inlandnewbie
regular
Reged: 30/01/2006
Posts: 263
Loc: hertfordshire
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so what is the best way to practice for the locks then. Just go for it and try at a quiet time or is there a spot (nr penton hook marina) were we could could practice. Is there any where in the marina or near by that could act as a make shift lock (ie, somewhere we could pull up to parrallel and throw the ropes round any bollards).
I know the other half is very nervous about the locks, probably because it involves her being at the front of the boat, whereas I actually think it maybe easier then trying to moor into our berth, which involves alot of turning and reversing as apposed to just driving straight forward into a lock - or am i being very naive.
any tips or advice, as I am keen to venture further afield, even at this early stage.
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Gavi
regular
Reged: 01/06/2006
Posts: 1628
Loc: Sunny Staines
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Hiya
I still think spending a day with someone from Bisham Abbey or similar will make the experience much less daunting for SWMBO. They'll normally take you out on your own boat and the practice will simply be doing it under supervision. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll understand what you are doing, right and wrong. It will be fun rather than scary.
Beyond this, the only practice we did was rope throwing. Not that it shows!
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boatone
regular
Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6862
Loc: Surrey uk
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Go to a lock and try it.
The lockies are used to novices and if you tell them youre anewbie when you enter they will always help and advise without anything other than a smile and a friendly hello
You can also practice by mooring up at the lock waiting areas, particularly when its quiet, or at any of the alonsgside mooring places up and down the river.
If you'd like someone to ccome along for the ride and show you the ropes send me a PM.
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
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Brayman
regular
Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1402
Loc: Bucks
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Take up Boatone's offer, he will get your confidence up in no time. Find a long layby to practice on if you want, or there is that 24 hour mooring at Laleham, should be empty this time of year.
With a 23' (?) boat it might be as easy to do both ropes from the cockpit initially.
Whatever you decide, go easy on the throttle and take it nice and gently, no sudden movements.
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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DogsBody
regular
Reged: 19/02/2003
Posts: 394
Loc: Thames
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Seem to remember there is a nice long visitors mooring just outside Penton Hook marina, you could practise coming along side there if you want to keep off the main river.
Agree with the others though, pick a quiet time to go to a lock and give it a go, you'll find the lockie most helpful - just make sure you have plenty of fenders out.
Darren.
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www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
Help save your local lock keeper www.saveourservice.org
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inlandnewbie
regular
Reged: 30/01/2006
Posts: 263
Loc: hertfordshire
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might give the 24 hour mooring at Laleham a go at the weekend if its quiet. Can't actually officially go through a lock at the moment as I am still awaiting my river licence to come through from the EA (cheque and paperwork sent last week - bank shows that they haven't cashed the cheque yet!).
Have just rang bisham abbey, and they have given us a price of £285.00 for the two of us, and are sending us some stuff in the post. Sounds reasonable for a whole days training for two - just that with having just brought the boat and all the goodies, the bank account is a bit bare at the moment!
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steve_clayton
regular
Reged: 22/05/2003
Posts: 2527
Loc: king; I did RAF training there
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Quote:
any tips or advice
So you've entered the lock and managed to get the stern line onto the bollard and the boat is stopped. You "tighten" a bit too much on the stern and the bow starts to point further and further away from the lock wall.
Ensure the stern warp is secure and turn the wheel into the lock wall and engage forward drive (no serious power). The nose will gently come round enabling the person for'ard to pass warp to lockie or loop a bollard (and you might get a round of applause from onlookers!).
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Much work still remains to be done before I can announce my total failure to make any progress
www.seraph-sailing.com
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martin1001
regular
Reged: 08/11/2006
Posts: 458
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step 1 - learn how to coil a rope
step 2 - learn how to throw a rope.
step 3 - approach the lock slowly with minimum steering and aim for the place where you want to be, dont scrape all the way along the lock. Be aware of whats behind you , but dont let them rush you. You can practice 1,2 & 3 at Laleham, remember stop before you throw. remember also that Laleham has current, locks do not.
step 4 - STOP. Do not throw any ropes before you stop. do not stop violently. do nothing until you have stopped.
step 5 - do not jump off. Throw ropes. NO crew or visitors to jump - ever.
step 6 - DO NOT PULL ANY ROPES until BOTH are over a bollard. Heaving on bow will just pull the stern out
step 7 - when you are satisfied - engines off.
Lock courtesy is pretty much take your turn to enter, take your turn to leave (unless you end up significantly in front of the boat you were behind - he will normally invite you to leave first). Do what the lockies ask you to, and always move up the layby and up the lock if there is room. Except when the lock is empty or near empty then stay nearer the lower gates so that lockie can fill the lock faster for you.
You only have to watch a locking in progress to see who knows what they are doing and who's skill you would like to imitate
If you would like some weekday tuition I can assist I live nearby. send me a pm
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Doolittle
regular
Reged: 13/04/2007
Posts: 294
Loc: Chertsey, Surrey, UK
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If you mosey gently out of the marina, turn right (as if you are heading for the lock) and just beyond the 5 or 6, 38 footers moored on the hard, there are two floating pontoons. As the river flow is so gentle at the moment, why don't you practice approaching those? See that your fenders are adjusted to be 2" above the water level, or level with the pontoons.
As others have said earlier, I bet the marina staff would be more than happy to spend half an hour with you.
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Andrew_Fanner
regular
Reged: 13/03/2002
Posts: 5600
Loc: ked into poverty by children
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Sunbury has a "spare" lcok and I'm sure that the keeper, if asked nicely, wouldn't mind you using it for a bit of practice.
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Two beers please, my friend is paying.
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