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CM

Craig Marshall

Mon, Oct 1, 2012 1:44 PM

I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks.

Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help?

Are there any other areas that may require added assistance?

Thanks

Craig Marshall
Lil' Hatt

I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks. Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help? Are there any other areas that may require added assistance? Thanks Craig Marshall Lil' Hatt

TA

Terry Allen

Mon, Oct 1, 2012 2:24 PM

Generally every lock has a taut cable attached vertically to the lock walls,
vertical ladders, and/or a weighted rope line that hangs down attached at
the top. There are several on both sides of the lock walls. Either are
easy to hang onto...albeit scummy. Take a pair of heavy duty vinyl dipped
rubber gloves with you. I have never been provided a line on the Erie. You
need to provide that. Line tending by lock crews is done on the Welland
but you have to provide the line in most cases.

Most small boaters run a line from the bow ( or midships spring) cleat
around the vertical devices and hold UNCLEATED near the stern. Some smaller
open boats just use a boat hook. Larger boats have two deck crew to manage
bow and stern while the helmsman controls forward/stern motion with the
engines. Going down is a breeze but going up can be tricky if they let the
water in on the side you select as the current will try to pull you off the
wall. Some newer locks have valves in the center that helps. In any case
make sure you have sufficent fenders. A couple of ball fenders seems to be
the way to go.

I do not know how readily you can reach one of these devices from your wheel
house position ( which if I recall is a "flying bridge" design with ladder
to the main deck) as you maneuver into position, especially if it is a upper
deck bridge. Sounds difficult and potentially dangerous as usually some
quick action is required once in position to grab the ladder/line/whatever.

I would not expect any help from a locktender. They are there to control
gates, water level and tend their lawns and flower beds...not to be critical
but all lock tenders on the Erie compete for best looking lock landscape.

There is a guy who occassionally reads this list named Rodger St. Amand who
can contract crew to assist you. The last card I got from him lists his #
as (905) 646-8765 and e-mail yachts4u@can.net. It's been awhile since I got
a quote from him but I believe it's $250 a day.

T

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Marshall" craighmarshall@yahoo.com
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 9:44 AM
Subject: GL: Locking Thru the Erie

I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I
expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships
and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port
decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks.

Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very
labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating
some local help?

Are there any other areas that may require added assistance?

Thanks

Craig Marshall
Lil' Hatt

http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

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Generally every lock has a taut cable attached vertically to the lock walls, vertical ladders, and/or a weighted rope line that hangs down attached at the top. There are several on both sides of the lock walls. Either are easy to hang onto...albeit scummy. Take a pair of heavy duty vinyl dipped rubber gloves with you. I have never been provided a line on the Erie. You need to provide that. Line tending by lock crews is done on the Welland but you have to provide the line in most cases. Most small boaters run a line from the bow ( or midships spring) cleat around the vertical devices and hold UNCLEATED near the stern. Some smaller open boats just use a boat hook. Larger boats have two deck crew to manage bow and stern while the helmsman controls forward/stern motion with the engines. Going down is a breeze but going up can be tricky if they let the water in on the side you select as the current will try to pull you off the wall. Some newer locks have valves in the center that helps. In any case make sure you have sufficent fenders. A couple of ball fenders seems to be the way to go. I do not know how readily you can reach one of these devices from your wheel house position ( which if I recall is a "flying bridge" design with ladder to the main deck) as you maneuver into position, especially if it is a upper deck bridge. Sounds difficult and potentially dangerous as usually some quick action is required once in position to grab the ladder/line/whatever. I would not expect any help from a locktender. They are there to control gates, water level and tend their lawns and flower beds...not to be critical but all lock tenders on the Erie compete for best looking lock landscape. There is a guy who occassionally reads this list named Rodger St. Amand who can contract crew to assist you. The last card I got from him lists his # as (905) 646-8765 and e-mail yachts4u@can.net. It's been awhile since I got a quote from him but I believe it's $250 a day. T ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Marshall" <craighmarshall@yahoo.com> To: <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 9:44 AM Subject: GL: Locking Thru the Erie I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks. Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help? Are there any other areas that may require added assistance? Thanks Craig Marshall Lil' Hatt _______________________________________________ http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

JM

John Mencel

Mon, Oct 1, 2012 5:12 PM

Craig, I took my Hatteras 36 Sedan through the Erie Canal this past spring. I put out large ball fenders along the side, along with some fenders right near the bow in case the bow swung into the wall as I was setting up. I had a 15' dock line at a midship cleat that I then took around the cable and back to the cleat and then held it. A boat hook comes in handy too to hook on to the cable and hold things until you can put your line around it.

Some of the locks simply have ropes hanging down you just grab onto midship. Two people make it easier as you can grab a rope bow and stern.

If you are driving from a fly bridge (as I was) you will need someone along to help. If you have a lower station you can likely manage it yourself as long as you just take your time.

For the Welland ... you need someone to help.

John

Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2012 06:44:17 -0700
From: craighmarshall@yahoo.com
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: GL: Locking Thru the Erie

I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks.

Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help?

Are there any other areas that may require added assistance?

Thanks

Craig Marshall
Lil' Hatt

http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address,
unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

Craig, I took my Hatteras 36 Sedan through the Erie Canal this past spring. I put out large ball fenders along the side, along with some fenders right near the bow in case the bow swung into the wall as I was setting up. I had a 15' dock line at a midship cleat that I then took around the cable and back to the cleat and then held it. A boat hook comes in handy too to hook on to the cable and hold things until you can put your line around it. Some of the locks simply have ropes hanging down you just grab onto midship. Two people make it easier as you can grab a rope bow and stern. If you are driving from a fly bridge (as I was) you will need someone along to help. If you have a lower station you can likely manage it yourself as long as you just take your time. For the Welland ... you need someone to help. John > Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2012 06:44:17 -0700 > From: craighmarshall@yahoo.com > To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > Subject: GL: Locking Thru the Erie > > I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks. > > Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help? > > Are there any other areas that may require added assistance? > > Thanks > > Craig Marshall > Lil' Hatt > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com