Of all the vlogs I've seen about going through locks solo- this is really the best I've seen. You address a lot of things by SHOWING it rather than TELLING. Well done!
You’re doing a grand job! There are plenty of us single handed women boaters, welcome! People will say to you “however do you manage on your own?” The answer I always give is “slowly!” I was like you, quite nervous and didn’t like locks to start with, but as long as they are not too hard to wind, (I’m well past my prime...) I really enjoy doing locks. Wishing you all the best. X
Thank you Val! I agree with the slowly it’s a big deal taking everything you own through a lock, sure with time it’ll get easier. Thanks for your comment 😊 x
Go you. Another great vlog. I love ppl who hold their hands up and say they're inexperienced but they're determined to succeed, you will , you are. Well done. xx
You did a great job on all those various maneuvers ,You're right about going slowly, gives you more time to think and see how your boat is reacting to the prevailing conditions of wind tide and current etc .I'm long retired now but have been involved with boats and Ships of all sizes all my life ranging from pleasure craft to giant VLCC's(Very large crude oil carriers) and Container ships as Captain. . Cheers from Canada ,take care stay safe and warm
Thank you Ralph! It been a steep learning curve but I’m getting there. Sounds like you had a very interesting career with boats. Thank your for your comment 😊
Well done Kayleigh, I would have been terrified if that were me! I'm so glad you've posted this video, doing locks single handed has been the number one thing on my list of concerns as a wannabe single female boater. But you've shown that it can be done 😁 hopefully I'll see you out there on the cut one day 😊. In the meantime stay safe and well x
Thank you Sarah! If I can do it you can too! I was nervous but most of the time there are lovely people around to help, so don't be discouraged! I hope so :) take care & good luck! Kayleigh
Glad that you found a good Mentor! Reading about how to do something is OK.... but actually having someone coach you through it makes a WORLD of Difference! And I'm glad he's teaching you about how to be SAFE doing it! If you slip and fall and get hurt - there may be nobody else around to help!
It is good to see how a solo boater uses the canal and if you only want to open one paddle that is fine as your safety comes first, I have subscribed and will watch your videos in order and good luck on your journey :)
So glad to watch this I've been watching narrowboat RU-vidrs for year's hoping to find a female solo narrowboater. I hope to have a boat soon and wanted to know if a woman can physically live that life! Well done you! So envious of your boat and life!!! Hope to see alot more you go girl!
Thank you Angela. That would be awesome, it’s a steep learning curve but you’ll love it! I’m hoping to get back to weekly vlogs at some point in the near future x
@@askott1707 you don't need an account to look at their pages, just search for the names above - with so many boaters of all ages on the site documenting their lives and travels you might find it helpful :)
Well done there are many people on narrow boats that will help at the locks . If you watch some of the you tube sites you will see how helpful they are.
Bravo on a wonderful job, well done and well done for a brilliant instructional video. A great day out could be enjoying going through and out and opening and closing locks.
well done great job,what i do before i climb the ladder in the lock is throw the centre line and windlass up top to keep both hands free to climb the slippy ladder,
Hi Kayleigh, well done. I learned something new, I never checked the fan belts doing engine checks. I will from now on. Looking forward to more vlogs. Thanks for sharing. Bryan, Quebec, Canada.
well done you !!! iv got all this to come and i understand how worried you were, you did great.im still stuck on the centre rope but i will watch your vlog over and over again until it sinks in... ( sorry about the pun )
Great job! There is a lot to learn. One reason I like watching these types of vlogs. I bought a VW Camper Bus to learn how to work on engines and go camping. You will do great! Keep at it! Cheers to Andrew for helping out. Always good to have people like him sharing knowledge.
Nice one Kayleigh. It really helps if you have some way to carry your windlass, ideally a holster. It leaves your hands free to actually grab the rungs securely when going up and down slimy ladders... :-)
Loose fan belt - and you’d had a service!! Yes we once had the same problem and found NO oil in the gear box!!! Check everything yourself and try and get on an RCR Diesel engine training course. You’ll learn loads and feel so much more confident! Otherwise well done Lass 👏👍🍰 Also if I’m off the boat I always have a stern rope ashore somewhere with me !!!
