IN RESPONSE to Maffi Oxford stating that ice does not damage blacking, (Ice and blacking), here is a picture of my bow showing the ice damage to my blacking sustained during last winter cruising through thin ice for just under two miles, writes Keith Gudgin.
It was due to me finding ice in an area where it was not expected and I could not stop due to the very poor bank. This, I think, proves that ice does damage blacking! It also proved to me that sub-zero temperatures were not needed to produce ice on the Cut.
Stay-put
Where he states: 'On the subject of travelling in high winds, often people have to do this'. I do not agree. I have never had to move in bad weather, I plan my trips. I am a continuous cruiser and stay on the Cut in all weathers and stay-put when the weather dictates I should.
Also where he states 'The old boaters never worried about high wind'. He appears to have missed the point that old boaters knew how to handle boats, and, I know they did not travel in very bad conditions, even sea-going boats stay in port in bad weather, it's just common sense.
Folly to throttle back
As for the statement 'I always advise people not to slow down lest the wind pushes them into other boats. If you are fighting the tiller in high winds its folly to throttle back, but then the "SLOW DOWN!" shouty people give you grief'. Perhaps he would be better advising people to stay where they are until it is safe and practicable to move.
Advising people to move in bad weather is, as far as I'm concerned, something a responsible boater would never do. (Even CaRT states in their Boaters manual, page 23, 'Unless your journey is really necessary, don't cruise through ice. Even thin breaking ice can puncture timber and fibreglass hulls. Thicker ice can also damage steel hulls.')
Not be moving
If you are 'fighting the tiller in high wind..', then common sense states you should not be moving. The "SLOW DOWN!" shouty people...' are quite right to complain about boats cruising past at speed or crashing into them because they 'have to move come what may'. If moving means you are risking a collision then you should not be moving at all.
It is a basic rule of boating, all boating, to avoid collisions at all costs. I will state here I am not one of the "SLOW DOWN!" shouty people... as I have seen that it does not produce the required results. CaRT's Handbook, page 38 states: 'Always slow down before passing other boats'.
Should be showing less experienced
Experienced boaters should be showing those less experienced the right way to do things. such as stay put when the weather is bad, slow down past moored boats at all times etc. Plan your trip in full, not jut tomorrows trip. I have my trip roughly planned for twelve months in advance and in detail for four months in advance so I know it can be done. Keep an eye on the weather and the weather forecasts and plan appropriately.
There is no excuse for deliberately boating in a manner that could damage other boats, banks, bridges, locks etc, and is ill mannered and anti-social, there is no excuse to do so or encourage such behaviour.