Your advice is spot on. Boating is slow and relaxing, but things can go dreadfully wrong in an instant. Life preservers for all on board and land helpers, constant diligence, and situational awareness are crucial.. I've cocked up many a time, including snagging in a lock, so no judgement from me. Glad it was a mishap rather than a catastrophe 👍 Thanks for the video.
@@TimEvans-x6w Hi Tim, thanks for your comment, too true, need to be aware at all times. The incident happened suddenly, I was stood by it all the time, turned my head and it was tilting over.
Wow Alan that was really shocking. It is unsettling to think how quickly something so unexpected and serious can happen. I could see how shaken you were as you moored up outside bottom lock, and it is very understandable. Thankfully all was well, and I do think you have gotten to the bottom of what happened - your explanation at the end certainly seems the most plausible. It was a freak incident for sure, but real life lesson for everyone with a boat - you need to be constantly vigilant. Thank you for sharing this experience and hopefully you and Sally were able to put it behind you and enjoy the rest of your cruise to the fullest. I'm looking forward to seeing the next episodes. Cheers 👍
It happened so quickly and unexpectedly, I was stood by the boat, turned my head and the boat was tilting. Yes, very important to watch the boat always. All the best.
It seemed to be the only explanation to my mind. I hadn’t realised until now, that part is called the chine, not heard of it or seen it mentioned previously.
Oh my goodness Alan we’re so pleased you, sally, Reggie and your home are safe. What a scary time bless you. We will certainly take note and be vigilant ❤❤❤❤
Thank you both so much, it was a great shock at the time but once we understood how it might have happened we felt a lot better. Best wishes Alan and Sally ❤️❤️
I can only say how pleased I were in knowing the events had come to a happy close. I would have hated the fact you lost your home and toppled over leaving you in more turmoil then what was never expected. No one could have imagined the trouble you encountered on this occasion. A very unfortunate accident/incident that could have happened anytime. To anyone, anywhere. I don't think for one second there was anything you did was wrong. Again. Just a chance in a million. 🖖As always Sally & Alan... Stay safe and keep smiling.
Thank you for your concern. It was an unfortunate unexpected incident, which happened in a flash and was over nearly just as quickly. Boaters need to keep vigilant at all times, when in a lock. It was scary but we felt better once we could explain to ourselves how it might have happened. All the best to you Alan and Sally, take care🤠
Thank you for posting this Alan, a kick up the posterior for all of us. As you say, 100% attention at all times when locking. Glad you are both ok as well as your boat. 😃
Thank you Peter for commenting, I have just published a further video thanking viewers for their comments and responding to queries about the use of fenders; and why lady boaters are often seen doing the lock work. Best wishes🤠
Wow Alan. I can completely understand how scary that was for you, as you said, for you it is not just a boat. Your analysis of what the cause was seems to be the only plausible explanation. Great to see that it all ended well and you are all ok.
Alan, that was upsetting seeing you so shaken up! I can understand that it must have been a heartstopping for you. As you said, it isn't just your boat, it's also your home! Nightmare. But I'm so glad that no damage was done and that you are all safe. xx
Thank you Jenny, it was terrifying to see the boat leaning over but we soon recovered the situation. Once we’d had the chance to discuss what we thought might have happened, we felt much better. Thanks for your concern, next cruising episode will be published this Thursday xx
Glad to see no-one was hurt Alan. It looked to me as though the ledge to which you refer at the stern, may have caught on the lock steps. A very unusual thing to happen. I hope you've recovered fully now. Best Gareth
Hi Gareth, thanks for your concern. It may have been the lock steps but when I looked along the lock wall, after it had been emptied, I didn't think it was. There was nothing obvious, may just have been friction from the sacrificial edge being up against the wall. The other thing is that the wall pointing is in poor condition, it could have caught in that. Cheers Alan
It certainly was but once Sally and I had discussed it, and had a better understanding of how it occurred, we felt a lot better. All the best, take care.
😮 whow! what a shock for you and Sally. I’m really glad that there were others around to help you, but even happier that you had Sally with you!! You would have been able to, as you said, talk it through together, but more importantly you could support and comfort each other 🤗. It would have been much more stressful if you were on a solo trip. I’m so glad things worked out ok. Love to you, Sally & Reggie x
I feel your pain Alan, i had the exact scenario at Casiobury top lock, at first i thought a shopping trolley but found nothing, like you there was no explanation, i called crt but they weren too bothered. Scared the heck out me too as it is my home too
Hi Roger, it’s difficult to describe how one feels when it happens, isn’t it, such a frightening incident. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had the same experience.
Just watched this with hubby. You could see in your face just how much of a scare the boat tilting gave you. It’s good that you gave yourself plenty of time for your heart rate to settle. Quite a hard thing to watch seeing you in a bit of distress.
Thanks for your concern Julie, it was an horrific incident, which occurred in a split second. I was stood by the boat all the time, it wasn’t left unattended. Once Sally and I had discussed how it might have happened, we felt a lot better. As there were no boats wanting to enter the lock, we stayed there some while. Thanks for your comment, all the best to you both.
Glad all is well.. 🙏 luckily most boaters learn to be very aware of what’s happening with the boat in the lock. Communication is key too! Knowing what you would do in various scenarios.. good to have a plan in place and alert words in emergencies.⚓️
Well that was a shock for you; glad you got out of the lock in one piece and took time to relax. It's so reassuring to see other people jump aboard to help you. Cheers, Simon
Oh crikey Alan, that must have been quite scary! So pleased it turned out ok in the end though, you looked visibly shaken up! Like you say, a one in a million chance of that happening, but a reminder that anything can happen, especially in a lock, so to always watch your boat! Glad you’re both ok, and Reggie of course! xx
Hi Julie and Martin, thanks for your concern, it was really frightening at the time, stayed in the lock for about an hour getting thoughts together, as no boats wanted to enter. Please just take the utmost care in your travels. I was stood by the boat when it suddenly happened xx
We had a very similar incident but it was in a narrow lock. Because it was a narrow lock, the boat could only tilt so far and it got jammed on quite an angle. Our boat had the wood rims along the side of the boat down on the hull and you could see the top rim got caught on a protruding brick as we started to empty the lock. The brick had come loose near the top of the lock and turned at such an angle as to catch the rim. We quickly filled the locked, rocked it off the brick, emptied the lock and then removed the offending brick and let CRT knock. We know that terrifying feeling of your boat possibly sinking and how quickly things can go wrong. You are right, you always need to be very alert no matter how calm things appear.
I’m sorry to hear of your terrifying lock experience, it’s the initial shock and horror that hits so hard, I hope you got over it ok. I have just published a new video, thanking viewers for their comments and I talk about the use of fenders in single locks and the problems they can cause with boats getting wedged in. All the best.
Thanks Alan and Sally, you're right as it looked like it should've been a lovely summer cruise but for a fluke things got scary. Well done to all there for saving the day and your home, who would've thought it though? Great advice to other boaters and lock users from your good self Alan. All's well that ends well, I hope that you, Sally and Reggie are doing well. Take care and all the very best. Stevie
That was frightening! Glad it turned out ok. The same thing happened to a UA-camr on the South Oxford Canal in the Shipton Wier Lock. His boat got caught on a shelf going down in the lock. There can never be enough warnings about the dangers of locks.
WOW ! What a thing to happen and SO suddenly as well ! ALL the things that could go wrong decided at that moment, to come together, and happen ! One has to be SO careful ! Glad that you caught it in Time ! Of course it will NEVER happen again, ALL the Stars will never align like that for one million years, BUT you will still look at the boat, in the lock, with suspicious eyes ! Has your heart slowed do to acceptable levels yet ? Always an adventure ! Take care Alan and Sally ! Love to you both ! Stu xx
Hi Stu, thanks for your comment. I hope you’re right in that it won’t happen again, those are my thoughts, as well as yours! After we’d cruised on and talked about it, we had an idea of how it happened, so felt more at ease. You too take care, all the best💙
thank you so much for sharing that, how very scary for you all!! oh my goodness, just goes to show how quickly something can happen. glad you are all ok. best wishes.
Evening Alan and Sally, oh my word, what a horrible thing to have happened. So pleased that you and the boat are ok. I wondered if, when the boat rocked as Sally entered, the rubbing strake got caught on the edge of the lock. Having owned a boat, I think my horror and anguish at this would have been equal to yours, dreadful. Hopefully it didn't spoil your enjoyment of your cruise. Cheers to you both...🍷🍷
Evening Steve, the tilt of the boat would have cleared the rubbing strake from the side of the lock, that’s why I feel sure it was the rubbing edge on the base plate. Once we understood, what we felt had occurred, it settled our minds. There were no more issues with the rest of our cruise, thankfully. All the best Alan and Sally 🥂
Hi Paul, thank you and your wife for your concern, it was scary but having discussed it and got an understanding of how it might have happened, we both felt much better💙.
