inlandnewbie
regular
Reged: 30/01/2006
Posts: 220
Loc: hertfordshire
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its okay - I have just been watching this instructional video on you tube on how to enter a lock!
get there in the end
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RealTarga
regular
Reged: 17/01/2007
Posts: 223
Loc: London
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Don't know about anyone else - but I find the most useful thing is a centre rope. I have a cleat amidships and this is really useful to avoid the back in/front out situation. Simply stop and get the centre rope on something, and then you've got loadsa time to sort things out - often while other boats are moving into/out of the lock. This maybe because I spend a lot of time single handing.
Other than that, my watchword is slow. Like my instructor said - your favourite gear is ....... neutral.
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No_Regrets
regular
Reged: 09/07/2007
Posts: 1280
Loc: Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK.
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You will have noted all the kindly souls who are offering their valuable help are doing so on the understanding it's done in your boat.... 
Seriously though, keep practising, and remember untethering the beastie and pulling away can require a bit of skill too.
I prefer to cast off at the stern first, and then when back at the helm, I ask SWMBO on the bows to cast off, and push the bows away at the same time.
This leaves the boat pointing towards open water in the middle of the lock, so the stern doesn't drag along the side of the lock all the way out....
In no time you'll be gliding in and out gracefully, which will win you respect for your boat handling. Prepare for the odd cock up, don't be too hard on SWMBO, whose fault it will be, and never shout 'You stupid old cow' when she misses the bollard for the third time, while the bows are now out of range of the original target.
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Birchwood Owners Association (BOA) forum now open here -> http://birchwoodboats.aceboard.com/
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jaws
regular
Reged: 27/04/2003
Posts: 159
Loc: Watford
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Agree with Steve. With a boat like yours I would get the back rope on 1st and take a turn around the boat cleat. Don't lock it off just do 1 figure of 8. You can then bring the bow in with the engine and get the bow rope on in your own time.
I would also recommend joining a club where you will meet loads of experienced individuals who will be able to help you take the boat out. I'm biased but Bray is obviously the best!
Just think of it like this forum, but in the real world!!
Good luck and it's nerve wracking going out for the first time, but it's worth it.
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http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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boatone
regular
Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6770
Loc: Surrey uk
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Quote:
You will have noted all the kindly souls who are offering their valuable help are doing so on the understanding it's done in your boat....
Well, I dont mind teaching him in your boat if you prefer !!!
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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boatone
regular
Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6770
Loc: Surrey uk
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Stop winding yourself up like this......just get out there and DO IT !!!!!
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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steve_clayton
regular
Reged: 22/05/2003
Posts: 2482
Loc: king; I did RAF training there
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Quote:
while the bows are now out of range of the original target.
See my earlier post on how this is corrected.
On your Birchwood its a doddle.
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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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teddington_lock
regular
Reged: 23/10/2007
Posts: 256
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Quote:
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.
This is a great bit of information to remember !!!
The amount of times that one single boat comes into the lock and gently cruises right up to the white bollards by the head gates and then puts their ropes out is unreal ....
It's obviously different if you have a queue of boats behind you , then it is the right thing to do , but if you are on your own , stick at the back , we can bang the sluices right open and you can have a nice quick lock.
So frustrating when you have to just trickle the water in so as not to pull Wifey off the front deck ( who invariably won't have taken a turn on the cleat to hold the boat ) and each lock takes 15 minutes !!
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No_Regrets
regular
Reged: 09/07/2007
Posts: 1280
Loc: Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK.
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Quote:
Quote:
while the bows are now out of range of the original target.
See my earlier post on how this is corrected.
On your Birchwood its a doddle.
Now I did note that, and meant to thank you.
So thanks  Nice one...
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Birchwood Owners Association (BOA) forum now open here -> http://birchwoodboats.aceboard.com/
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Coastgal
regular
Reged: 14/06/2007
Posts: 63
Loc: Putney
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Quote:
Quote:
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.
This is a great bit of information to remember !!!
So frustrating when you have to just trickle the water in so as not to pull Wifey off the front deck ( who invariably won't have taken a turn on the cleat to hold the boat ) and each lock takes 15 minutes !!
Yes - fab tip! I never realised lockies can control the sluices differently than us plebs (when unmanned). And never seen it mentioned in any River guide. I'll ensure 'im indoors moors up at the lower gates so we can whizz through before he can say "get it on the bl***dy bollard" for the 10th time 
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