A trip up the Thames

[Jon H]

I am keen to take a trip up the Thames in the summer

I want to do the tourist thing, go under tower bridge etc.

So I am after as many hints and tips and you can provide me with

The start point being, where is a good place to launch my boat into the Thames ?

[Bern Hanreck]

a lot will depend on how much time you want to spend on the river .

You will find a lot of folk like to slip in around Putney . A short cruise at 8 knots will get you to Wandsworth Bridge where you can open her up , subject to not upsetting house boats , passing canal boats , rowers , harbour masters & river police ! Remember that the Thames has tides of over 20 feet , and accompanying fast tidal streams . It can get busy around the Pool of London & watch out for fast rib rides from the London Eye to Greenwich .

A search will also throw up a few mooring possibilities such as St.Katherines Dock , or Limehouse ( or moor up to rubbish barge for sarnies & cuppa ).

Remember that upstream you can do the slow cruise to Teddington via Richmond , and downstream you could blast to " Sarfend " and the Medway .

There are a lot of truly spectacular " tourist sights " so pick a nice day and don't forget the camera.......

[Neil Harvey]

What Bern said

It's a fantastic day out, do it whilst you can. If possible, go with at least one other boat, much less worry that way and someone around if something goes wrong. Not a nice place to be bobbing around with engine troubles.

[geoff]

Putney is good but can be very crowded at the weekend in the summer.
You can also try
http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/default....redfilterid=10
or
http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/default....redfilterid=10
for launching in the docklands area.

[Tim M]

I've used the second one and as it says not for the faint hearted! My Discovery very nearly got stuck pulling the boat out at low tide. I wouldn't have risked it, but we had another Disco with us which we nearly had to use. Apart from that its in a good location for seeing the sights. The pain with Putney is the slow bit at the start although its a good slip, and if you get stuck (which I did in a Focus) the nice chappies at Chas Newens will give you a hand with their 110 if you ask nicely. Likewise I think they will launch and recover you for £10.

[Bern Hanreck]

Bargehouse Causeway at Woolwich ( on North Side )

but a 4X4 is a must really ! And slack high tides makes for a long day out in Summer , or berth overnight in Gallions Point Marina nearby ?

Also forget to mention , stay on south side of river opposite Parliament and in this same vicinity watchout for the " Duck " . ( Yellow amphibious passenger vehicle like a small coach with very low freeboard ! )

[Observer]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I've used the second one and as it says not for the faint hearted! My Discovery very nearly got stuck pulling the boat out at low tide. I wouldn't have risked it, but we had another Disco with us which we nearly had to use. Apart from that its in a good location for seeing the sights. The pain with Putney is the slow bit at the start although its a good slip, and if you get stuck (which I did in a Focus) the nice chappies at Chas Newens will give you a hand with their 110 if you ask nicely. Likewise I think they will launch and recover you for £10.

Tim,

Ref. Chas Newens charge for launch and recovery, is that a trade rate or 'mates rates' deal. I called them and they quoted £15 launch or recover or £25 for both. Am I being taken for a mug?

[Neil Harvey]

Originally Posted by Observer

Am I being taken for a mug?

if you accept it maybe... it's what they quoted when I asked a couple of years ago... maybe you can get a deal if a few boats are going?
it's the same i was quoted by a south coast marina for launch and recover - just by way of a guide

[Tim M]

It was about three years ago I last launched there. That price could have been each way I suppose. The price above does seem to be the going rate though. This company, who I used to use a lot when I lived in Norfolk charge £20 to launch you on the beach with their tractor:

http://www.beachrockleisure.com/content/view/10/9/

[BarneyUK]

I am currently looking at buying my first rib so if you decide to venture down to Putney i would be more than happy to accompany you on a trip down the Thames. I live in Wandsworth, only 10 mins away from the slipway in Putney.

Look forward to hearing from you
Barney