How fortunate that there was a volunteer lock keeper and also passers by to help you quickly right the boat... phew... what a fright for you. Glad it all turned out OK.
It all happened so quickly, there were others about at the time, it couldn’t have occurred gradually, it seemed to happen in a split second. We were ok after discussing it.
Alan you and Sally could of lost your home but you got it taken care off well done i understand why you was so shaken up so close to a disaster hope the rest of your cruises is calm and peaceful See you next Vlog stay safe both of you. Take good care of the pooch keep him safe too. Ed 40 S of Vegas
Hi Ed, it was a frightening incident but once we understood how it might have happened, we both felt a lot better. Reggie is fine thanks, he’s well looked after. You too take care, all the best.
Thank you John, it was scary to see the boat tilting over, but once Sally and I discussed it and had an understanding of why it might have happened, we felt much better.
I saw the boat starting to tilt from the shop window so ran out and luckily the lock keeper saw the same thing a whipped the paddle up to refill the lock saving a disaster, thankfully all has been ok since this happened 👍🏻
Hi Clare, I remember you rushing out to assist, Sally and I thank you for that. I had already told the volunteer to raise the paddle. I was stood by the boat the whole time but when Sally stepped aboard, the boat rocked and got caught lock side. We hope all is going well for you in the shop and wish you every success for the future🤠
Same thing happened to us in dowley gap lock on the Leeds Liverpool but we was in there with another boat. I was on the stern about half way down the lock and something got caught and the boat almost went down. I was petrified. It truly is the worst experience of my life to date. We also live aboard with two dogs that was also on the boat with no way to get them out. I jumped up out the lock run to close the nearest paddle when someone shouted it's gone. My heart sunk until I turned around and the boat had freed it's. By it's gone I thought they meant it had sunk, thankfully it hadn't. Glad everything worked out alright for you guys.
I’m really sorry to hear of your experience, far worse than what happened to us but the initial scare element very similar I would think. I’m glad you were fine in the end. It’s the speed of how these incidents occur that is frightening and knowing how to instinctively react to correct the danger. All the best, hope you continue to enjoy Narrowboating.
I have to say it would irritate me no end if my husband told me how to lower the windlass and shut the gates after the boat! It just shows though how vigilant you have to be all the time on the boat. Glad nothing serious happened.
Feel your pain Alan , earlier this year we were roped to a Bollard in one of the pounds on the Marple flight waiting for our turn to enter the lock , my 1st mistake was to go inside the boat to check on our pooch , I then realised the boat was tilting right over to the point water was coming into the bow vents , I'll never forget that feeling, the pound level had dropped and i was over a ledge , luckily my mate remained calm and ran upto to the lock above and let water in and eventually the boat moved off the shelf , a few signs warning about the shelf might be in order ,I still have flash backs , glad things turned out ok for you guys
I’m so sorry to hear of this frightening incident and glad you were able to get it sorted quickly. It’s that initial shock that creates the terror feeling, so many dreaded thoughts all at once. I’m not familiar with the Marple Flight, lock pounds are sometimes visibly low but if you’re not expecting it, as you weren’t, then that’s when disaster can strike. Thanks for commenting and for your empathy. All the best.
I am not to sure about the staying calm bit Mark I was shaking like a leaf trying to get the paddles open to flood the pound I remember and will do forever just turning round and seeing my mates boat tilting over.glad noone or nobody,s boat were lost in either scenario
Pleased everything turned out OK Alan, most of the time I'm on my own, but every lock I do,I do in double slow time or slower keeping an eye all around the boat. You can never be too careful.
Thanks Michael, I was stood by the boat all the time, I think it happened in a split second, as Sally got on the boat and I turned around. I fully agree, must keep a watchful eye at all times.
Negotiating Thames locks a few years ago with a Dunkirk _Little Ship_ with engine starting issues, we wanted to keep engines running but the keeper insisted we shut them off. When we were ready to depart the engines were giving us grief so we were concentrating on getting them going, I glanced up and realized we were drifting fast diagonally with no way of controlling anything because the volunteer lock keeper had cast us adrift... ... _THANKS MATE!_
Glad you're okay. Sorry you had the experience, but I will be aware of it now for our own cruising. If you're going up the Ashby, if it's like it was in August, you certainly won't tip over there. You'll be on the bottom most of the time. Goodness it's shallow in places!
That’s very kind of you to say. This trip was made in July and I don’t recall any particular issues with water levels, as I edit though, I may find some. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Alan, for some reason my comment that I posted within an hour of you vlog going on YT it has been deleted... not sure why!! Just wanted to say lester and I are pleased that the scary boat tilt was resolved quickly!!! How lucky for you that you had people around to assist!!! It only takes a second for a situation to change. Thank you for sharing this awful moment, understanding what happened will help other boaters!! Xxx
Hi Lynette, that's very odd, I often have YT emails, that someone has commented but they're not there! It was a frightening experience, wouldn't wish it on anyone. Once we had discussed it and worked out how it might have happened, we felt much better. I've had several comments from other boaters about their horrific lock experiences xx
Wow Alan! Glad that it turned out OK in the end, although it must have been very frightening. It also shows that when things go wrong, it can happen very quickly. This is the 2nd near narrowboat disaster I have watched in a week. Wes & Amy were close to losing their boat on the river Severn. Their channel is called Boat Time.
Hi Alan, it was really scary, happened in an instant, all was well one moment, and suddenly the boat was tilting. I wasn’t aware of Wes and Amy’s experience, will take a look. Thanks for your concern.
Stressful! I clipped a cill on a 70 foot rental boat years ago. Talk about instant panic stations! Fortunately I had a good crew with radios plus - and I can’t stress this enough - we’d had a drill for just such a scenario. They instantly reacted to my (OK rather loud - and I know you know what I mean !) commands, Paddles were instantly slammed shut downstream and they ran up and eased some more water into the lock and I full throttled her out of danger. Talk about Adrenalin rush! Good advice - always watch your boat and be conscious of what she’s up to at any given moment. No damage too. Thank god those boats are so damned solid eh? Glad all is well for you. Soldier on my friend! As they say “ manure occurs” and is all part of the game. ‘Course now I have my own boat, REAL caution is the name of the game 😅
Thank you for telling me of your experience, I’m sorry to hear what occurred, very frightening for you and all involved but a good recovery made, with all well afterwards. I was stood by my boat, on a lovely sunny day, no reason to expect what was to occur, but it happened so quickly, the initial shock and terror was awful. Caution is needed at all times. I hope you have many years of happy cruising ahead of you.
It all happened in a split second, I was stood by the boat, turned and it was leaning over. Sally had jumped over the dog going into the boat and it was the rocking of the boat at that point in time, which caused it to occur. Please take the utmost care on your travels.
Just right to never be complacent when in and around locks. Simple things like being aware of the cill, but more likely to catch you out as to where the water actually comes in from via those sluice paddles, left or right, under front or back, pushing you towards or away from sides with undercurrents, then the added joys of offset bywashes as you enter or leave locks, then what may lay hidden below?? We once got a sari tangled around our prop in a lock and it took ages to get out. Take care, glad you are o.k.
Hi Frank, thanks for your comment. I was with the boat the whole time we were in the lock. It tilted so quickly, as I turned, and Sally stepped on the boat jumping over Reggie pug, the sudden jolt seemed to make it happen. As you say, need to be ever watchful approaching and going through a lock. Thanks for your concern, keep safe on your travels.
Thanks Chris, it was frightening to see the boat leaning over but once we had an understanding of how it might have happened, we felt much better. You too have a great weekend🤠
For some reason, this vlog only turned up today in my feed (I'm in the US, & had been watching so much of our election debacle, maybe that's why). Anyway, what a harrowing situation! I can well understand how shaken you were. Glad all turned out well! 😳💖👍
I really don’t understand the mysteries of You Tube, I seldom seem to turn up in a search under Narrowboat. It was a horrifying incident that happened so quickly and unexpectedly. I had been stood by the boat all the time, turned round and it was on the tilt. Thanks for your concern, all the best Alan 🤠
Wow I bet (at the time) that put a lot of strain on your ticker and mental health! Thank goodness it all came good in the end. And who said narrow boating is so very chilled out. My wife (and our two young kids at the time) had a narrowboat experience somewhere in the Midlands. It was anything but chilled - I had the wife jumping off the bow with the mooring rope; managing the lock winching; doing all the cooking; managing the kids who had become very bored and ratty living in such close quarters. Me…well I was in charge of steering and all the controls 😂. AND our prop got stuck up with a lot with mud which I had to clear away - horrible job. Never again!
