TODAY I experienced something that I have never done before in 53 years of cruising the inland waterways,writes Graham Westgate.
We were out on our narrowboat for a few days and decided to go up the Stourbridge Canal, and then into Stourbridge itself. Having negotiated the lines of moored boats in the basin we winded, and started back up the basin, thinking we would moor just outside the basin for lunch.
'Slow down more'
Suddenly, a chap who was walking up the moorings from behind us started shouting that we should slow down more! Could we not hear the ropes tightening!?
I have to say I was quite taken aback as I was moving very slowly along at tickover. I admit I was so surprised that I was not a polite as I should have been, and suggested that if he could not tell I was travelling as slowly as possible, his brain was somewhat defective!
Truly shocked
Then the new experience! For the first time in 53 years of cruising, working on and enjoying the inland waterways, I was informed that I should be cruising OUT OF GEAR! I have adjusted the tickover of my engine down to 750rpm, as opposed to the 850rpm which is specified, in order to give a good, slow passing speed, and was truly shocked to be told to do this!
Does this not make steering rather difficult, especially when the boats are moored three abreast, leaving only just enough space to get through.
Am I out of date here? Should we all be going into neutral when passing moorings. I have always used tickover for passing moorings be they private, short term, or residential, the same goes for passing fishermen.
Some movements is inevitable
As for the ropes tightening surely when a 15 tonne narrowboat moves through the water, for every boat length it will displace 15 tonnes of water, thus some movement is inevitable, and when three abreast the ropes are longer, thus giving less control, but I don't see that to be a reason to go into neutral thus loosing steerage.
I ask again, am I out of date here?