River sibbing

Katie.harker · 14 June 2017, 19:48

I am trying to find some more rivers to go out on, other than the Dee.

Main problem I am coming up against is Locks. The Mr doesn't want to have to deal with them. I didn't even realise rivers had locks!

What good stretches of lockless river are there?

Fenlander · 14 June 2017, 19:49

>>>What good stretches of lockless river are there?

Without a hint of mischief my reply would be.... the sea.

Katie.harker · 14 June 2017, 19:58

*not a river*

We'd probably end up in one of those boat fail Youtube videos.

Mikefule · 14 June 2017, 20:11

Depends on the size of your boat, the weight of your engine, and whether you need to use a trailer, trolley or transom wheels. I have had many happy days out on the Trent on various stretches from about Sawley down to Newark. The Soar runs up from near Sawley into Leicestershire and is nice. If you can find somewhere to launch, the Nene is nice west of Peterborough. The Ouse is nice around Huntingdon.

Pretty much any river deeper than 18 inches will provide some good SIBbing, but the problem is finding access points. If you have a small enough engine to feel confident, you can often lower the boat to the water without needing a slipway, and fit the engine afterwards. You need to be confident and careful. If you can do this, you have far more options than if you rely on slipways. As most rivers have speed limits, it's worth having an egg whisk outboard of about 2 - 3 hp.

Many rivers have short canalised sections with a weir to maintain the water level and a lock to bypass the shallows. There are 3 ways to deal with locks:
1) Operate them. It isn't difficult, and takes 10 minutes or so. Quite exciting.
2) Piggyback through behind a cruiser (preferred option!)
3) With a smaller boat, portage past the lock.

Fenlander · 14 June 2017, 20:45

>>>*not a river*

Well fair enough but you have allowed the forum to encourage you to end up with the perfect coastal outfit!

Katie.harker · 14 June 2017, 21:55

Damn peer pressure!

There is no flex in the budget to allow for a power boat course for one, let alone both of us. I am pretty squirrely about going out on the sea.
On the other hand, we just need to make sure we pick a place and a time with calm seas, to dip our toes, so to speak.

Mike - the boat, when it arrives, will be 3.8m with a 15hp motor, will have transom wheels and won't be trailered. However, it will need a slipway and we can't pick it up out of the river to bypass the locks.

Yabadabadoo · 14 June 2017, 21:59

If you had a smaller outboard...

Yabadabadoo · 14 June 2017, 22:03

I'm based in London, 20m from my oh's flat is a canal... I've been eyeing it up, wondering if I could bypass the locks. Only one way to find out! I bought a smaller outboard (2.2 Suzuki) for pottering/aux

rossymtb · 14 June 2017, 22:06

I'm out this Sunday. Undecided were yet. Could be just the river Dee. Or could be Anglesey or shell island again.
If you fancy trying out the new outfit send me a message. Might be fun with 2 Sibs

Stigomery · 14 June 2017, 22:10

The other thing about small engines is the river license fee. Round here it's pittance for less than 4hp and will break the bank for over 4hp

Katie.harker · 14 June 2017, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossymtb

I'm out this Sunday. Undecided were yet. Could be just the river Dee. Or could be Anglesey or shell island again.
If you fancy trying out the new outfit send me a message. Might be fun with 2 Sibs

It might be worth meeting up with other for our first saltwater trip.

Can anyone point me in the direction of info/Rib.net thread about what is needed or recommended to take with you on the sea.

I don't' think the Dee has any scale with regards to HP, other than under 4hp doesn't need a reverse.
They charge an arm and a leg for everything.

rossymtb · 14 June 2017, 22:25

If you go down conwy. It's £20 a year registration and £20 per launch.

Free launch in Anglesey for under 9.9hp or £15 for over that hp.

Yabadabadoo · 14 June 2017, 22:30

A good thread on what to take on your SIB.. http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42712

What kit do you carry on your SIB?

Fishcake · 15 June 2017, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie.harker

I am trying to find some more rivers to go out on, other than the Dee.

Main problem I am coming up against is Locks. The Mr doesn't want to have to deal with them. I didn't even realise rivers had locks!

What good stretches of lockless river are there?

Have you been on the river weaver.?

Fishcake · 15 June 2017, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie.harker

I am trying to find some more rivers to go out on, other than the Dee.

Main problem I am coming up against is Locks. The Mr doesn't want to have to deal with them. I didn't even realise rivers had locks!

What good stretches of lockless river are there?

Also the Wyre estuary isn't bad