beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Struggled to open a top gate earlier today so used a spanish windlass to open it. Yep, there'll be people very familiar with this method, an old and tested method I guess, but anyone who’s not tried it will find it useful. Just tie it from the lock beam to a bollard or post. It don’t take many turns with a bit of wood. Very simple and very effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stagedamager Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 No one expects... the Spanish Windlass.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Posted April 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 I’d not tried it before and wouldn’t have thought of doing it. Someone suggested it the other week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Where were you to need it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 15 minutes ago, stagedamager said: No one expects... the Spanish Windlass.... Actually, according to QI, everybody who was inquisited knew it was going to happen because the inquisitors used to give 30 days notice in writing... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Canal de castilla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 i have been very tempted at Buckby 8 since the new gates went in with top beam too low and Buckby bottom where more goes out the bottom gates than comes in the top, especially when someone is coming down behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Posted April 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 17 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: Where were you to need it Huddersfield narrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 I used this technique on the Leicester Line last year at one lock when water seemed to be going out the lock faster than it was coming in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 just below Kibworth??, nothings changed, had to use the boat to encourage the gate to open this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Met a bloke last year using an acroprop to open lock 5 on the Rufford Branch. "They've all been like this - lack of bloody maintenance." he said. "I have just caught up with you and not needed one" I said. Then I noticed he wasn't bothering to open the offside paddles. "Oh," he said, "There's no need to cross over and do them - I have a prop!" The balance beam was bending about a foot before the gates moved. The level was 5" off at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Vagabond Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 We found ouselves using a similar technique last year on the Huddersfield, but also on the Rochdale 9 into Manchester where the water was pouring over the locks, the worst example however was Oxclose Lock on the Ripon Canal where the water was coming under the top gate cill faster than the bottom gate paddles could empty it. I also use a 'Truckers dolly knot' which enables you to get good tension between the bollard and gate beam and then pull sideways on the tense rope to open the gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Posted April 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 4 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: Met a bloke last year using an acroprop to open lock 5 on the Rufford Branch. "They've all been like this - lack of bloody maintenance." he said. "I have just caught up with you and not needed one" I said. Then I noticed he wasn't bothering to open the offside paddles. "Oh," he said, "There's no need to cross over and do them - I have a prop!" The balance beam was bending about a foot before the gates moved. The level was 5" off at the time. I did the rufford last year and the locks were fine. To use an acroprop rather than walk around? The bloke was clearly bonkers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Posted April 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 6 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said: We found ouselves using a similar technique last year on the Huddersfield, but also on the Rochdale 9 into Manchester where the water was pouring over the locks, the worst example however was Oxclose Lock on the Ripon Canal where the water was coming under the top gate cill faster than the bottom gate paddles could empty it. I also use a 'Truckers dolly knot' which enables you to get good tension between the bollard and gate beam and then pull sideways on the tense rope to open the gate. Well there’s a another new one to try. I’ll give it a go. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted April 24, 2018 Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 18 minutes ago, Wanderer Vagabond said: We found ouselves using a similar technique last year on the Huddersfield, but also on the Rochdale 9 into Manchester where the water was pouring over the locks, the worst example however was Oxclose Lock on the Ripon Canal where the water was coming under the top gate cill faster than the bottom gate paddles could empty it. I also use a 'Truckers dolly knot' which enables you to get good tension between the bollard and gate beam and then pull sideways on the tense rope to open the gate. Standing on the line is easier, you just need a bit of weight behind you. If you are too skinny for this, I recommend a few pints in the nearest pub until it works 17 minutes ago, Goliath said: I did the rufford last year and the locks were fine. To use an acroprop rather than walk around? The bloke was clearly bonkers. That was the conclusion I came to as well. It was going down the flight, so he was stood next to the footbridge anyway! He was nowhere in sight when I started the flight singlehanding, and I caught him by lock 5. He didn't need to use the prop on 6 or 7 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Lola Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 I have also used a Spanish windlass, El Bow. Had to be said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 9 hours ago, TheBiscuits said: Met a bloke last year using an acroprop to open lock 5 on the Rufford Branch. "They've all been like this - lack of bloody maintenance." he said. "I have just caught up with you and not needed one" I said. Then I noticed he wasn't bothering to open the offside paddles. "Oh," he said, "There's no need to cross over and do them - I have a prop!" The balance beam was bending about a foot before the gates moved. The level was 5" off at the time. After you'd thrown them both in the canal, did either climb out? Beggars belief, doesn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 1 hour ago, NB Lola said: I have also used a Spanish windlass, El Bow. Had to be said. Virtual greeno for that! I had not hear dof a Spanish windlass before and after reading the opening post I'm afraid I'm none the wiser. You tie "it" to the bollard and you give a few turns with a piece of wood? Tie what, please? It sounds like something to do with the principle of levers but I can't envisage it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Smith Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 8 minutes ago, Athy said: Virtual greeno for that! I had not hear dof a Spanish windlass before and after reading the opening post I'm afraid I'm none the wiser. You tie "it" to the bollard and you give a few turns with a piece of wood? Tie what, please? It sounds like something to do with the principle of levers but I can't envisage it. Rope. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Athy said: Virtual greeno for that! I had not hear dof a Spanish windlass before and after reading the opening post I'm afraid I'm none the wiser. You tie "it" to the bollard and you give a few turns with a piece of wood? Tie what, please? It sounds like something to do with the principle of levers but I can't envisage it. Make a loop. Put ends over the two fixed points.Insert lever in between, and twist.Careful not to let go of the lever, as it will rapidly unwind and is potentially dangerous to nearby persons. Edited April 25, 2018 by rusty69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 1 minute ago, Neil Smith said: Rope. O.K., so you tie a rope from a balance beam to a bollard. Then what do you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, rusty69 said: Make a loop. Put ends over the two fixed points.Insert lever in between, and twist.Careful not to let go of the lever, as it will rapidly unwind and is potentially dangerous to nearby persons. Thank you. I don't quite see how it would work but I'm getting the idea. Is or was this technique used in Spain? I've heard of a "Spanish dinner", and had one sometimes in my younger days, but the Spanish windlass is a new one on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Also good for pulling together the sides of saggy old narrow boats, not quite so good though if you let go of the bit of wood and it unwinds and clouts you on the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, Athy said: Thank you. I don't quite see how it would work but I'm getting the idea. As you twist the rope loop, it gets shorter pulling together whatever the ends are secured to. If one is immovable (the bollard) the other end (the gate) does all the moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 25, 2018 Report Share Posted April 25, 2018 Just now, Sea Dog said: As you twist the rope loop, it gets shorter pulling together whatever the ends are secured to. If one is immovable (the bollard) the other end (the gate) does all the moving. Yes, that makes sense - so you put a length of wood between the two, make a loop around that and start twisting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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