It was a real fright, no doubt of that but when Sally and I discussed what had happened and got a better understanding of how it might have occurred, we felt much better. I left my Narrowboating interest until later in life, as I didn’t think it was a good idea with a young family, I would have been rather nervy about it. But all is well now. Thanks for your comment, cheers🤠
Hi Alan, you did look very shaken up immediately after the incident. I’m glad to see you recovered from it by the time you moored up. The explanation you gave does seem to be the only plausible explanation and like you said, it was a one in a million chance of it happening. I hope you had some alcohol on board to calm your nerves once moored up 😂 take care mate, all the best to you and Sally
Hi Paul, I was, very much so. We stayed in the lock for about an hour, as no boats were wanting to enter. After we got going again and had the chance to discuss the incident, we had a good idea of what might have happened, which eased our minds considerably. All the best, take care.
That was a dreadful situation that you were, thankfully, able to recover from. You can’t take your eyes off of anything including the boat. Just like being around toddlers I guess. I’m glad it all ended well and you have a good idea of the cause. I’m sure many others will be able to take a lesson away from your vlog as a result.
Thank you for your concern Mary Jane, it was frightening, I was stood by the boat, so not inattentive, turned around and it was leaning over. All happened in a split second, as I explained in the video. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Take care, best wishes Alan
I think your explanation is probably correct. I've had the same thing happen at Napton bottom lock which is narrow and the boat wedged solid at a frightening angle as the lock was draining. Dropped the bottom paddles and refilled the lock and all was well. The only casualty was a bottle of vodka which fell off a cabinet and hit the stove hearth.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience, frightening for you. It can easily happen but it was a lovely day and so unexpected. I was stood by the boat, turned around and it was tilting all of a sudden. Just a fluke given the combination of circumstances. Take the utmost care on your travels.
Certainly a lesson to be learned, may I make suggestion that you ensure the boat is well clear of the wall by maybe hanging your fenders over the side. You may then have sufficient clearance from the wall to avoid contact. Thankfully, all went well, take a rest, restore your confidence and enjoy your next cruise. Best wishes.
Hi Ken. Fenders down in locks is not recommended practice. May not be so bad in a double width lock but in a single lock they can cause a boat to get caught between the lock sides if a boat is listing, or the walls are bowing in. I’ve seen many fenders pop off boats going through Watford Locks, where they rub lock side. I always cruise with my fenders up, as they could easily snag on something. As with most things, there are pros and cons. Thanks for the suggestion though. All the best.
Happened to me in Watford flight. As you summised, it was the protruding base plate that got caught in an open mortar line. The first thing I noticed was the chimney that I'd taken off and was lying on the roof, rolling across the roof. Luckily I dropped the paddle to stop the lock emptying and at that moment the boat dropped with an almighty bump off the ledge. Scary at the time, 20 odd years ago, but I remember it everytime I empty a lock and never take my eye off the boat going up or down. Lesson learned...
I’m sorry to hear that, it’s the sort of incident that will always be in the back of your mind. I was stood by my boat the whole time, it happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. Felt better when Sally and I had discussed it and had an understanding of how it occurred.
Eeek, how scary! I have seen (in person and several vids) situations like this and it takes a TINY protruding lip or edge to catch in a gap where mortar has come out or a brick or stone has slipped and a horrible combination of placement of boat, water level, wobble the boat all adds up to these, at the time, mysterious 'boat tipping' events.
Thanks for your comment, it happened so suddenly, it seemed to have occurred when Sally jumped over the dog and gave the boat a jolt, which together with the water level slowly decreasing caused it to snag on the lock side.
Glad your both OK. Would it be a good idea to have some small fenders down each side when going through locks, would keep the boat far enough away from the sides and ensure no repeat?
Thanks Terry, it’s not recommended to have fenders down when cruising or going through locks, particularly single width locks. This was a double lock, and given the nature of my fenders and their position it may or may not have helped. It was the jolt given to the bolt when Sally stepped on, that caused it to tilt, it happened instantly. I’d been stood by the boat the whole time.
Twenty years ago I was at the Albert Lock on the Grand Canal in Ireland when a forty foot hire boat came in crewed by a German family.The skipper went behind the lock keepers house to relieve himself. As the lock emptied the hire boat began to tilt away from the wall and continued to tilt until a wooden dinghy sitting on the roof slid off the coachroof , plopped into the water and sank! It was followed by a bicycle which had been lying on the coachroof along side it. The cruiser continued to tilt until we heard the crashing and splintering of crockery falling from shelves below followed by the metallic clatter of cutlery and anything else that was loose. At this point, the skipper reappeared from behind the cottage. When he saw what was happening, he screamed for the lock keeper who apparently was on the telephone in the cottage. The lock keeper peered over the side of the lock, saw what was happening, let out a roar and scuttled into the cottage, The Germans had tied the boat fast to the mooring bollards!. The lock keeper reappearing at warp speed, with a bread knife. He sawed frantically at the bow rope and when it parted the bow dropped twenty feet into the water, severing the sternline brought the stern plummeting after it . The cacophony of breakage below was terrifying. Sometime later, hire boat limped out of the lock, less its tender and bicycle plus a serious amount of damage below decks-, skippered by a red faced captain and a shaken crew.
It's always been said that a watchful eye must be kept on a boat in a lock, and this is the reason why. I was stood by my boat the whole time and when I turned, the boat was tilting, that's how I know it happened in a split second seemingly when Sally sort of jumped over the dog and jolted the boat.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture You were lucky it didn't go over...don't even think about if there had been someone below... That overhang is a bit of a liability, but not much you can do about it unfortunately. Main thing is, you got away with it, thank God (or whoever is watching over us these days!)
Wow Alan like you showed your base plate sticks out proud of the side of the boat so perhaps it found a spot in a row of bricks that need pointing but it just shows the force that plate was taking to grip the side wall so scary , I met a boater in 2021 who had come up through Grants Lock on the South Oxford Canal and his bow fender got caught under the. Lock plate as his boat was rising so much it lifted his stern up and pushed his bow under sending water through his open bow doors but luckily he saw what was happening so ran to shut the top padles sadly his boat was half filled with water so took ages to dry out so I now look at the top gates and hold back from them until the water is halfway up the top plates !!
I’m sorry to hear of this incident, it demonstrates how quickly disaster can happen. I think my boat turned in a split second, it couldn’t have been gradual, as I would have noticed it, whilst I stood alongside. We got over the initial shock once we understood how it might have occurred.
What a shock and horrendous scare you both had 😲!! I’m glad that there were others around to help you, but even more happy that Sally was with you, I’m sure being able to talk it through together would help you recover and you could comfort each other🤗……. it would have been worse if you had been travelling on your own that trip Alan. Love to you, Sally and Reggie x
Hello Alan mick from Hull hope you are both well After your incident In? The lock I sill enjoyed this Episode up until the lock and I hope Everything goes ok now look forward to your next episode 😊😊😊
Sorry you had such a frightening experience Alan, but I think you are right about the base plate catching on a brick, I believe the base plate that extends out is called the chine, but I may be wrong, but if you think about it it only needs one brick to be slightly proud and it could easily catch on the base plate, albeit I think you were extremely unlucky, but it has certainly made me think about being more vigilant when going through locks. Anyway take care and all the best to you.
Thanks for your comment Chris, someone else has mentioned the chine, I wasn’t aware it was called that, as I’ve never seen it in a glossary of Narrowboat terms. I was stood by the boat, I think it literally happened in a split second, as I turned, and Sally stepped onto the boat. All the best, take care.
Whenever you are up against ant sort of wall you should place fenders in the appropriate place to keep the side of the boat OFF the wall therefore clear of any obstacle protruding from said wall, dock, pier, etc. Lesson learned hopefully.
I don’t wholly disagree but in a lock there are conflicting views, as to whether fenders should be down or not. Fenders can cause problems in locks, particularly single width locks.
I don’t wholly disagree, but there are conflicting views on whether fenders should be down in locks, especially single width locks where they can cause issues.
Blimey Allen just watched this video OMG how fighting, as you say probably a one in a million chance of this happening, You would have thought that if It court the side of the lock as it started to lean, it would have automatically dislodged itself from what ever it was on which probably a joint in the lock walls. And yes it's your home. So if something happens your homeless. Glad it turned out alright but what an absolute shock.
Hi Paul, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly, a real fluke given the circumstances. Would it have dislodged, as water leaked out of the lock or would the weight of water and diesel in the tanks have aided it to topple over. I don't like to think about it. Many thanks for your concern.
I can’t remember which narrow boat vlog I saw it on, but one the things that can cause something like that could be as simple as just one rogue brick that is slightly protruding and that’s all it takes as the water level lowers or rises. Thankfully all is well, but I can imagine it was a few scary moments!
