Bunny Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 Now I may be wrong here but I tend to drive defensively i.e slow down , blow horn ( sometimes) and assume there is a boat ' just around the corner , in the bridge ect' . So when I met a boat on Thursday above Banbury on a blind corner , I was prepared, He didn't see us or slow down at all, even when his wife, on the fordeck was shouting and waving at him and then trying to push us away , that didn't work as I had already put our bow over as far as I could and was hard in reverse . Being one of these 50something ladies with a strident dont mess with me voice I do tend to shut up in these situations ( mostly, but no guarantee ) as I just annoy some male boaters of a certain age that dont think ladies can drive . My husband did tell the driver of the other boat he was going far to fast around a blind bend . Reply ....... well its a blind bend isint it , couldn't go any slower. We checked the cratch covers, they are fairly new, before we moved off , there is a 4 inch tear along one side . Well , just another battle scar , it wasn't till later , when rolling the covers up fully we realised how hard he had wacked us . The gunnels by the front fuel tank have been pushed in about half an inch . Paint will cover the gash, so no real problem , but I must say generally I think courtesy is somewhat lacking now days. Would you hit a car with the owner sat in it , shrug you shoulders and walk away without a sorry , or at least see if any damage had been done . Or would you ? Bunny . P.s I got the name of the boat, I wont forget that bloke in a hurry . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boat&Bikes Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 Had a similar incident recently leaving Braunston. Chap flying through a tricky bridge, id slowed and tooted horn. Bit of a bump and when I mentioned that he could have been going a little slower, I got the all to common response of its a contact sport. The other boat is often seen on this forum... Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 (edited) .. Edited July 27, 2015 by MJG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigste Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Name and shame please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaker Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Name and shame please. Seconded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValandPete Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Bunny hi! Loads of sexism on canals as there is everywhere. I do most of the steering too. I just grin and bare it, I think responding encourages those who engage in casual offensiveness. After all, they who do this know that neither party is going to turn around, catch them up and challenge them. I now smile and carry on boating. I steer defensively too, expecting a boat to appear round the next bend. Others do not. However damage to your boat is more serious. I think you should decide if it needs pro fixing and if so inform your insurer as you can supply the boat name, time and place. I love narrowboatimg, really hope you continue to love narrowboating too. Val Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValandPete Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 PS I do not agree with "naming and shaming" either. You have enough info for an insurance claim if you need it. Whoever that boater is he knows it too. "Enough said" is the correct terminology I believe. Val 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceinSanity Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I do most of the steering too. I just grin and bare it, Val Any chance of a photo? Personally I grin and bear it, much less traumatic to those I meet. Seriously, the OP is quite right, slowing for blind bends is responsible boating, it is NOT a "contact sport". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam & Di Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) Any chance of a photo? Personally I grin and bear it, much less traumatic to those I meet. Seriously, the OP is quite right, slowing for blind bends is responsible boating, it is NOT a "contact sport". The phrase "contact sport" in respect of boating used to simply mean that there was no point in using fenders along the side of a narrow boat - they are provided with steel rubbing bands to take the wear in locks where you are in contact with the lock walls. It was not an excuse to play at bumper cars on a canal - boats are not designed for that sort of contact, and people should not expect to wave that phrase about as some sort of get out of jail free card and escape the consequences of their bad boatmanship. The OP's problem here though is she will never prove the other boat was responsible retrospectively. Edited July 27, 2015 by Tam & Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I wonder what would have happened if you were in a fibreglass boat! Not a nice thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) After a couple of near misses from such incidents on the Oxford we ended up sending a look out ahead which really helped. In fact on one the other chap thanked us as he saw our dog first then the lookout signalling back (thumbs up for all clear, wide open arms for approaching boat) he slowed right down to a crawl saving us both. As regards the dent - you may have to use filler before re-painting as in the light, you will see the bump all the time. Edited July 27, 2015 by mark99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scholar Gypsy Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I find this can be particularly tricky if you are going slowly around a blind left hand bend and see an oncoming boat. Do you keep to the right, which can be risky? Or do you judge that the oncoming boat has lost control a bit, and is going to get too close to the outside of the bend. In that case one might apply some power to steer hard left and pass stbd to stbd, the "wrong" side. (No point in sounding your 2 hoots of course...). On some parts of the Oxford - esp the summit - you can sometimes feel the bow wave that an oncoming boat is pushing in front. But I wouldn't rely on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patty-ann Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) I always "Toot" at blind bends etc but oncoming boats don't always hear as 1 guy said to me he had seen me but assumed I was going t'other way at norton Junction as he had not heard horn..he got in a bit of a mess but we managed to avoid collision. Don't think my horn loud enough but if had one louder would probably p... people off. Edited July 27, 2015 by patty-ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I had a close shave recently when approaching a v. sharp bend 90 deg with the bridge cutting right across the bend. I was travelling downstream, so my bridge, one long blast on my horn, lined up, heard no horn in reply so committed for the bridge/bend. As I entered the bridge to the right of the channel a NB shot through, cutting the corner I was left with about a foot between me and the other NB and the same between me and the bridge pier. They went on their way with just a cheery wave. Had they not cut the corner there would have been loads of room, had they sounded their horn I would have backed of even though travelling downstream, as it was a unnecessary squeaky bum moment for me that could have been avoided. