T&T: Praktek Fenders Locks

[Bob Austin]

We have found in locks it really paid to have a winch aft.  There are
relitatively in-expensive electric winches (capstan only)(less than the
deductable on many boats for fiberglass repair) which are line only and
elecrically operated.   We had manual winches--which were quite powerful
because of the sails on the boat--but these winches are ideal for both keeping
the lines tight and slacking them off.  Such winches are also very helpful for
handling ground tackle on the stern, and for bringing the boat stern too when
docking or med mooring, which is the norm in many parts of the world.

If I had a trawler and was going thru locks on a regular basis, I would add a
stern winch (capstan).

Bob Austin