Just found your video I’m wishing you all the best as a solo cruiser,I will be following you as from now ,I worked with boars all my working life if you need any advice anytime please ask ,I’m sure you will be absolutely fine enjoy your new life style,Joh.
Go girl. That was brilliant!!!! Things I need to see practical stuff aside live on a narrowboat. Look forward to future blogs. Are you on the youtube vloggers site to promote your channel ? X
Well done, honey! First of all, you got the best bits out of your breakup- the bust and the dog. Secondly, yeah it’s scary but you can do it. Take your time, think it through. Try not to let yourself get fussed if others are waiting for you to clear a landing or lock. So much of what you are doing with the boat parallels my solo adventures (and misadventures!) with my first touring caravan. Everything seemed to be so heavy and complicated! But I wrote out lists (such as engine checks in your case, pre towing checklists in mine) and kept to a sequence until it has all become second nature. You are doing great!
Thank you Sarah for your lovely comment. Everything does feel a little overwhelming at the moment but we will get there. Lists are a great idea! Kayleigh x
Think you did a good job going both ways. Always be careful not to get the boat standing on the prop on the cill. In case the gates are too heavy to open pushing forward do them backwards instead with your butt on the beam.
When Andrew was telling what to check, you kept saying "it's just had a service so it should be allright " sadly the reality is not always as good as you would like to believe. The reason Andrew did not reply, was that he was too polite, for many years I was lucky enough to have company car's and the one thing I learnt was to always check everything after a car has been in for a service. Mechanics/fitters always take care when working on vehicles but like everyone, they are human and it's difficult for them if they get called away from the job they are working on to do something that's urgent and have to return to what they were doing , so always check your car, van, boat engine and gearbox, and anything else that has been in for a service, it will only take you a few minutes and it may just save you from a problem when you least expect it, or when you are miles away from anyone you can help you !
Yes its 10 times harder if you are of smaller stature, a persons weight helps to control the boat from the centre line, so wee persons do have to try harder and pull the boat (which is tough), the guys advice to take your time is golden, there is never a rush in narrowboating, its always rushing that causes slips and incidents. I never like those mini steps on the side, i prefer a method to step down at the back even if its a small ladder, if riding solo it doesnt get in the way, one other tip if you have a second person on the rear deck brief them to stand still out of the drivers view from the start, they inevitably like to move around and obscure the drivers view at key moments. As has been said it is commendable that you have taken the time and money to learn how to navigate, many dont and bluff their way along until they are up to speed, the right way is to do training and be prepared for your first voyage way less stress and boating is about leaving the world of stress behind, i did training as do all inteligent boaters 👍
Thank you, did you receive the update message? I am taking the rest of the year off to care for a relative of mine. I am also using this opportunity to come back stronger next year with lots of exciting content 😊
Well done for a first attempt at doing a lock on your own. As you do more you will find different ways of doing them. One thing with the T&M is many of the footbridges at the bottom end of the lock have a gap through them to pass a rope so you can pull the boat out rather than climb down the ladder. Check my vlogs for ideas
Hi Kayleigh, another question from the empty brain dep't, I know everyone has a bow and stern mooring line but why do you need a centre line fixed to the roof ? Finally, I hope everything is going well with the new boat
Hey Peter. You need the centre line to control the boat. If you just used the front or the back the boat would go sideways across the canal. Without the centre line you would be really stuck!
Good job Kayleigh. I go really slow when im going through locks. It takes me 15/20 minutes when theres no one to help waiting for me. Plus you keep the enjoyment of boating taking your time Specially when you have a few locks in the day to get through 😉 xxx
well done great job,what i do before i climb the ladder in the lock is throw the centre line and windlass up top to keep both hands free to climb the slippy ladder,