It might have been Kevin from Country House Gent, as I’ve been reminded of an incident he had in a lock but I’ve not yet looked back to see the cause. I do recall such an incident. It was really scary, takes a while for the initial shock to settle down but once we had an idea of how it might have been caused, we felt much better.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Now I recall you could be right I think it was probably Kevin who highlighted that possibility. I suppose it’s to be expected in something that was constructed many moons ago, it might give you a few nightmares but on the positive side it’s going to make you more aware!
@@Tawny6702 Boaters have the awareness of what might happen, I was stood by my boat, I turned and it was tilting over, all in a split second! That's the real danger, the speed at which an incident can happen. Thanks for your comments.
The edge of the base plate is known as a sacrificial chine which wears gradually and protects the actual chine angle from wear. Your boat looks quite slab sided, many have the sides at an angle being built on a 2m base plate widening about 6'10" , so 2' a side and this keeps the edge of the baseplate away from the wall. With a slab sided boat it is much easier for this to catch in brickwork especially if the boat gets a list in the opposite direction allowing the sacrificial chine to hook up in any seam between bricks. It would have almost certainly slipped off long before any risk of turning turtle which would be way more than 45º if indeed it would happen at all due to ballast keeping the centre of gravity low. It is though very alarming when these things happen but it gives your adrenal glands a bit of exercise.
Hi Phil thanks for your comprehensive comment. I hadn't appreciated, that sacrificial edge was called a chine but several viewers have mentioned it. The weight of my boat relative to its displacement doesn't require any ballast, the only ballast I'm aware of being some bricks in the engine bay. I have an 8mm base plate and the fully loaded draft is 19", so I imagine the centre of gravity may be higher than some boats. As you say, it was quite a shock but once Sally and I had discussed it and worked out how it might have happened, we felt much better. She sort of jumped over the dog, so the boat had more of a jolt than just stepping onto it. All the best.
Robbie Cumming warned about boats turning turtle in locks and how dangerous they could be. I wondered if you'd got caught on the curved base at the point where the gates come together. Looks like you were a bit further away though.
Sounds as though Robbie had getting caught on the cill in mind, when going down in a lock. Cill lengths vary enormously and their position is marked lock side with a warning to stay forward of it. If a boat gets caught, the stern will stay high and the front will lower with the risk of water coming in and flooding it. Going up in a lock, the bow can get caught on the front gates with similar consequences. My boat got caught on the side of the lock, due to a series of actions, which came together in a split second.
There is every chance the bottom plate is either 8mm or 10mm. The brickwork has roughly an 8-to 10-mm gap between the courses, where the bricklayer puts the cement. This is normal; in fact, it has to be. As the bottom plate protrudes about half an inch proud of the sides, you would only have to get a small length of bottom plate stuck between the courses. The more weight you put on it, the firmer it gets stuck.
My bottom plate is 8mm, but the projecting sacrficial edge is not part of the base plate and is thinner, and I now know it was a repair made about 11 years ago. I believe that is what caught in the brickwork.
what I noticed immediately is that the rungs on the lock ladder are maybe 4 to 6 inches further apart then the norm... my thought would be, with the boat not being tied up a comer of the base-plate must have gotten jammed between two runs... one somewhat mysterious thing is how it corrected itself, but maybe, with all the people on it, had moved it slightly around it's axis laterally? it only takes a few degrees, but then, the weight is enormous, so still seems rather strange, maybe it reached a point where the wrung itself was put under so much pressure it moved releasing the jam? not sure...
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I looked at the ladder after the incident, and didn't feel at the time that the boat had caught on it. Having looked subsequently at a photo of the ladder, the brickwork either side needs repointing, so that is a possibility or it might just have been caught by the friction between the sacrificial edge and the lock side. I can't be sure, just know it was horrific, to see the boat leaning the way it was. It was thought by some, the boat would just have corrected itself without any intervention.
I don't think the situation was as dire as it appeared. I think the boat would have slid off whatever was holding it up long before it tipped over far enough to start taking on water causing it to turn turtle. It seemed dire because the water was holding it in the 45 degree position. If the water had dropped a little more it would have slid off and scooted out into the middle of the lock.
That may well have happened David, but it doesn’t lessen the initial shock of seeing the boat on its side. I was stood right by the boat and when I turned to look back, it was tilting over, it seemed to have happened in a split second, as Sally stepped aboard.
nessie or leprechaun at the end of the garden springs to mind. Never heard of such nonsense in a broad lock after 45yrs on canals. Very few lose boats in the water - mainly gas explosions or vandalism, neglect - but very few. Noobs often over exaggerate situations and these 'lock angels' are just happy volunteers
You got yourself into a Braunston pickle. Thankfully turned out okay.
Fortunately, of the small pickle variety. All the best.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Haha.
That is a funny comment 😂😂😂
Your advice is spot on.
Boating is slow and relaxing, but things can go dreadfully wrong in an instant.
Life preservers for all on board and land helpers, constant diligence, and situational awareness are crucial..
I've cocked up many a time, including snagging in a lock, so no judgement from me. Glad it was a mishap rather than a catastrophe 👍
Thanks for the video.
@@TimEvans-x6w Hi Tim, thanks for your comment, too true, need to be aware at all times. The incident happened suddenly, I was stood by it all the time, turned my head and it was tilting over.
Wow Alan that was really shocking. It is unsettling to think how quickly something so unexpected and serious can happen. I could see how shaken you were as you moored up outside bottom lock, and it is very understandable. Thankfully all was well, and I do think you have gotten to the bottom of what happened - your explanation at the end certainly seems the most plausible. It was a freak incident for sure, but real life lesson for everyone with a boat - you need to be constantly vigilant. Thank you for sharing this experience and hopefully you and Sally were able to put it behind you and enjoy the rest of your cruise to the fullest. I'm looking forward to seeing the next episodes. Cheers 👍
It happened so quickly and unexpectedly, I was stood by the boat, turned my head and the boat was tilting. Yes, very important to watch the boat always. All the best.
Think your 100% right sacrificial chine caught in the mortar gap between the bricks, happens more than you think but most pop out with no drama.
It seemed to be the only explanation to my mind. I hadn’t realised until now, that part is called the chine, not heard of it or seen it mentioned previously.
Do you mean sacrificial anode or the edge of the base plate?
@@MaritimeFox edge of base plate.
Oh my goodness Alan we’re so pleased you, sally, Reggie and your home are safe. What a scary time bless you. We will certainly take note and be vigilant ❤❤❤❤
Thank you both so much, it was a great shock at the time but once we understood how it might have happened we felt a lot better. Best wishes Alan and Sally ❤️❤️
Thankyou so much, pleased it was ok in the end , sending love to both and Reggie.
Thanks Carol, hope you’re keeping well, Alan and Sally x
I can only say how pleased I were in knowing the events had come to a happy close. I would have hated the fact you lost your home and toppled over leaving you in more turmoil then what was never expected. No one could have imagined the trouble you encountered on this occasion. A very unfortunate accident/incident that could have happened anytime. To anyone, anywhere. I don't think for one second there was anything you did was wrong. Again. Just a chance in a million. 🖖As always Sally & Alan... Stay safe and keep smiling.
Thank you for your concern. It was an unfortunate unexpected incident, which happened in a flash and was over nearly just as quickly. Boaters need to keep vigilant at all times, when in a lock. It was scary but we felt better once we could explain to ourselves how it might have happened. All the best to you Alan and Sally, take care🤠
Glad your boat was o.k. and you fully recovered from the shock quickly. Very good of you to explain the situation for the future benefit of others.
Thank you for your concern, I’ve had quite a few boaters saying they will take extra care in future.
Thank you for posting this Alan, a kick up the posterior for all of us. As you say, 100% attention at all times when locking. Glad you are both ok as well as your boat. 😃
Thank you Peter for commenting, I have just published a further video thanking viewers for their comments and responding to queries about the use of fenders; and why lady boaters are often seen doing the lock work. Best wishes🤠
Wow Alan. I can completely understand how scary that was for you, as you said, for you it is not just a boat. Your analysis of what the cause was seems to be the only plausible explanation. Great to see that it all ended well and you are all ok.
Thank you so much Ray, a very scary incident for us, it happened so quickly but after we’d discussed it later on, we both felt much better.
