....As an ex-volunteer for British Waterways there is a few things wrong in this video. For starters, gates, rather than doors. Anyway onto my point, as it would clearly state you're new to British Waterways, and by the sounds of it you're American, so i'll go light. One thing I'd like to credit you for, is actually lowering the paddles by turning the windlass (the tool you use to operate paddles on the locks) rather than letting them drop. I have seen many hire boaters just lift the catch, and let the paddle drop in my past, and in all honesty, it infuriates me, so thank you on that regard. However, onto the slightly more....nit-picky side. When you're filling a broad lock, you always check for any other boater coming in either direction, however I cannot confirm whether you did this or not, and I'm not going to pin you against a wall and shine a lamp into your eyes and force you to tell me if you did or not - as that is just wrong. Anyway, when the boat is in the lock, it is always best to open the slowly. This reduces the violent action of the boat in the lock and will make it easier for the skipper to control the boat in the lock as the boat ascends, then once the boat is under control, to open the paddles a bit more. This just just my advice in all honesty. Cheers...Mark
Thanks for watching! Yes, we've had a few comments about the fact that we opened the paddles too fast. We enjoyed this holiday so much that we hope to do it again soon. When we do, we'll take into account some of the comments so that we can be better on the canals. As you say... Cheers!
The cill only matters when locking down. Stay clear of the marks or you may hang up on the cill and sink. When locking up, stay well back from the sluices, and open the paddles slowly, to avoid flooding the bow.
Never use the boat hook to push or fend off. If it slips you may fall in. Use the mid line to steady the boat in a lock. Hooks are for picking up ropes, not pushing.
I’ve just finished repainting Dundas on Monday 😊 she’s still going strong, just had a new engine fitted too. Hope to see you back again. Bradford hire base 😊
Thanks for watching! Based on your comment (and others) we indeed did it wrong. We Yanks don't have to operate our own locks (we did a narrow boat in New York and did a video on it). We hope to do it again and next time will operate the gates much slower.
