GL: Tying in locks

[Jim Healy]

Ralph wrote:
 
"When it comes time to do The Loop I doubt I will bother with this fan belt
idea and will probably just use straight rope. Less to hassle with when
pulling up to the lock, will be a more consistent system for my wife and
therefore probably systematically easier to deal with."
 
We did what Charles and Pat Culotta mentioned, modified.  Not so much on the
NYS Canal System or the Canadian Canals where there are wires/ropes that
secure most boats, but on the big locks with floating bollards, we slide a 5
ft length of hose over the line, then tied it in a loop that would not slip.
The loop provided physical body to the line.  The forward end of the loop
line was fixed at the bow hawse pipe.  The loop established a connection
point between the bow and midships hawse.  The aft end of the line was
secured to the aft hawse after the bollard was secured.  As the captain got
as close as possible to the wall, the mate snagged the bollard.  The captain
would snug fwd on the now secured line, and the mate would tighten and
secure the stern.  We used our stern thrusters to keep us on the wall.  With
this arrangement, it was much easier for us to reach the bollard without the
mate having to over-reach.  The fact is, the captain is not always as close
to the wall as the mate would like, and sometimes, depending on wind and
lock traffic it's really important to snag that bollard the first time.  The
body provided by the hose makes it possible to stick that loop 4 - 5 - 6 ft
safely.  This will, of course, depend a great deal on the configuration of
your individual boat.  Nothing could be worse than a MOB Drill in one of
these large locks, so do figure out a quick, efficient and safe way to snag
that bollard the first time.
 
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
AGLCA # 3767
MTOA # 3436