--- In [email protected], "Steve Haywood"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> On 02/10/06, Mike Stevens <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > --- In [email protected], Andrew J Instone-Cowie
> > <andrew@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Takes a pragmatic rather than a rule-based approach to such
things as
> > closing lock gates.
>
>
> What exactly does this mean?
What I mean is that when deciding whther or not to close lock gates
behind me I take into acount such factors as the accepted local
practice, the flow of traffic on that canal at that time, and the
nature of the waterway. On a river or a markedly river-fed canal, my
default behaviour is to leave them open, otherwise it is to close
them.
Incidentally if I know another boat is following me reltiuvely
closely and I don't see anythiong coming the other way, I will always
close the gates and open a paddle to start the lock seting for the
following boat. Unless they've got more crew than I have , in which
case they're probably up on the lockside before I get the chance.
And when you say 'such things as...' what are
> the other things you take a 'pragmatic' approach to? Mooring at lock
> approaches?
I've done that in extremis, when I can't get into the bank in any
other spot. But I try to get just one end of the boat on the dredged
mooring so as to leave as much space as possible for others. And
I'll usually come out of the cabin to take a rope or lend a hand if
another boat turns up.
> On water points?
Only in real extremity. I have done it occasionally for a late-night
mooring, but would always give a hand running a hose across for
another boat.
> Breaking the speed limit?
Which one? The statutory 4mph on canals (8kph on the Thames) or the
practical "no breaking wash" one? I probably do break the former
inadvertently from time to time, and deliberately at times (on bits
of the Paddington Arm, for example). But I try never to break the
second.
> Mooring on bends?
If the bend is at all tight, then that's a real no-no as it really
incoveniences other boats much more than the other things.
> Leaving the paddles open?
I always close paddles, and see that the pawl is engaged on the
rachet.
--
Mike Stevens
nb Felis Catus III - still at Thrupp
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
