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 The
Key To Cruising Through Locks
by
Dusty Miller
The
cold January weather is somewhat tempered by the several boat shows
held throughout Canada. You can stand at the helm of your dream
vessel, ignore the crowds and imagine open water and distant horizons.
Unfortunately, too many do little more than fantasize when summer
comes around.
Boaters may venture as far as the gas dock, go for
a pumpout or cruise down to the end of the lake and back. But the
fear of sudden winds and errant currents may keep them securely
moored to the dock for the rest of the season.
If you count yourself among these type of "cottage
boaters," then you're missing more than half the fun. For me, the
most interesting and enjoyable part of boating is travelling through
the waterway systems through North America. Sure, you need some
skills to negotiate the locks and channels, but the skill is not
hard to learn and you can't learn it until you turn the key and
cast off.
Handling the wind in channels or locks is the same
as handling the wind around the dock. In fact, it's usually easier,
since you're not "threading the needle" as you back into the slip.
At the lock, you're just putting the boat on the wall. So, next
time you go to the pumpout, don't just land once, back out and try
it again and again, until you get comfortable. And if the wind does
come up from a different direction, head out and do it some more.
One thing you will have to do in a channel is look
astern, especially if there's a crosswind. Look back every few minutes
at the last channel marker and make sure you're still in the channel.
You may aim your vessel at the next marker and if the crosswind
blows the bow off that heading, simply adjust your course. But sometimes
that's not enough. What happens far too often is the wind blows
the boat out of the channel and into trouble - even with the bow
pointing at the next marker. So keep looking back. In a strong crosswind,
you may have to turn the bow into the wind so it looks like you're
heading for the other side of the channel. In fact, your direction
of travel is not following the bow, you're actually crabbing down
the channel. (Top)
The other challenge to the locks is the current.
Often, it is quite strong around the mouth of locks - especially
early in the season or after a heavy rainstorm. The reason is perfectly
logical. Where there's a lock, you'll usually find an impasse of
some sort - a set of rapids, dam or waterfall.
You can see the current in the eddies and the moving
bubbles on the top of the water. Most times, the current doesn't
flow in one steady direction. It's turbulent, changes direction
and speed unpredictably because it is bending around boulders or
bouncing off the wall or pier. For this reason, I will admit it
can be more of a challenge than the wind.
By looking at the flow, you'll generally know which
direction it will push the boat. If the dam is on your starboard
side, the current will tend to push your vessel to port. So observation
will tell you, again in a general way, which direction you have
to steer to compensate. As you head through the current, you have
to make minor adjustments from one moment to the next. Watch the
bow and feel the way the current is pushing the boat. You have to
anticipate what it's going to do and compensate for any changes
in direction almost before they happen. Respond quickly, so the
adjustments are small. This is what keeps you in control.
The other area where you'll experience a current
is when you approach the opening of the lock. As the gates open,
they cause eddies and there may be a flow in or out of the lock
because of slight differences of water levels. This is where you'll
also have to be prepared to correct your vessel's position immediately.
(Top)
One of the mistakes boaters often make is they begin
to steer toward the wall before they are in the lock. Don't do this.
Take it slow, step by step. Go through the gates and into the lock
in a straight line. Once you're in the lock, stop the forward motion,
direct your bow toward the lock wall and then proceed as if you
were landing on a pier. Have a crew member take the bowline through
the cable and back to the boat.
When the bow is secured, move the outside gearshift
in reverse and direct the stern to the wall, backing up to the next
cable for the crewmember to secure the stern. The moment when you
land do not secure the line to the cleat or bollard at the top of
the lock. It will be ripped off your boat. Pull the end of the line
or a loop around the cable and hold it while the vessel lowers or
rises.
Here are a few other quick tips. Before you head
into the lock make sure your fenders are raised to protect the sheer
line and rub rail. Have your lines secured to the cleat, untangled
and ready to throw. Always follow the direction of the lockmaster.
He will tell you when to proceed and where to put your boat and
his lock crew will be ready to take a line and pull you into place
if you need help.
While you're dreaming about warm weather this winter,
think about taking a trip this summer. Get the most you can out
of your boat, then you'll have a real adventure to share when the
season ends.
(Top)
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