River / Lake / Northampton

[onlyonestone]

So I've recently brought a SIB and undertook the PB2 which was great. Times running out for me to get out to sea this year due to various work and family commitments on the run up to Christmas. Therefore I'm looking for somewhere closer to home to get out and put everything I learnt into practice.

If anyone knows anywhere I can get out on the water in Northamptonshire or anywhere near enough please let me know.

The local lakes want membership of a few hundred pounds per year for waterski use which is ridiculous as I only want a quick go on the water.

I'm unsure re what I would need to do to get out on the river Nene.

Cheers, Stoney

[vjmehra]

I'm not from the area, but I head over to Daventry every few months and there is a reservoir in Daventty Country Park with sailing dinghys and a clubhouse, so presumably you might be able to go out there (I think thats right, if not it must be Drayton Reservoir).

[jbavvo]

I live in Peterborough and have struggled finding somewhere to go out. I gave up on lakes! The Nene is expensive for registration fees if you've got anything bigger than a 4hp outboard (about £250 for up to 4m per annum) although you can get day permits for £7.50 if you register and provide a copy of insurance. All info is on environment agency website.

I do plenty of kayaking on the Nene and I've never been stopped, or seen anyone get stopped, however.

My best recommendation would be the Middle Level the otherside of Peterborough near Whittlesy. There's no registration or fees, plenty of miles to explore, with only a few locks. Restricted speed limits at like 5mph take the fun out of it though. There's only a few slip roads and you need a key for most which can buy for a couple of quid.

Would be interested to hear of any other places to go...

[Johnscubanut]

Try Willen Lake, Milton Keynes. I know they have water skiing & run RYA powerboat courses there, (I've taught a couple of courses on it) They may allow you to use it, but you will have to show boat insurance (3rd party) or maybe Wyboston Lake, just south of St. Neots on the A1, Good luck!

[jezza2011]

Hi I have tried all these and got a unresounding NO to every one.

so opted for portsmouth. :-)
quick run down the a34.

chug up the river or blast out to the IOW

[onlyonestone]

Cheers Jezza, out of interest where do you launch from out of Portsmouth?

[bingosucks]

you can`t use reservoirs as they are a source of water...tis pretty hard to get afloat .i go stratford for a chug you could maybe combine it with some sightseeing

[jezza2011]

I go out of camber dock.
Nice parking, easy slip way some say its quite steep but its not too bac fairly step but not scary.
parkings abut £5 ish depending on how lang you want and the slip has a gate thats arround 2.50 so take lots of change :-)

If your going down let me know.

[volvoxc70]

Hi i live in kettering not far from you and i always go to calshot spit car park calshot, directions are in the good launch guide book.Parking next to slip i launch a 3m zodiac there with a 15hp but do check the weather beforehand I have had the river licence for the nene with 4hp max engine but it gets a bit boring