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I had another boater on a straight bridge keep coming and not make any attempt to slow. When he hit my boat I was half way through the bridge hole and going hard astern so clearly was well into the bridge before he entered. Fortunately we hit stem fenders and not metal to metal. The chaps wife disseapered inside and he didn't even look at me, just kept going. Unfortunately I didn't get his boat name as I was a bit shocked at what had just happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0atman Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 And then after avoiding the 1st boat there is another one that must be getting towed as it is so close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murflynn Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 there is a lot of discussion about passing moored boats at tickover speed. surely the safe speed to approach a bend or bridge is the speed at which you can comfortably bring the boat to a halt assuming you 'meet yourself' coming in the other direction. This should take into account the alertness of the crew and the visibility from the steering position. in my little GRP cruiser I use an aerosol horn as soon as I see another boat approaching in a blind situation (including obscured vision because of overhanging trees). It is so loud that it always wakes up the helmsman of the other boat (and all the sheep in the neighbouring fields). I gave up on those crappy 12V horns intended for vintage cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 in my little GRP cruiser I use an aerosol horn as soon as I see another boat approaching in a blind situation So a blast on it means "Slow down, you aerosol"? Vigilance is the watchword when going along twisty wooded bits of canal. I. along with many other boaters I suspect, tend to be distracted by sights along the way - scenery, old buildings, birds, fluffy bunnies and the like. When going round blind bends it's essential not to gaze upon such things, but to look ahead, ready to take appropriate action as soon as a prow heaves in sight. Our horn, like me, works only when it feels like it, so I have to be ready to take evasive action if necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) I find this can be particularly tricky if you are going slowly around a blind left hand bend and see an oncoming boat. Do you keep to the right, which can be risky? Or do you judge that the oncoming boat has lost control a bit, and is going to get too close to the outside of the bend. In that case one might apply some power to steer hard left and pass stbd to stbd, the "wrong" side. (No point in sounding your 2 hoots of course...). On some parts of the Oxford - esp the summit - you can sometimes feel the bow wave that an oncoming boat is pushing in front. But I wouldn't rely on that. I try to keep away from the inside of a bend if I can. Approaching well to the inside means I can't see and I can't be seen. On top of that, catching a shallow part of the canal on the inside means an inevitable cutting across the canal in front of the other boat. If I can see another boat, they have seen me and I have time and clear water I can usually sort things out Richard Edited July 27, 2015 by RLWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) Is it only me that ends up in the shallows, slow down and usually takes ages to get going again once the other ignoramus has disappeared round the next bend at full speed? Edited July 27, 2015 by Nightwatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morat Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Is it always me that ends up in the shallows, slow down and usually takes ages to get going again once the other ignoramus has disappeared round the next bend at full speed? Not only you... But at least you don't get the "Bloody Hireboaters" abuse on top! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted July 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I did look up the name of the boat on the members section and contacted the forum member . Again apologies to said member , as they sold this boat 3 years ago. The hull damage, luckily is covered by the cratch curtains and the cratch curtain can be stitched . It was a lovely looking trad with a highish bow , glad I was so far over otherwise it would have done serious damage . As for the sexism , no I won't stand for it generally ( husband walks wisely away , shaking head sagely ) . I find that driving more efficiently and better than the flat cap brigade and NOT using the girly button makes more of a point . Bunny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollymoggy Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I once entered a bridge on a corner and couldn't see the other side, I went in slow incase another boat was approaching so they could use the horn back at me. Instead I was forced out of the bridge up onto rocks the other side, had a man shout at me for not looking where I'm going and left me stranded. That was on the Llangollen. At first I felt ashamed but only other option to have prevented it would have been to tie up the boat and walk through the bridge to check its clear.... not sure if that would be going to far though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scholar Gypsy Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 I try to keep away from the inside of a bend if I can. Approaching well to the inside means I can't see and I can't be seen. On top of that, catching a shallow part of the canal on the inside means an inevitable cutting across the canal in front of the other boat. If I can see another boat, they have seen me and I have time and clear water I can usually sort things out Richard I agree - my point was that in some circs plan A (which is to keep well to the outside going around a left hand bend) needs to be abandoned if the boat coming towards you is losing control and is going to either hit, or get too close to, the outside of the bend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 Why are you singling out left hand bends? As you are on the outside (if keeping to the right for some bizarre reason). you get a better view. It's right hand bends that are the issue Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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