Thames trip

[drivinggod09]

Hi all im thinking of going along the thames in aug sometime , got a mate who lives in luton so will be stopping there then head into london. Ive had a look on boatlaunch at various slips. Have any members got any advice on good ones iv got a rwd merc so limited with where to go id like to get in where there is no speed limit richmond bridge ? and then take a trip into the centre is there any places to moore and go for a pint ? ive been told i can pay the warden on the day for the licence is this correct ? thanks for the help
rob

[CJL]

Speed limit runs from Wandsworth Bridge and an advisory 12knot limit below this.

I would suggest you have a look at this video YouTube - ‪NERvideo's Channel‬‏

Slipway at Putney probably too steep for you so have a look at River Lane nr Petersham or The Ship slipway in Chiswick, all on Boatlaunch.

No licence required for the tideway only above Teddington Lock

Chris

[marinesafety]

I wouldn't tackle the Ship slip without a 4x4. Been there, done that, got stuck!

[Vandad]

As Chris said, Putney is a good slipway but it is a bit tricky if you don't have 4x4. I have seen a lot of RWD cars launching/recovering but it all depends on how dry the surface is, tide level, and how heavy your RIB is.

If you go to River lane, you need to either go through Richmond lock (cost £5) or wait until +-2hrs either side of high tide at Richmond when the wier is open.

Speed Limit, From Teddington to Wandsworth Bridge 8knots (AND even less as there are many rowing boats there) and after that you will be OK! Be very careful there as sometimes children are playing/swimming in the water especially near Teddington.

Also, there is No fuel on Tidal Thames, the nearest Petrol Station to the river is in fact in Putney. You can tie the boat there and pop to the petrol station. It is just next to Putney slipway. There is a marine chandlery there too.

The only place I can suggest in Central London to stop is either in Greenwich Yacht Club, or Chelsea Marina (the new Marina by the river). If you are with family, I suggest you go to Teddington where there is a Restaurant where you can moore the boat and have a nice lunch.

Between Victoria Bridge and Tower Bridge the river gets very busy, and even if you moore the boat the wash created by other ferries and boats makes it impossible to leave the rib and go for a drink.

Get in touch with me if you need more info!

[CJL]

Originally Posted by marinesafety

I wouldn't tackle the Ship slip without a 4x4. Been there, done that, got stuck!

Obviously down to the driver I would say!

What was the tide like when you were last there?

Chris

[drivinggod09]

Thanks for the tips River lane looks ideal for me , its a zodiac pro 7 not that much weight to it , il be going during the week on monday 29th august. Am i right in reading there is no speed limit above wandsworth bridge ? going into the centre
and advisory 12 knots below it going past river lane up to teddington ?

[Vandad]

Originally Posted by drivinggod09

Thanks for the tips River lane looks ideal for me , its a zodiac pro 7 not that much weight to it , il be going during the week on monday 29th august. Am i right in reading there is no speed limit above wandsworth bridge ? going into the centre
and advisory 12 knots below it going past river lane up to teddington ?

No!

Between Teddington and Wandsworth Bridge the speed limit is 8 knots! and it is mandatory!

From Wandsworth Bridge towards Centre it is 12knots Advisory.

Also, you should contact London VTS on Channel 14 VHF if you plan to pass Thames Barrier. Contact them once you have passed Millennium Dome and they will tell you what span to take. It is usually between two green arrows.

And again when you want to return back towards Teddington (assuming you are behind Thames Barrier now) you should contact them again and they will give you a span.

With a rib, and sufficient fuel, it would be a shame not to visit Thames Barriers.

[CJL]

Originally Posted by drivinggod09

Thanks for the tips River lane looks ideal for me , its a zodiac pro 7 not that much weight to it , il be going during the week on monday 29th august. Am i right in reading there is no speed limit above wandsworth bridge ? going into the centre
and advisory 12 knots below it going past river lane up to teddington ?

Er check your geography!

Wandsworth Bridge is west of Central London and there is an 8knot speed limit upstream (aka further west and away from Central London) of this.

Heading downstream (aka east and towards Central London) there still is a speed limit of 12knots and it gets very busy.

Chris

[John Kennett]

I would give Chas Newens at Putney a call. I think they'll launch you for a reasonable fee. This would get you in at a relatively convenient place with minimal hassle. Petersham is really further up than you want to be.

As others have said, places to stop in mid-London are limited. You may be able to stop for a while at St Katherine Dock or Limehouse without locking in so it might be worth talking to them as well.

[marinesafety]

Originally Posted by CJL

Obviously down to the driver I would say!

What was the tide like when you were last there?

Chris

Very valid point! Be careful where you park near the river. At high tide lots of seemingly good places to park flood! This is the only time I've not had to move the car from the parking space to recover a RIB (first time I've ever driven a RIB onto a trailer on a public road too in fact!)