Just ordered one. I think the kids would enjoy it. What rope did you use, I've just ordered nylon rope...
Not nylon It`ll be too thin - especially when the weather improves . Straight hemp everytime - as recommended by the manufacturer ...
I went to go outdoors and bought 6mm rope....it's about 60p a metre and I bought 7.....I should have bought 10metres though! I also used some good gaffer tape around the knot (a re-roved figure of eight) and some threadlock on the eye bolt.
I'm going to try another couple of locks tomorrow...my mate reckons there's a Raleigh bomber in one of em! :0) I'm getting the knack now....you have to 'bounce' it across the bottom. You sort of keep the tension on the rope, and you can feel when something jumps on. I found it easier to close my eyes and feel it, rather than watch the water surface....until I noticed the big things for tying boats off to, sticking up. I kept em open then, rather than end up in the oggin
Sounds like river fishing, with a barrel weight on the line, letting the weight roll across the bottom and feel when a fish takes the bait. You are having fun, that's what its all about, be safe and not fall in the water. ps. shame they had blown that safe, who knows it may have had money or valuables in it and got nicked then bashed open. We will never know and I wouldn't be taking it the local Police.
A quick go at a different lock today with my son....we were meant to only be an hour, but that turned into 3! We only stopped when our fingers were numb :0) Two nice windlasses, half a bike rack and three massive lumps of steel.....I though there was a whole narrow boat down there in bits! It's soooo addictive! The worst bit is when you latch onto something, but can't quite get it.....it physically hurts me to leave it there!!
Yep, rubber gloves and some antibac wipes ....locks are pretty clean compared to the canal though, not as much stinking crud.