Speed debating

Wednesday, 15 April 2009 16:28

Moored on the Middlewich Arm, amongst lovely countryside

Since we have been, we have realised it is a bit of a race track, as once again there are speeding boats. Ok, it is very straight and fairly wide but .....

We have put springs out again, as is becoming our habit. Now I am not a grouch (well not too much) and like to live and let live, but it is ridiculous that other boaters are not more considerate; they can see us well in advance. I am sure they would be the first to object if they were the moored boat.

Another point - how many of these boaters understand the movement of water in relation to their boat and speed?

As approaching a boat, the water is drawn down and away from the moored boat. As you pass, the water is pushed by the bows and pulled by the movement. Once past, all this continues to affect the moored boat. This is all magnified by excessive speed and wash.

Good practice is to slow down well in advance of the moored boat and speed up well past the boat. The closer to the boat when doing this, the less disturbance, BUT it must be at tick over if at all possible.

At tick over we can still be doing in excess of 2 mph, so engage tick over well in advance, to slow down to that speed by the time we are near the moored boat. Slowing down just before a boat means that passing speed can be around the same speed as we are already doing as the momentum is still there.

We are not the only ones that find speeding boats annoying. Why do  we get thanked for slowing down by the occupants of boats as we go by, if that is not so?

Oh I know it can be "boring" when there are lines and lines of moored boats, but where is the fire? Life is too fast most of the time so why not lower blood pressure by observing the courtesy of the cut!

However there is one mitigating factor I have omitted! The wind is blowing pretty hard and maybe the steerers are frightened they will lose control.

So sorry to go on, I will stop now!  On a happier note, the sun is shining! John is cooking and I can have a relaxing evening!

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