"Michael Askin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>Being a little devils advocate here - if I am working through wide
>locks with my narrowboat, do I have to leave both gates open just in
>case a wide beam comes along in the opposite direction? :-)
That would be kind, but I have learned, sadly, not to expect it. And
I have a broad boat, so I would appreciate it for broad locks too.
However, smartass comments aside, there is actually an argument for
opening both gates when a narrow boat uses a wider lock. If one gate
is left closed, the boat may rub against the sealing part of its
mitre, which can wear it and reduce its sealing effectiveness (i.e.
cause it to leak).
Note that this is not a problem for a narrow boat stemming open a
narrow lock, or a broad boat a broad lock, as in those cases it is
impossible for the boat to rub on the sealing part of the mitre
because of the geometry.
>The top end of the GU - Hatton, and Knowl for example have paddles
>that are designed to be dropped. The paddle is attached to a collar
>around a screw (I think). The locking mechanism consists of a square
>wedge on a chain, which is normally knocked out allowing the paddle to
>drop under it's own weight. I can only guess it's the screw that
>provides the drag? The paddle opening are also far greater than normal
>allowing some really good locking speeds.
Interestingly, on (I think) all these "new design" locks you can see
that something has been broken off the casting near the windlass
spindle. As the current means of holding the paddle open (a square
horseshoe-shaped thing on a chain, which fits over the spindle)
actually looks rather make-do (although it does work), I have wondered
whether there was originally a different means.
Does anyone know?
Adrian
Adrian Stott
07956-299966
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