----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Streeter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:53 AM Subject: Re: [canals-list] LOCKS SINGLE HANDED
(snip) > Iain Street commented >> But not long enough to go round the propellor :-) > > I keep hearing this mantra that "No rope should be long enough to reach > the prop" which IMHO is a load of old tosh. In 20 years boating (the > last seven of which have mostly been fairly intensive single handing), > I've never had (or even heard of) a boat's rope actually getting caught > on the prop. > > Even if the rope did get caught all you will end up with is some > combination of a broken or damaged rope, a stalled engine and a trip > down the weed hatch to clear the blade. (snip) I have seen it happen, in a strong cross wind above Keadby Lock. Chap (single handed) came up the lock,and the only mooring available was on the upwind side. Centre rope was thrown, but the chap on the bank couldn't hold the boat against the wind.When he ran out of rope, he let go. Rope round prop, bang and engine stopped. Boat drifted across basin, and had tooth rattling impact with boat moored other side. > How long is Gamebird's centre rope? Given that Gamebird is 26' long, I > guess it must be around 15'. Not much use in a deep lock. :-) > (snip) It's adjustable, usually about 20 ft (which doesn't reach the prop :-) ) -- Iain
