Managing a canal lock single-handed

This video shows how our Chief Instructor Kerstin goes up and down through a canal lock on the Grand Union canal without a crew. Single-handing through a lock can be done in various ways. What's shown here is a way to do it without using the lock ladders.
We are Willum Boat Training, an RYA training centre offering Inland Waterways Helmsman and Crew courses and other bespoke boat training in West London. Check out our website for our training dates: trainingcanalboat.co.uk/

Пікірлер: 36

  • @MC-mf6yi
    @MC-mf6yi2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this brilliant demonstration on handling a lock single handed and for showcasing a first class model for an effective training video.

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for your comment. Very happy if this helps you with your single-handing skills!

  • @TheLookingOne
    @TheLookingOne4 күн бұрын

    Nice details WBT. Thank you

  • @gawth
    @gawth2 жыл бұрын

    Best single handed guide and technique I’ve seen so far.

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you that is very good to hear! It is just one way of doing it, which works for me. I am glad if it helps others :)

  • @jimmyco123

    @jimmyco123

    11 ай бұрын

    Yep, have to agree with that. Thanks for sharing - great vid

  • @benhikescamps
    @benhikescamps11 ай бұрын

    I've only been on a narrowboat once but this was so clear and interesting to watch. Very well demonstrated - thank you.

  • @RoyceMunday56
    @RoyceMunday56Ай бұрын

    Really, really useful. Thank you

  • @nilocxoc3488
    @nilocxoc3488 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent, great demonstration, with textual details and tips and tricks. The best I have seen so far. Your presentation style and your information was excellent. I will be using your / your company's training service for myself, I am full of video derived knowledge which I would like to start deploying practically with your experience and expertise. There are many dangers that face boaters and in particular narrowboaters in and around locks, in my VERY humble opinion, a little more emphasis about the cill, what it is and why it so important to narrowboat helmsmanship would very much improve this already excellent video course, as would similar emphasis of using the centre line to support the boat on a bollard when going down in a lock, I am referring to making sure the correct winding method / direction. I do not want to cause offence in anyway. I make these points having been a trainer for 40 plus years, not this subject. My very best regards Colin.

  • @chrisbatch4184
    @chrisbatch4184 Жыл бұрын

    Simply the best tutorial for those people that operate locks single handed.Only thing i would add is that a life jacket is a must

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it. We do indeed wear life jackets on our Helmsman courses!

  • @alandean488
    @alandean4882 жыл бұрын

    very informative, Thank you!

  • @sbcode
    @sbcode2 жыл бұрын

    Very cool, its like you've tamed a wild horse with that rope.

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    2 жыл бұрын

    Haha hopefully not such a wild horse, if you do it right! :)

  • @colinturner4158
    @colinturner41585 ай бұрын

    I’m not a boater but I’m considering it in the near future I’ve never stepped on a narrow boat yet.Your video very informative thank you

  • @marj1585
    @marj15854 ай бұрын

    Really helpful, thank you.

  • @lordlucan7348
    @lordlucan7348 Жыл бұрын

    Superb video many thanks

  • @michaelneagle5756
    @michaelneagle57562 жыл бұрын

    Job well done. very well done. from a 50yr. charter operator.

  • @frankijones74
    @frankijones742 жыл бұрын

    Great video :)

  • @user-sj3jh7zi3w
    @user-sj3jh7zi3w5 ай бұрын

    Thank you... It's easy when you know how 🙂

  • @ooosodrugestvo9421
    @ooosodrugestvo9421 Жыл бұрын

    Очень интересно. Просто и доходчиво все показано и описано. Спасибо за обучающее видео.

  • @markjones1337
    @markjones13373 ай бұрын

    Wow, learnt a lot

  • @jul2128
    @jul2128 Жыл бұрын

    Best video I’ve seen on the Topic.

  • @michaelarnold4713
    @michaelarnold47138 ай бұрын

    Very informative Much appreciated you made it look so simple thank you.

  • @prutmonster
    @prutmonster Жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful boat

  • @videosrus8631
    @videosrus8631 Жыл бұрын

    Nice video. Thank you.

  • @alfredshearing6793
    @alfredshearing67932 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @mollieslack9815
    @mollieslack98153 ай бұрын

    Iv just checked out your website after seeing this video your courses are fully booked , will you be doing any more after the June dates ? loved the video seen many yet by far the best iv seen

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    3 ай бұрын

    Hello! Glad you liked the video. I'm afraid the next courses will only start from September. If you send a message through the website I can inform you when new dates are put on.

  • @mollieslack9815

    @mollieslack9815

    3 ай бұрын

    @@willumboattraining1372 will do thats fantastic , thank you so much for reply

  • @phillippowell1740
    @phillippowell17402 жыл бұрын

    I'm planning to do a trip for my wife's 50th. I'm researching how to do the locks. I'm a qualified skipper up to 80 ft, and operate single screw vessels all the time, but we don't have any locks in NZ, so locks are new to me. I see you closed the gates on your way out, so that tells me the gates are closed as we approach. Is there bollards prior to the gates to put a line around, then walk up and open the gates and return back to the boat, or is there a technique I could use that is easier than that? I have done enough research to see that it is bad practice to leave the boat in gear, pushing against the gates. PS Awesome video.

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hello to NZ! Yes on the English canals you should always close all the gates and paddles (sluices) behind you in order to conserve water. If you leave anything open, you run the risk of draining a part of the canal! Some canal sections are river fed, but others just get water pumped up from underground and need to be topped up if they run dry. This can be a real problem sometimes in the summer (yes even the English summer). To answer your question, every lock has lock landings above and below with 2-4 bollards to tie up to. The bollards are usually painted white to distinguish them from regular moorings. Hope this helps!

  • @stevengpeacock1
    @stevengpeacock1Ай бұрын

    On the Avon they strongly recommend a bow and stern line whilst in the lock, rather than just a centre line. How would you organise that single-handed?

  • @willumboattraining1372

    @willumboattraining1372

    Ай бұрын

    This is a bit more tricky of course. I don't know if they insist on bow and stern line precisely. On the Thames some lock keeper want two lines and I have used the centre line and the stern line for that purpose. If you have quite a long boat, the bow and stern line won't be long enough to hold both at once.

  • @stevengpeacock1

    @stevengpeacock1

    Ай бұрын

    @@willumboattraining1372 Thanks for the feedback. I have seen some short/GRP boats bring a bow line and stern line to the same central lockside cleat/bollard - against classic practice, I know, but seems to offer control over both lines from one spot. Most narrowboats I've seen 'cheat' and just use centreline. A centreline plus bow or stern depending on the direction of movement your'e most worried about sounds like a good hybrid.

  • @jul2128
    @jul2128 Жыл бұрын

    Best video I’ve seen on the Topic.