Thames

[Steve Care]

Where is a good place to launch from the essex side for a trip up the thames some where that it wont take forever to get into london.

[Alan]

Steve,

Theres nowhere really in the Estuary apart from Two Tree Island at Canvey. Very long and shallow gradient slip so needs 4x4 and / or long piece of rope!
Otherwise look on www.boatlaunch.co.uk and try Johnson drawdock next to Poplar rowing club on the Isle of Dogs. Suitable about 2 hrs either side of HT, longer if you have 4x4. Does involve towing boat into london though.

HTH,
Alan

[Bern Hanreck]

Another possible alternative is Bargehouse Causeway at Woolwich ,but again a 4X4 essential , and personally . I would not try anything over 5M other than at High Tide ( Slack Water ). At low tide , slip is very shallow and ends vertically ! There is Gallions Point Marina a few hundred metres downstream , so if there are at least two of you it's a possibility. ( also suggest that you dont leave car and trailer there - Access to Marina just round corner ).

[Steve Care]

If you launch near canvey how long does it take to get to london bridge?

[Alan]

About 2 hrs at speed

[timw]

...but don't stop there....it's only another 15 - 20 minutes to start of speed limit at Wandsworth Bridge and you pass many great sites on the way.

Then only another 20 minutes at 8 knots to the tranquility of Chiswick and if you keep going Richmond. Why not enter the Grand Union Canal at Isleworth and and you can go all over the country!