How very frightening for you Alan.😟
So glad you and your boat are OK.❤
Stay safe🙏❤
Thank you Karen, it was a very disturbing incident but we got over it, once we understood the cause ❤️. Take care
Alan, that was upsetting seeing you so shaken up! I can understand that it must have been a heartstopping for you. As you said, it isn't just your boat, it's also your home! Nightmare. But I'm so glad that no damage was done and that you are all safe. xx
Thank you Jenny, it was terrifying to see the boat leaning over but we soon recovered the situation. Once we’d had the chance to discuss what we thought might have happened, we felt much better. Thanks for your concern, next cruising episode will be published this Thursday xx
Glad to see no-one was hurt Alan. It looked to me as though the ledge to which you refer at the stern, may have caught on the lock steps. A very unusual thing to happen. I hope you've recovered fully now. Best Gareth
Hi Gareth, thanks for your concern. It may have been the lock steps but when I looked along the lock wall, after it had been emptied, I didn't think it was. There was nothing obvious, may just have been friction from the sacrificial edge being up against the wall. The other thing is that the wall pointing is in poor condition, it could have caught in that. Cheers Alan
A very frightening experience and interesting to see what could have caused it. Take care of all of you. ❤❤
It certainly was but once Sally and I had discussed it, and had a better understanding of how it occurred, we felt a lot better. All the best, take care.
😮 whow! what a shock for you and Sally. I’m really glad that there were others around to help you, but even happier that you had Sally with you!! You would have been able to, as you said, talk it through together, but more importantly you could support and comfort each other 🤗. It would have been much more stressful if you were on a solo trip. I’m so glad things worked out ok. Love to you, Sally & Reggie x
Thanks Sue, I couldn’t agree more, it was very comforting to have Sally with me. Very best wishes to you x
I feel your pain Alan, i had the exact scenario at Casiobury top lock, at first i thought a shopping trolley but found nothing, like you there was no explanation, i called crt but they weren too bothered. Scared the heck out me too as it is my home too
Hi Roger, it’s difficult to describe how one feels when it happens, isn’t it, such a frightening incident. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had the same experience.
Well, I'm glad it didn't turn out to be a bad day! It's good when you're not the guy that capsized his boat in the Bottom Lock! Thanks!
Thanks Richard, it was a scary incident but we soon got over it, once we had an understanding of what had happened. Cheers
so glad your all safe and the boat is okay x
Thank you so much👍
Just watched this with hubby. You could see in your face just how much of a scare the boat tilting gave you. It’s good that you gave yourself plenty of time for your heart rate to settle. Quite a hard thing to watch seeing you in a bit of distress.
Thanks for your concern Julie, it was an horrific incident, which occurred in a split second. I was stood by the boat all the time, it wasn’t left unattended. Once Sally and I had discussed how it might have happened, we felt a lot better. As there were no boats wanting to enter the lock, we stayed there some while. Thanks for your comment, all the best to you both.
That was a scary moment Alan...glad Lazy Daze was okay including yourself, Sally and Reggie....continue enjoying your cruise along the cut😊
That’s very kind of you to say, thanks Gary. Thanks also for watching and commenting🤠.
Hi Alan and Sally, what a terrible adventure, I am glad that it ended well for both of you, friendly
We had a terrible fright, all behind us now, thanks for commenting.
I'm so thankful that you are all right now!!! I am at a loss for words!!! Take care be safe and careful!!! I will see you on the next video.
Thank you for your kind words, good of you to say. We were shocked but soon got over it, after discussing what had occurred. All the best, take care.
Alan omg… I am glad everything and you both are ok sending out love Clare and Dean x
Thank you both very much, it was scary but when we understood how it might have happened, our minds were eased x
How scary! I'm very glad all turned out well. Safe travels!
It was, thanks very much, all the best.
Glad all is well.. 🙏 luckily most boaters learn to be very aware of what’s happening with the boat in the lock. Communication is key too! Knowing what you would do in various scenarios.. good to have a plan in place and alert words in emergencies.⚓️
Thank you so much, I was stood by the boat all the time, it happened so quickly and just as quickly, we got it righted. Cheers
Well that was a shock for you; glad you got out of the lock in one piece and took time to relax. It's so reassuring to see other people jump aboard to help you. Cheers, Simon
Thanks Simon, it was horrendous at the time but later, we felt better when we had an understanding of how it might have happened. Cheers.
Oh crikey Alan, that must have been quite scary! So pleased it turned out ok in the end though, you looked visibly shaken up! Like you say, a one in a million chance of that happening, but a reminder that anything can happen, especially in a lock, so to always watch your boat! Glad you’re both ok, and Reggie of course! xx
Hi Julie and Martin, thanks for your concern, it was really frightening at the time, stayed in the lock for about an hour getting thoughts together, as no boats wanted to enter. Please just take the utmost care in your travels. I was stood by the boat when it suddenly happened xx
@@MyNarrowboatVenture❤
We had a very similar incident but it was in a narrow lock. Because it was a narrow lock, the boat could only tilt so far and it got jammed on quite an angle. Our boat had the wood rims along the side of the boat down on the hull and you could see the top rim got caught on a protruding brick as we started to empty the lock. The brick had come loose near the top of the lock and turned at such an angle as to catch the rim. We quickly filled the locked, rocked it off the brick, emptied the lock and then removed the offending brick and let CRT knock. We know that terrifying feeling of your boat possibly sinking and how quickly things can go wrong. You are right, you always need to be very alert no matter how calm things appear.
I’m sorry to hear of your terrifying lock experience, it’s the initial shock and horror that hits so hard, I hope you got over it ok. I have just published a new video, thanking viewers for their comments and I talk about the use of fenders in single locks and the problems they can cause with boats getting wedged in. All the best.
Thanks Alan and Sally, you're right as it looked like it should've been a lovely summer cruise but for a fluke things got scary. Well done to all there for saving the day and your home, who would've thought it though? Great advice to other boaters and lock users from your good self Alan. All's well that ends well, I hope that you, Sally and Reggie are doing well. Take care and all the very best. Stevie
Hi Steve, we’re all fine now, but it was frightening at the time. Thanks for your concern, all the best, take care.
That was frightening! Glad it turned out ok. The same thing happened to a UA-camr on the South Oxford Canal in the Shipton Wier Lock. His boat got caught on a shelf going down in the lock. There can never be enough warnings about the dangers of locks.
Country House Gent 9 months ago.
It’s so important to keep an eye on your boat, I was stood by mine and when I turned, I realised it had tilted, it happened so quickly.
WOW ! What a thing to happen and SO suddenly as well !
ALL the things that could go wrong decided at that moment, to come together, and happen !
One has to be SO careful ! Glad that you caught it in Time !
Of course it will NEVER happen again, ALL the Stars will never align like that for one million years, BUT you will still look at the boat, in the lock, with suspicious eyes !
Has your heart slowed do to acceptable levels yet ?
Always an adventure !
Take care Alan and Sally !
Love to you both !
Stu xx
Hi Stu, thanks for your comment. I hope you’re right in that it won’t happen again, those are my thoughts, as well as yours! After we’d cruised on and talked about it, we had an idea of how it happened, so felt more at ease. You too take care, all the best💙
thank you so much for sharing that, how very scary for you all!! oh my goodness, just goes to show how quickly something can happen.
glad you are all ok.
best wishes.
Thank you Katie for your good wishes, it gave us a real fright but we soon got over it. All the best, Alan and Sally.
Evening Alan and Sally, oh my word, what a horrible thing to have happened. So pleased that you and the boat are ok. I wondered if, when the boat rocked as Sally entered, the rubbing strake got caught on the edge of the lock. Having owned a boat, I think my horror and anguish at this would have been equal to yours, dreadful. Hopefully it didn't spoil your enjoyment of your cruise. Cheers to you both...🍷🍷
Evening Steve, the tilt of the boat would have cleared the rubbing strake from the side of the lock, that’s why I feel sure it was the rubbing edge on the base plate. Once we understood, what we felt had occurred, it settled our minds. There were no more issues with the rest of our cruise, thankfully. All the best Alan and Sally 🥂
Just watched this Alan thank goodness you are both safe & well!
Thank you Helly, it was a terrific shock to see the boat turning but we’re over it now. All the best, take care.
Thanks for sharing... glad all OK my wife was upset for you. Stay safe & hope you both got a stiff drink love nb Lady in red ❤
Hi Paul, thank you and your wife for your concern, it was scary but having discussed it and got an understanding of how it might have happened, we both felt much better💙.
How fortunate that there was a volunteer lock keeper and also passers by to help you quickly right the boat... phew... what a fright for you. Glad it all turned out OK.
It all happened so quickly, there were others about at the time, it couldn’t have occurred gradually, it seemed to happen in a split second. We were ok after discussing it.
Alan you and Sally could of lost your home but you got it taken care off well done i understand why you was so shaken up so close to a disaster hope the rest of your cruises is calm and peaceful See you next Vlog stay safe both of you. Take good care of the pooch keep him safe too. Ed 40 S of Vegas
Hi Ed, it was a frightening incident but once we understood how it might have happened, we both felt a lot better. Reggie is fine thanks, he’s well looked after. You too take care, all the best.
