fender it could have been the bow itself that got caught in the gate.

Edited March 21 by blackrose

[Ray T]

I would advise that your first experience with a lock is not with staircase locks. 😄

 

 

 

Edited March 21 by Ray T

[MtB]

6 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Bow fenders are dodgy. I don't like the rope type with chains at all because there is too much risk that whoever fitted it did not put weak links in. As I said above weak links in the fender chains are essential. People have ended up with a cabin full of canal water just because of not doing this. 

It not worth losing a Boat just because of a fender. 

 

I second the above. Both my near-sinkings were caused by fenders, and both were in wide locks.

 

The first was long ago and sharing another boat, he had side fenders down which I hadn't noticed. We both fitted into the lock easily. Then as a lock emptied the two boats hung up as this lock narrowed lower down and the pair of boats hung up badly in fresh air! It was a busy day at the lock and we should have noticed but were both chatting to a passer-by.

 

Second incident again I got distracted in convo with a passer-by and heard a massive BANG as the weak link in my bow fender chains gave way. It is so difficult to NOT be nice and chat with someone who approaches you with questions at a lock then get distracted. If someone approaches you at a lock and tries to open conversation, always respond first with something like "Excuse me if I seem distracted, I'm keeping an eye on my boat", then answer what they said. 

 

 

[booke23]

24 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Bow fenders are dodgy. I don't like the rope type with chains at all because there is too much risk that whoever fitted it did not put weak links in. As I said above weak links in the fender chains are essential. People have ended up with a cabin full of canal water just because of not doing this. 

It not worth losing a Boat just because of a fender. 

 

Excellent point. I hesitate to mention it as acatual fatalities are exceedingly rare but this very issue was the cause of the Steg Neck Lock disaster in the 1990s when 4 disabled people drowned when the bow fender got caught up and the boat sank when descending. 

Edited March 21 by booke23