River Thames Cruising

Suzuki416 · 31 March 2004, 15:42

Guys,

Anyone got any info on what slips to use (Tidal side / West London), Car parking, areas to see / avoid?, websites to use etc, etc..

Who are the Thames 'experts'?

Is it you JK?

Pete

chrisallse · 31 March 2004, 16:25

There is a slip at putney and one at Mortlake.

Suzuki416 · 31 March 2004, 17:23

Are you talking about Putney Hard, by Chas Newens Marine.

Is it any good, have you used it, can you park there?

chrisallse · 31 March 2004, 17:41

Not launched there and parking looks bad, Mortlake looks better.

Alan · 31 March 2004, 19:03

Have launched in Docklands at Johnson drawdock and at the slip just below the Woolwich ferry. Check www.boatlaunch.co.uk for details. Also recommended that for tidal thames you check out the Port of London Authority website and their guide for Yachtsmen. In general river police are Ok - once they've seen you are not terrorists but PLA launches are quick to jump on any perceived carelessness or breaking of the regulations. So for example whilst there is no speedlimit below Wandsworth (IIRC) looning around like a nutter carving up the trip boats etc will get you pulled up. Tidal thames can be very choppy with lots of trip boat traffic. Monitor PLA Woolwich radio on Ch 14. If going through the Thames Barrier call for clearance first.

If you are in BIBOA, there is an annual Thames Cruise organised which is great fun. Launch in docklands and do London before heading down to Chatham on the Medway for overnight. Return next day.

HTH,

Alan

jools · 31 March 2004, 22:45

The RYA are arranging a Thames cruise later in the year..

If my memory is right....

I think it will be a 3 day event sometime in June

It will be on the Non-Tital Thames - you know the sort with Speed Limits

I'm hopeing to give it a go - and try to camp along the way.

When I have some more details I will post them here!

Anybody else interested - obviously suitable for all sizes of Ribs and Sibs!

Lets show those Thames cruisers the way to do it!!!!

Cheers
Jools

timw · 01 April 2004, 07:33

The slips at Putney are very large, and if you want Chas Newens marine will help with an assisted launch/recovery with their landrover for a few quid.
You can leave the trailer on the road (their are loads of rowers trailers lying about), but you will need some pound coins for the meter where you leave the car. Finding a meter nearby is usually easy (trust me I'm a local!)

Can get busy on a Saturday due to the rowers, but Ribs are often launched there, and and down river you are only a few minutes from great sights like Parliament, London Eye and Tower Bridge.

Highly recommended.

Daniel TD5 · 01 April 2004, 20:18

ERITH allso as a public slipway its off erith high street
by dartford i have used it for jet sking lots of times
its only seven foot wide on big boats

CJL · 02 April 2004, 10:28

Chas Newans charges £15 in and out.

Parking is available on the road upstream of the river where the slipway stops. It is steep. I'd recommend a 4x4 or a little boat. Failing that I`ve launched at an angle before to reduce the slope.

I`ve stopped using Chas and taken to using the public slip a Richmond. (This is one near Glovers Island down River Lane)(See pic below) Its not as steep or as busy. I can use a rope between the car a boat much easier. Only downside is you need to go through Richmond lock and if the tides out your need to know the river from Isleworth down to Putney pretty well before doing it. (Good tip is follow the tourist cruisers, they know it well)

Avoid Mortlake its a useless slip. A beach is a better description.

Word of warning though, be careful with the rowers. They do not pay attention to whats going on around them and will row into the back of you, repeatedly! (Keep a fog horn handy!)

PM me if you fancy a guided tour!

Chris

chrisallse · 02 April 2004, 19:13

Quote:

Originally posted by jools
The RYA are arranging a Thames cruise later in the year..

If my memory is right....

I think it will be a 3 day event sometime in June

It will be on the Non-Tital Thames - you know the sort with Speed Limits

I'm hopeing to give it a go - and try to camp along the way.

When I have some more details I will post them here!

Anybody else interested - obviously suitable for all sizes of Ribs and Sibs!

Lets show those Thames cruisers the way to do it!!!!

This is what you can look forward to.

Cheers
Jools

chrisallse · 04 April 2004, 09:38

A few pics of the Thames at Maidenhead.

chrisallse · 04 April 2004, 09:54

Us at Cookham

Richard B · 04 April 2004, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisallse

Us at Cookham

Have you been to a Harvester before?

chrisallse · 04 April 2004, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Have you been to a Harvester before?

Its our regular.....

Richard B · 04 April 2004, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisallse

Its our regular.....

So you didn't fall for it when the photographer said, "Back a bit... and a bit more..."

chrisallse · 04 April 2004, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

So you didn't fall for it when the photographer said, "Back a bit... and a bit more..."

You dont think i would post THAT picture do you..

actually its a lovely setting shame about the service, they always seem to have run out of food. Last time we visited they had a board up with a list of things that they had run out of....I told them it would have been easier to have said what they did have..

Pete7 · 05 April 2004, 07:43

Being adverse to paying for anything with the words "tax" or "licence" in it are there any requirements for this part of the Thames?

And are we going to have a Ribnet Thames cruise ?

Pete

gingercoastie · 05 April 2004, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

And are we going to have a Ribnet Thames cruise ?

There is a BIBOA Thames cruise

Rene · 05 April 2004, 08:49

If someone is making a Ribnet Thames Cruise, could you please make it within the same week as the 2 or 3. Ribnet meeting, so I can join you. I would love to take a spin down the Thames with someone who knows the do's and don'ts

Rene

Daniel · 05 April 2004, 13:02

I can arrange that Rene, being a local and all, i'll check my diary when i get home - what dates are you planing to be in the UK? The weekend after the RIBnet gathering i will be in the SW for Brian's BIBOA cruise, how about the weekend before (subjetc to checking diary - can't do that on this system)??