Hi Alan so pleased you're ok it must have been frightening, take care and stay safe.
Hi Peter. It really was at the time, but when we realised what might have happened, we felt much better. Take care🤠
Good to see all is now well with you both and of course the boat.
Thank you John, it was scary to see the boat tilting over, but once Sally and I discussed it and had an understanding of why it might have happened, we felt much better.
Good to see everything worked out ok. Take care and be safe
Thank you Hugh, all the best to you.
So glad all turned out ok in the end
Thank you Paul, much appreciated.
I saw the boat starting to tilt from the shop window so ran out and luckily the lock keeper saw the same thing a whipped the paddle up to refill the lock saving a disaster, thankfully all has been ok since this happened 👍🏻
Hi Clare, I remember you rushing out to assist, Sally and I thank you for that. I had already told the volunteer to raise the paddle. I was stood by the boat the whole time but when Sally stepped aboard, the boat rocked and got caught lock side. We hope all is going well for you in the shop and wish you every success for the future🤠
Same thing happened to us in dowley gap lock on the Leeds Liverpool but we was in there with another boat. I was on the stern about half way down the lock and something got caught and the boat almost went down. I was petrified. It truly is the worst experience of my life to date. We also live aboard with two dogs that was also on the boat with no way to get them out. I jumped up out the lock run to close the nearest paddle when someone shouted it's gone. My heart sunk until I turned around and the boat had freed it's. By it's gone I thought they meant it had sunk, thankfully it hadn't. Glad everything worked out alright for you guys.
I’m really sorry to hear of your experience, far worse than what happened to us but the initial scare element very similar I would think. I’m glad you were fine in the end. It’s the speed of how these incidents occur that is frightening and knowing how to instinctively react to correct the danger. All the best, hope you continue to enjoy Narrowboating.
I have to say it would irritate me no end if my husband told me how to lower the windlass and shut the gates after the boat! It just shows though how vigilant you have to be all the time on the boat. Glad nothing serious happened.
Thanks for your concern Brenda. Sally is still learning and encountering different types of lock gear, so guidance has to be given.
Thank goodness both of you are okay, very scary event, take care both of you.
Thanks Dougie, we’re both fine, it was a little while back. All the best, keep safe.
Feel your pain Alan , earlier this year we were roped to a Bollard in one of the pounds on the Marple flight waiting for our turn to enter the lock , my 1st mistake was to go inside the boat to check on our pooch , I then realised the boat was tilting right over to the point water was coming into the bow vents , I'll never forget that feeling, the pound level had dropped and i was over a ledge , luckily my mate remained calm and ran upto to the lock above and let water in and eventually the boat moved off the shelf , a few signs warning about the shelf might be in order ,I still have flash backs , glad things turned out ok for you guys
I’m so sorry to hear of this frightening incident and glad you were able to get it sorted quickly. It’s that initial shock that creates the terror feeling, so many dreaded thoughts all at once. I’m not familiar with the Marple Flight, lock pounds are sometimes visibly low but if you’re not expecting it, as you weren’t, then that’s when disaster can strike. Thanks for commenting and for your empathy. All the best.
I am not to sure about the staying calm bit Mark I was shaking like a leaf trying to get the paddles open to flood the pound I remember and will do forever just turning round and seeing my mates boat tilting over.glad noone or nobody,s boat were lost in either scenario
@@andybirchenall1113 Thanks Andy.
@@andybirchenall1113 either way you played a blinder mate , unlike me who was jumping on the boat like some crazy man 🤣
Pleased everything turned out OK Alan, most of the time I'm on my own, but every lock I do,I do in
double slow time or slower keeping an eye all around the boat. You can never be too careful.
Thanks Michael, I was stood by the boat all the time, I think it happened in a split second, as Sally got on the boat and I turned around. I fully agree, must keep a watchful eye at all times.
Negotiating Thames locks a few years ago with a Dunkirk _Little Ship_ with engine starting issues, we wanted to keep engines running but the keeper insisted we shut them off. When we were ready to depart the engines were giving us grief so we were concentrating on getting them going, I glanced up and realized we were drifting fast diagonally with no way of controlling anything because the volunteer lock keeper had cast us adrift... ... _THANKS MATE!_
That sounds scary, glad all worked out well in the end.
I think you are correct. A one in a million chance of that happening. Terrifying!
It happened so quickly, that’s why the advice is to always keep an eye on your boat and I was stood by mine!
Glad you're okay. Sorry you had the experience, but I will be aware of it now for our own cruising.
If you're going up the Ashby, if it's like it was in August, you certainly won't tip over there. You'll be on the bottom most of the time. Goodness it's shallow in places!
That’s very kind of you to say. This trip was made in July and I don’t recall any particular issues with water levels, as I edit though, I may find some. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Alan, for some reason my comment that I posted within an hour of you vlog going on YT it has been deleted... not sure why!! Just wanted to say lester and I are pleased that the scary boat tilt was resolved quickly!!! How lucky for you that you had people around to assist!!! It only takes a second for a situation to change. Thank you for sharing this awful moment, understanding what happened will help other boaters!! Xxx
Hi Lynette, that's very odd, I often have YT emails, that someone has commented but they're not there! It was a frightening experience, wouldn't wish it on anyone. Once we had discussed it and worked out how it might have happened, we felt much better. I've had several comments from other boaters about their horrific lock experiences xx
All's Well that ended well but what a scare in between, a point to remember. Hope everything goes well from now on.
Many thanks, we carried on without any further incident, as you’ll see in subsequent episodes. Cheers.
Wow Alan! Glad that it turned out OK in the end, although it must have been very frightening. It also shows that when things go wrong, it can happen very quickly. This is the 2nd near narrowboat disaster I have watched in a week. Wes & Amy were close to losing their boat on the river Severn. Their channel is called Boat Time.
Hi Alan, it was really scary, happened in an instant, all was well one moment, and suddenly the boat was tilting. I wasn’t aware of Wes and Amy’s experience, will take a look. Thanks for your concern.
Stressful!
I clipped a cill on a 70 foot rental boat years ago. Talk about instant panic stations! Fortunately I had a good crew with radios plus - and I can’t stress this enough - we’d had a drill for just such a scenario. They instantly reacted to my (OK rather loud - and I know you know what I mean !) commands, Paddles were instantly slammed shut downstream and they ran up and eased some more water into the lock and I full throttled her out of danger. Talk about Adrenalin rush! Good advice - always watch your boat and be conscious of what she’s up to at any given moment. No damage too. Thank god those boats are so damned solid eh?
Glad all is well for you.
Soldier on my friend! As they say “ manure occurs” and is all part of the game.
‘Course now I have my own boat, REAL caution is the name of the game 😅
Thank you for telling me of your experience, I’m sorry to hear what occurred, very frightening for you and all involved but a good recovery made, with all well afterwards. I was stood by my boat, on a lovely sunny day, no reason to expect what was to occur, but it happened so quickly, the initial shock and terror was awful. Caution is needed at all times. I hope you have many years of happy cruising ahead of you.
I do exactly the same going ahead prepping the next lock, I think I’m going to pay more attention as you’ve demonstrated how quickly it can go wrong.
It all happened in a split second, I was stood by the boat, turned and it was leaning over. Sally had jumped over the dog going into the boat and it was the rocking of the boat at that point in time, which caused it to occur. Please take the utmost care on your travels.
Just right to never be complacent when in and around locks. Simple things like being aware of the cill, but more likely to catch you out as to where the water actually comes in from via those sluice paddles, left or right, under front or back, pushing you towards or away from sides with undercurrents, then the added joys of offset bywashes as you enter or leave locks, then what may lay hidden below?? We once got a sari tangled around our prop in a lock and it took ages to get out. Take care, glad you are o.k.
Hi Frank, thanks for your comment. I was with the boat the whole time we were in the lock. It tilted so quickly, as I turned, and Sally stepped on the boat jumping over Reggie pug, the sudden jolt seemed to make it happen. As you say, need to be ever watchful approaching and going through a lock. Thanks for your concern, keep safe on your travels.
Glad you were all OK must have been very scary 😨. Just go's the show allows be very careful in a Lock.😊Have a nice relaxing weekend
Thanks Chris, it was frightening to see the boat leaning over but once we had an understanding of how it might have happened, we felt much better. You too have a great weekend🤠
@@MyNarrowboatVenture thank you
Awww, bless 😮. I'm just glad you're both okay 👍 ❤
Thank you so much Jeanette, I've only just seen your comment, as it was held for review and i don't think to look for those.
makes sense lock needs pointing glad your safe and sound
Many thanks for your concern, cheers.
