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Research into boating alone


JohnCox

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17 minutes ago, JohnCox said:

I lost my wife a few years back. We were looking at buying a canal boat, I need to know how difficult it is to do it alone!

Like anything, (stage 1) it'll be 'very difficult' to start with, then (stage 2) as you get a few days / weeks under your belt it will get to 'difficult', then a few weeks months later, (stage 3) it'll seem so easy you'll wonder what all the worry was about.

 

If you have any previous boating experience then forget stage 1 and go straight to stage 2, or even stage 3 (depending on experience).

 

If you have no experience then it is often advised to take a helmsman's course - one of the most difficult things for a beginner to remember is that the boat turns 'around its centre' so if you turn left, 50% of the boat turns left, but the other 50% of the boat turns / kicks over to the right. (Put a biro on your desk and hold the middle - turn it and you'll see what a boat does.

 

You can do it - good luck.

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I generally cruise solo - I find the most difficult thing is trying to be in two places at the same time. For example when locking I might be opening a paddle but need to go back to the boat to give the centre line a pull, then back to the paddles etc. Or when mooring on rough banks, jumping off to pull the boat in, then realising it's not gonna happen, and finding it a stretch to get back on!

It is harder on your own, but by no means impossible, and I enjoy myself the most when I'm doing a few locks where there is absolutely no one around. 

You'll find you develop/discover little tricks that work for you. The key is to always really think about what you are doing. You'll get a good work out anyway.

Good luck!

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1 hour ago, JohnCox said:

I lost my wife a few years back. We were looking at buying a canal boat, I need to know how difficult it is to do it alone!

Actually we've met quite a few widowers who had no previous experience before setting off solo, but it does make sense to try before you buy ie hire a boat first.  It may seem very expensive as a single person but it could save you from making a much more expensive mistake.  Getting the hang of locks is the key to it, but you will find that if you admit you are a novice you will get lots of help and advice.  

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This is a good guide:

 

Edited by Ray T
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2 hours ago, JohnCox said:

I lost my wife a few years back. We were looking at buying a canal boat, I need to know how difficult it is to do it alone!

If your fairly fit and agile and can climb a vertical lock ladder then you’ll have no issues. 

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4 hours ago, TheBiscuits said:

I dunno.  When I'm singlehanding and I yell down "Oi! Stick the kettle on!" nothing happens.

You have achieved an extra rung on the ladder to single handing when you can nip inside your narrowboat and put the kettle on yourself and get back to the tiller and find yourself still on course without having ricochetted off anything.  Needs good organisation and a good boat, no wind, and a straight & clear canal.  This doesn't apply to Hudson owners of course.  (its been a while so this is due.)

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I've only ever been single handed, started almost 5 years ago. To those of us who boat alone, it's very easy, because it's all we know. To people who are used to having crew, they would probably be very nervous about being single handed. Go for it and enjoy.

Kevin

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3 hours ago, system 4-50 said:

You have achieved an extra rung on the ladder to single handing when you can nip inside your narrowboat and put the kettle on yourself and get back to the tiller and find yourself still on course without having ricochetted off anything.  Needs good organisation and a good boat, no wind, and a straight & clear canal.  This doesn't apply to Hudson owners of course.  (its been a while so this is due.)

 

Helps if you put the boat into neutral first, stays on course much longer ?

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3 hours ago, system 4-50 said:

You have achieved an extra rung on the ladder to single handing when you can nip inside your narrowboat and put the kettle on yourself and get back to the tiller and find yourself still on course without having ricochetted off anything.  Needs good organisation and a good boat, no wind, and a straight & clear canal.  This doesn't apply to Hudson owners of course.  (its been a while so this is due.)

It does apply if you haven't sacked the butler .........

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11 minutes ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

I thought the dog would help, but she's b***** useless - just stands there and looks pretty, when she's not trying to get off and socialise. (Of course this applies equally to some crew.)

