Non BIBOA Thames Cruise

gingercoastie · 29 May 2004, 21:02

Due to the amount of driving required and the short amount of time available during a short weekend I have decided not to join the BIBOA Thames cruise, but to travel down during the School Summer holiday, when I can do it at a moor leisurly pace.

I plan to launch outside of London if possible, therefore avoiding any tricky driving and travel into the city by boat.

Anybody fancy joining me?

Daniel · 29 May 2004, 21:12

No prommises but i'll try. If you want a long trip on the water you are welcome to leave a car or something at my house and i'll help you launch at Margate (circa 35nm to Canvy Island) weather i join you or not.

gingercoastie · 29 May 2004, 21:15

Daniel,

Thanks for the offer. We have no firm plans as yet, and not to sure of the geography. I was looking at the water map thismorning at work, but being a bank holiday lots of people needed my attention

, maybe I will get more of a chance tomorrow.

Daniel TD5 · 29 May 2004, 21:23

just have a chat with the sub <5m club we would be pleased to help and if poss join you we have just been up the thames and found it a great day out

Daniel · 29 May 2004, 21:28

You'll have to apply in writing to the committee of the 6m+ club for permission to attend.

Bilge Rat · 29 May 2004, 21:48

Guys

Just want to dispell any rumours that seem to be flying about with regard to the sub 5 metre gang....... we dont discriminate against anyone, we wont charge you to come cruising with us and we wont race off and leave you to find your own way to where ever it is we are going.

You do however need your own insurance, and to bring your own beer, food and women.
In essence anyone's welcome big or small

Andy Beach · 30 May 2004, 07:58

Hi all,

As a newbie to the forum I'd be interested in joining the Non-BIBOA Thames Cruise as a more gentle introduction to RIBnet cruising than some of the offshore adventures being reported.

Thanks

Andy Beach

Daniel TD5 · 30 May 2004, 10:01

well said mr bilge rat

Rich L · 30 May 2004, 12:54

I'm up for a Thames cruise too. I can bring beer, food and four women (most under 14).

Rich L

gingercoastie · 30 May 2004, 13:17

I will be bringing 1 woman 2 boys but no beer I'm afraid.

timw · 31 May 2004, 19:10

I'd certainly be interested in tagging along

brucehawsker · 31 May 2004, 21:37

perhaps two of us would love to come along but our bigger boat won't be ready....

gingercoastie · 02 June 2004, 17:55

Spent the day checking out slipways and marinas in and around the Thames (using boatlanch and marina guide)

Seems a good plan would be identical (roughly) to the BIBOA cruise.

Launching at Poplar Dock Marina and then explore the Thames, stopping at a marina somewhere near the coast overnight, and then back up to Poplar at the end of the second day.

May possibly then drive down to the southcoast solent area for a couple of days.

the 6th August is a tentative date to start working with.

See you there / then.

Alan · 02 June 2004, 18:05

For launching at Poplar dock BIBOA has a special deal with British Waterways & the Docklands Scout project to cover costs of using the Scout slip, locking in and out of the Thames and secure trailer storage. This is £40 per boat for the dozen or so RIBS that usually attend.

If you launch at Poplar Dock itself, the slip is free but in the middle of a housing development with tight access. There is NO trailer parking nearby. Also for the last couple of years we have had to have a British Waterways escort through canary wharf, incl Bridge opening to the lock.

Suggest you contact BW Docklands for more info prior to turning up!

The bugger of London Cruising is finding a good launch site either in the city or downriver that facilitates a day or weekend cruise. There is nowhere in Essex with enough tidal window. Dunno about Kent. You might try find a slip on the medway and go upto St Kats for an overnight. (But then you have expensive hotels!)

HTH,
Alan

gingercoastie · 02 June 2004, 18:34

Thanks Alan,

More investigation required then.

Daniel TD5 · 02 June 2004, 19:20

alan

its getting a very costy trip if the BIBOA members have to pay £40 pounds
for use for the slip and locks + the member ship for the year

or would your member ship cover the special deal

gingercoastie

just through the blackwall tunnel is a lorry park which is covered 24 hours
and is open for night storage i will ask for you allso a wellcome inn just down the road you could then use poplar rowing club slip for free and return each night
or TIMW as a berth near greenwich i think its called south dock marina cost are high but the boat could stay in the water loads of marinas down towards the medway cheap as chips with lots of b&b around

dan

Alan · 02 June 2004, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

alan

its getting a very costy trip if the BIBOA members have to pay £40 pounds
for use for the slip and locks + the member ship for the year

or would your member ship cover the special deal

dan

Dan,

If you joined just for this trip then yes it is! In my experience this is the most expensive BIBOA cruise and its purely driven by the costs imposed from BW & the contribution to the Scouts. As I've said before, yer pays yer money and makes yer choice!

Your idea for Ginger sounds good. As you say, much better value accomodation in the Medway area than London!

Cheers, Alan

Daniel TD5 · 02 June 2004, 20:35

alan
as you say
yer pays yer money and makes yer choice!

but it seem unfair to have BOBIA that will only cater for the elite and the larger boats leaving us poor sods with nothing

thank god for rib net which is full of like minded very helpfull people
who managed to steer me in the right direction when i was looking for my rib
and each member finds the time to check out every think required for a weekend cruising with them for free

dan

Richard B · 02 June 2004, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

it seem unfair to have BOBIA that will only cater for the elite and the larger boats leaving us poor sods with nothing

Dan, I don't think that's a fair appraisal of the BIBOA philosophy. You really ought to join and experience the bonhomie and camaraderie before knocking it. I joined in July '02 before I had any RIB at all, and was given the opportunity to go across the channel and try three different RIBs between 6.5 and 9m. Not one single skipper asked me for any contribution towards costs, even when offered. I formed many lasting friendships and got completely plastered in great company. This year I haven't been on any BIBOA cruises, but through being a member I have saved more than the membership fee on assistance and professional help from BIBOA members.

Many BIBOA cruises have included RIBs from 4.5m upwards, although it is generally a club for long distance cruising and racing. However, the membership can easily change this by organising cruises suitable for smaller boats. It only happens if you make it happen.

Anything that encourages people to cruise safely in company, whether through an organisation like BIBOA or RIBnet has to be good - remember that not everyone is internet savvy.

John Kennett · 02 June 2004, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

but it seem unfair to have BOBIA that will only cater for the elite and the larger boats leaving us poor sods with nothing

Like most clubs BIBOA is run by its members, for its members. I don't think that it caters for the "elite" but by its nature it may attract owners of larger RIBs who then plan events for larger RIBs.

Quote:

thank god for rib net which is full of like minded very helpfull people
who managed to steer me in the right direction when i was looking for my rib
and each member finds the time to check out every think required for a weekend cruising with them for free

The internet certainly makes communications easier and allows groups to arrange cruises easily. I reckon that RIBnet membership has got to be worth at least as much as BIBOA membership though

John