For some reason, this vlog only turned up today in my feed (I'm in the US, & had been watching so much of our election debacle, maybe that's why). Anyway, what a harrowing situation! I can well understand how shaken you were. Glad all turned out well! 😳💖👍
I really don’t understand the mysteries of You Tube, I seldom seem to turn up in a search under Narrowboat. It was a horrifying incident that happened so quickly and unexpectedly. I had been stood by the boat all the time, turned round and it was on the tilt. Thanks for your concern, all the best Alan 🤠
Wow I bet (at the time) that put a lot of strain on your ticker and mental health! Thank goodness it all came good in the end. And who said narrow boating is so very chilled out. My wife (and our two young kids at the time) had a narrowboat experience somewhere in the Midlands. It was anything but chilled - I had the wife jumping off the bow with the mooring rope; managing the lock winching; doing all the cooking; managing the kids who had become very bored and ratty living in such close quarters. Me…well I was in charge of steering and all the controls 😂. AND our prop got stuck up with a lot with mud which I had to clear away - horrible job. Never again!
It was a real fright, no doubt of that but when Sally and I discussed what had happened and got a better understanding of how it might have occurred, we felt much better. I left my Narrowboating interest until later in life, as I didn’t think it was a good idea with a young family, I would have been rather nervy about it. But all is well now. Thanks for your comment, cheers🤠
Great video. Brought back memories for us lots of places we moored. Especially the Nelson pub. 😂😂🍻🍻🍻
Thanks Bob, I can imagine the Nelson being a favourite for you 🤠.
Crikey Alan that was very scary, glad you managed to sort it and work out what the cause was.
Thanks Grant, it was horrifying but once we’d identified the cause we both felt much better and there were no more incidents, thankfully.
@@MyNarrowboatVenturethat’s good to hear and you can prevent from happening in the future. Have a great weekend.
@@narrowboateverafter Certainly hope so, you too have a good weekend.
Hi Alan, you did look very shaken up immediately after the incident. I’m glad to see you recovered from it by the time you moored up. The explanation you gave does seem to be the only plausible explanation and like you said, it was a one in a million chance of it happening. I hope you had some alcohol on board to calm your nerves once moored up 😂 take care mate, all the best to you and Sally
Hi Paul, I was, very much so. We stayed in the lock for about an hour, as no boats were wanting to enter. After we got going again and had the chance to discuss the incident, we had a good idea of what might have happened, which eased our minds considerably. All the best, take care.
That was a dreadful situation that you were, thankfully, able to recover from. You can’t take your eyes off of anything including the boat. Just like being around toddlers I guess. I’m glad it all ended well and you have a good idea of the cause. I’m sure many others will be able to take a lesson away from your vlog as a result.
Thank you for your concern Mary Jane, it was frightening, I was stood by the boat, so not inattentive, turned around and it was leaning over. All happened in a split second, as I explained in the video. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Take care, best wishes Alan
Nice 1 Alan and Sally, glad you got through a close call…
It was an horrendous incident but we soon got over it, once we understood what had happened.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture it’s your home Alan, I understand mate…
I think your explanation is probably correct. I've had the same thing happen at Napton bottom lock which is narrow and the boat wedged solid at a frightening angle as the lock was draining. Dropped the bottom paddles and refilled the lock and all was well. The only casualty was a bottle of vodka which fell off a cabinet and hit the stove hearth.
I’m sorry to hear of your experience, frightening for you. It can easily happen but it was a lovely day and so unexpected. I was stood by the boat, turned around and it was tilting all of a sudden. Just a fluke given the combination of circumstances. Take the utmost care on your travels.
That must have been a terrifying experience for you. I'm glad all is OK now.
It certainly was at the time but having discussed it with Sally and worked out how it might have happened, eased our minds.
Certainly a lesson to be learned, may I make suggestion that you ensure the boat is well clear of the wall by maybe hanging your fenders over the side. You may then have sufficient clearance from the wall to avoid contact. Thankfully, all went well, take a rest, restore your confidence and enjoy your next cruise. Best wishes.
Hi Ken. Fenders down in locks is not recommended practice. May not be so bad in a double width lock but in a single lock they can cause a boat to get caught between the lock sides if a boat is listing, or the walls are bowing in. I’ve seen many fenders pop off boats going through Watford Locks, where they rub lock side. I always cruise with my fenders up, as they could easily snag on something. As with most things, there are pros and cons. Thanks for the suggestion though. All the best.
Thanks for the reply Alan.
Happened to me in Watford flight. As you summised, it was the protruding base plate that got caught in an open mortar line. The first thing I noticed was the chimney that I'd taken off and was lying on the roof, rolling across the roof. Luckily I dropped the paddle to stop the lock emptying and at that moment the boat dropped with an almighty bump off the ledge. Scary at the time, 20 odd years ago, but I remember it everytime I empty a lock and never take my eye off the boat going up or down. Lesson learned...
I’m sorry to hear that, it’s the sort of incident that will always be in the back of your mind. I was stood by my boat the whole time, it happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. Felt better when Sally and I had discussed it and had an understanding of how it occurred.
Eeek, how scary!
I have seen (in person and several vids) situations like this and it takes a TINY protruding lip or edge to catch in a gap where mortar has come out or a brick or stone has slipped and a horrible combination of placement of boat, water level, wobble the boat all adds up to these, at the time, mysterious 'boat tipping' events.
Thanks for your comment, it happened so suddenly, it seemed to have occurred when Sally jumped over the dog and gave the boat a jolt, which together with the water level slowly decreasing caused it to snag on the lock side.
Glad your both OK. Would it be a good idea to have some small fenders down each side when going through locks, would keep the boat far enough away from the sides and ensure no repeat?
Thanks Terry, it’s not recommended to have fenders down when cruising or going through locks, particularly single width locks. This was a double lock, and given the nature of my fenders and their position it may or may not have helped. It was the jolt given to the bolt when Sally stepped on, that caused it to tilt, it happened instantly. I’d been stood by the boat the whole time.
Hope you have both recovered very scary
We’re both fine thanks Brian, once we understood what had happened, it eased our minds.
Twenty years ago I was at the Albert Lock on the Grand Canal in Ireland when a forty foot hire boat came in crewed by a German family.The skipper went behind the lock keepers house to relieve himself. As the lock emptied the hire boat began to tilt away from the wall and continued to tilt until a wooden dinghy sitting on the roof slid off the coachroof , plopped into the water and sank! It was followed by a bicycle which had been lying on the coachroof along side it. The cruiser continued to tilt until we heard the crashing and splintering of crockery falling from shelves below followed by the metallic clatter of cutlery and anything else that was loose. At this point, the skipper reappeared from behind the cottage. When he saw what was happening, he screamed for the lock keeper who apparently was on the telephone in the cottage. The lock keeper peered over the side of the lock, saw what was happening, let out a roar and scuttled into the cottage, The Germans had tied the boat fast to the mooring bollards!. The lock keeper reappearing at warp speed, with a bread knife. He sawed frantically at the bow rope and when it parted the bow dropped twenty feet into the water, severing the sternline brought the stern plummeting after it . The cacophony of breakage below was terrifying. Sometime later, hire boat limped out of the lock, less its tender and bicycle plus a serious amount of damage below decks-, skippered by a red faced captain and a shaken crew.
It's always been said that a watchful eye must be kept on a boat in a lock, and this is the reason why. I was stood by my boat the whole time and when I turned, the boat was tilting, that's how I know it happened in a split second seemingly when Sally sort of jumped over the dog and jolted the boat.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture You were lucky it didn't go over...don't even think about if there had been someone below... That overhang is a bit of a liability, but not much you can do about it unfortunately. Main thing is, you got away with it, thank God (or whoever is watching over us these days!)
A terrible fright but I glad that's all it was, and nobody hurt and no damage!
Thank you, it was rather scary at the time but we’re past it now.
WELL SAVED 👍LOOKING AT THE BRICKWORK ON MANY LOCKS IT'S AMAZING IT DOESN'T HAPPEN MORE ❤
Many thanks, it was a fluke really, for the boat to have caught the lock side the way it did.
Check CHG Aslan 9 months ago. Had similar incident on the Oxford, got caught on a lock ledge tipped 45 degrees.. Reminded Alan and got a reply.
Hi Philip, thanks for your comment, all the best.
Wow Alan like you showed your base plate sticks out proud of the side of the boat so perhaps it found a spot in a row of bricks that need pointing but it just shows the force that plate was taking to grip the side wall so scary , I met a boater in 2021 who had come up through Grants Lock on the South Oxford Canal and his bow fender got caught under the. Lock plate as his boat was rising so much it lifted his stern up and pushed his bow under sending water through his open bow doors but luckily he saw what was happening so ran to shut the top padles sadly his boat was half filled with water so took ages to dry out so I now look at the top gates and hold back from them until the water is halfway up the top plates !!