Aw but she is sweet Mac ? perfect size for boating too! 

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15 hours ago, Johny London said:

I generally cruise solo - I find the most difficult thing is trying to be in two places at the same time. For example when locking I might be opening a paddle but need to go back to the boat to give the centre line a pull, then back to the paddles etc. Or when mooring on rough banks, jumping off to pull the boat in, then realising it's not gonna happen, and finding it a stretch to get back on!

It is harder on your own, but by no means impossible, and I enjoy myself the most when I'm doing a few locks where there is absolutely no one around. 

You'll find you develop/discover little tricks that work for you. The key is to always really think about what you are doing. You'll get a good work out anyway.

Good luck!

This is good advice...

 

The other thing I would add is that an auto inflate lifejacket can be sensible,  especially in the winter and you've got six layers on,  or when there are no other boats / people around. 

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When looking at potential boats, do consider which layout may suit lone operation. This would definitely include a centre rope, not a universal fitting on all boats but essential single handed. Possibly a galley at the stern end if not a traditional lay out, makes it easier to grab a brew or food on the move.

If not cruising continuously you could look for a mooring in an area with less locks, there are many places on the system with a vast cruising range with minimal lock operation.

Edited by BWM
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5 minutes ago, BWM said:

When looking at potential boats, do consider which layout may suit lone operation. This would definitely include a centre rope, not a universal fitting on all boats but essential single handed. Possibly a galley at the stern end if not a traditional lay out, makes it easier to grab a brew or food on the move.

I’m single handed and hardly ever use a centre rope as I find there is no real control,  prefer using bow and stern.    I think the only time I use a centre rope is if mooring and need to use pegs (only temporary use centre until get the stern/bow lines on) and when pulling the boat back to the towpath at swing bridges.

Edited by Robbo
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2 minutes ago, Robbo said:

I’m single handed and hardly ever use a centre rope as I find there is no real control,  prefer using bow and stern.

Each to their own, but who knows what the op would be happiest using. It is an expensive retrofit when you take into account damage to paint, etc. I wouldn't be without one out of choice, especially in a deep lock or on a windy day.

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1 minute ago, BWM said:

Each to their own, but who knows what the op would be happiest using. It is an expensive retrofit when you take into account damage to paint, etc. I wouldn't be without one out of choice, especially in a deep lock or on a windy day.

In a deep lock I defo use stern and bow.  How can you control a boat going forward and back with just one line!

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8 minutes ago, Robbo said:

I’m single handed and hardly ever use a centre rope as I find there is no real control,  prefer using bow and stern.

 

How long is your boat? 

 

I used to to prefer bow and stern lines on my 40ft nb as the bow line reached the helm. But on longer boats I find a bow line long enough to reach the back is too long otherwise, so I prefer a centre line. 

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7 minutes ago, Robbo said:

In a deep lock I defo use stern and bow.  How can you control a boat going forward and back with just one line!

With ease, and it would vary depending on up or down, type of lock, etc. Taking a stern rope off the rear dolly would leave me holding a rope after it slid off in any case. 

Edited by BWM
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9 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

How long is your boat? 

 

I used to to prefer bow and stern lines on my 40ft nb as the bow line reached the helm. But on longer boats I find a bow line long enough to reach the back is too long otherwise, so I prefer a centre line. 

50ft and 25ft.   I think the lines I use on the 50ft are around 10m. 

7 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Leave it in gear to ride the gate. Then it doesn’t go backwards and forwards!

The locks here are 200ft long by 20ft wide, and even on the small locks I don’t really want to hit the cill.   In addition that is really bad advise for a new boater like the OP.

Edited by Robbo
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13 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Leave it in gear to ride the gate. Then it doesn’t go backwards and forwards!

That's ok in a narrow lock with boarded gates, going up - but otherwise watch out you don't get the bow fender caught under one of the horizontals of the gates!

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