I’m sorry to hear of this incident, it demonstrates how quickly disaster can happen. I think my boat turned in a split second, it couldn’t have been gradual, as I would have noticed it, whilst I stood alongside. We got over the initial shock once we understood how it might have occurred.
What a shock and horrendous scare you both had 😲!! I’m glad that there were others around to help you, but even more happy that Sally was with you, I’m sure being able to talk it through together would help you recover and you could comfort each other🤗……. it would have been worse if you had been travelling on your own that trip Alan. Love to you, Sally and Reggie x
Hello Alan mick from Hull hope you are both well After your incident In?
The lock I sill enjoyed this Episode up until the lock and I hope Everything goes ok now look forward to your next episode 😊😊😊
Hi Mick, thanks for your comment, it was a scary incident but we're both over it now. All the best.
Sorry you had such a frightening experience Alan, but I think you are right about the base plate catching on a brick, I believe the base plate that extends out is called the chine, but I may be wrong, but if you think about it it only needs one brick to be slightly proud and it could easily catch on the base plate, albeit I think you were extremely unlucky, but it has certainly made me think about being more vigilant when going through locks. Anyway take care and all the best to you.
Thanks for your comment Chris, someone else has mentioned the chine, I wasn’t aware it was called that, as I’ve never seen it in a glossary of Narrowboat terms. I was stood by the boat, I think it literally happened in a split second, as I turned, and Sally stepped onto the boat. All the best, take care.
great vlog cranking on the channel hope you ok after the probloms thanks lee
All is good thanks Lee, hope you’re keeping well.
Whenever you are up against ant sort of wall you should place fenders in the appropriate place to keep the side of the boat OFF the wall therefore clear of any obstacle protruding from said wall, dock, pier, etc. Lesson learned hopefully.
I don’t wholly disagree but in a lock there are conflicting views, as to whether fenders should be down or not. Fenders can cause problems in locks, particularly single width locks.
I don’t wholly disagree, but there are conflicting views on whether fenders should be down in locks, especially single width locks where they can cause issues.
Blimey Allen just watched this video OMG how fighting, as you say probably a one in a million chance of this happening,
You would have thought that if It court the side of the lock as it started to lean, it would have automatically dislodged itself from what ever it was on which probably a joint in the lock walls.
And yes it's your home.
So if something happens your homeless.
Glad it turned out alright but what an absolute shock.
Hi Paul, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly, a real fluke given the circumstances. Would it have dislodged, as water leaked out of the lock or would the weight of water and diesel in the tanks have aided it to topple over. I don't like to think about it. Many thanks for your concern.
Alan I’m so sorry for your fright and happy everything worked out. Please pet Reggie for me
Thank you Ginger, Sally and Reggie are with me, so he’s had lots of cuddles on your behalf.
I’m glad you’re okay
Thank you so much.
I can’t remember which narrow boat vlog I saw it on, but one the things that can cause something like that could be as simple as just one rogue brick that is slightly protruding and that’s all it takes as the water level lowers or rises. Thankfully all is well, but I can imagine it was a few scary moments!
It might have been Kevin from Country House Gent, as I’ve been reminded of an incident he had in a lock but I’ve not yet looked back to see the cause. I do recall such an incident. It was really scary, takes a while for the initial shock to settle down but once we had an idea of how it might have been caused, we felt much better.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Now I recall you could be right I think it was probably Kevin who highlighted that possibility. I suppose it’s to be expected in something that was constructed many moons ago, it might give you a few nightmares but on the positive side it’s going to make you more aware!
@@Tawny6702 Boaters have the awareness of what might happen, I was stood by my boat, I turned and it was tilting over, all in a split second! That's the real danger, the speed at which an incident can happen. Thanks for your comments.
The edge of the base plate is known as a sacrificial chine which wears gradually and protects the actual chine angle from wear. Your boat looks quite slab sided, many have the sides at an angle being built on a 2m base plate widening about 6'10" , so 2' a side and this keeps the edge of the baseplate away from the wall. With a slab sided boat it is much easier for this to catch in brickwork especially if the boat gets a list in the opposite direction allowing the sacrificial chine to hook up in any seam between bricks. It would have almost certainly slipped off long before any risk of turning turtle which would be way more than 45º if indeed it would happen at all due to ballast keeping the centre of gravity low. It is though very alarming when these things happen but it gives your adrenal glands a bit of exercise.
Hi Phil thanks for your comprehensive comment. I hadn't appreciated, that sacrificial edge was called a chine but several viewers have mentioned it. The weight of my boat relative to its displacement doesn't require any ballast, the only ballast I'm aware of being some bricks in the engine bay. I have an 8mm base plate and the fully loaded draft is 19", so I imagine the centre of gravity may be higher than some boats. As you say, it was quite a shock but once Sally and I had discussed it and worked out how it might have happened, we felt much better. She sort of jumped over the dog, so the boat had more of a jolt than just stepping onto it. All the best.
Looks like a good workout on those locks cheaper than a gym
I couldn't agree more, the trouble is I'm the one that needs the workout but have to steer the boat.
Robbie Cumming warned about boats turning turtle in locks and how dangerous they could be. I wondered if you'd got caught on the curved base at the point where the gates come together. Looks like you were a bit further away though.
Sounds as though Robbie had getting caught on the cill in mind, when going down in a lock. Cill lengths vary enormously and their position is marked lock side with a warning to stay forward of it. If a boat gets caught, the stern will stay high and the front will lower with the risk of water coming in and flooding it. Going up in a lock, the bow can get caught on the front gates with similar consequences. My boat got caught on the side of the lock, due to a series of actions, which came together in a split second.
There is every chance the bottom plate is either 8mm or 10mm. The brickwork has roughly an 8-to 10-mm gap between the courses, where the bricklayer puts the cement. This is normal; in fact, it has to be. As the bottom plate protrudes about half an inch proud of the sides, you would only have to get a small length of bottom plate stuck between the courses. The more weight you put on it, the firmer it gets stuck.
My bottom plate is 8mm, but the projecting sacrficial edge is not part of the base plate and is thinner, and I now know it was a repair made about 11 years ago. I believe that is what caught in the brickwork.
What a frightening experience Alan, did you need a change of underwear? So glad everything is ok❤
No! a bit more than that 🤣. It was very disturbing, as initially, there was no obvious reason for it to have happened.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture I think you were right, about the bottom boater getting hooked in a mortar line in the brick wall.
It seemed to be the only explanation and settled our minds.
Sally is on the ball Xx
She ❤️ certainly is, did a great job🤠
what I noticed immediately is that the rungs on the lock ladder are maybe 4 to 6 inches further apart then the norm... my thought would be, with the boat not being tied up a comer of the base-plate must have gotten jammed between two runs... one somewhat mysterious thing is how it corrected itself, but maybe, with all the people on it, had moved it slightly around it's axis laterally? it only takes a few degrees, but then, the weight is enormous, so still seems rather strange, maybe it reached a point where the wrung itself was put under so much pressure it moved releasing the jam? not sure...
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I looked at the ladder after the incident, and didn't feel at the time that the boat had caught on it. Having looked subsequently at a photo of the ladder, the brickwork either side needs repointing, so that is a possibility or it might just have been caught by the friction between the sacrificial edge and the lock side. I can't be sure, just know it was horrific, to see the boat leaning the way it was. It was thought by some, the boat would just have corrected itself without any intervention.
I don't think the situation was as dire as it appeared. I think the boat would have slid off whatever was holding it up long before it tipped over far enough to start taking on water causing it to turn turtle. It seemed dire because the water was holding it in the 45 degree position. If the water had dropped a little more it would have slid off and scooted out into the middle of the lock.
That may well have happened David, but it doesn’t lessen the initial shock of seeing the boat on its side. I was stood right by the boat and when I turned to look back, it was tilting over, it seemed to have happened in a split second, as Sally stepped aboard.
Ah summertime.x
Not only keep a watchful eye but make sure your boat is tied.
The problem is, in a leaking lock, tying the boat could cause it to get hung up.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Thats why you keep eyes on boat and slacken rope.
Take Take care Alan.. .
Thank you Stephen and you!
Wow even in fast forward you dragged that out😮
It’s pretty obvious that plate caught on the steps. Just look at your own video
What would we do without fast forward 😂.
Hi Alan. GG says woof to Reggie
Hi Kat, Sally and Reggie are with me and return your woof to GG.
nessie or leprechaun at the end of the garden springs to mind. Never heard of such nonsense in a broad lock after 45yrs on canals. Very few lose boats in the water - mainly gas explosions or vandalism, neglect - but very few. Noobs often over exaggerate situations and these 'lock angels' are just happy volunteers