Some River Thames Questions

[Peter J]

Thinking about taking a trip on the Tidal Thames from Putney down to Westminster on Easter Sunday.

A few questions to those who have done it before, if you don't mind.

Is the water salty? i.e will I need to flush my engine afterwards? I don't fancy sticking my finger in to taste it!

Can you anchor somewhere quiet and have a picnic on your boat?

Alternatively, are there any parks where you could moor up and go ashore and have a nosh your sarnies?

Any other tips gratefully recieved...

Peter.

[CJL]

Is the water salty?
YES. ITS ESTURINE SO IT WILL BE SALTY JUST NOT AS SALTY AS THE SEA. I'D RINSE OUT AFTERWARDS.

Can you anchor somewhere quiet and have a picnic on your boat? VERY HARD TO FIND ANYWHERE F.O.C. WOULD SUGGEST DRIVING DOWN TO LIMEHOUSE BASIN (ACCESS 2HRS EITHER SIDE OF HIGH TIDE) AND LOCKING IN F.O.C. AND USING THE BARLEY MOW PUB INSTEAD.

Alternatively, are there any parks where you could moor up and go ashore and have a nosh your sarnies?
A FEW BUT THEY TEND TO BE QUITE A LONG WAY DOWN STREAM ROUND THE THAMES BARRIER/THAMES HAVEN AREA.


For more info look HERE on the previous trip we did.

Chris

[codprawn]

I thought you had a right to anchor anywhere as long as you didn't impede traffic?

And surely the water will be a lot less salty when the tide is going out?

[CJL]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I thought you had a right to anchor anywhere as long as you didn't impede traffic?

And surely the water will be a lot less salty when the tide is going out?

I think you do have a right to anchor anywhere but it tends to get quite lumpy and uncomfortable. Limehouse is a good bet, swanky flats, secure moorings, free locking in and out and a good pub nearby.

Yes it will get a lot less salty as the tide goes out but its still a little bit salty.
What tends to happen as the tide goes in is it forces the fresh to the surface and the salty goes underneath giving a "salt wedge". The salt wedge can go for quite away under the fresh water. I tend to wash out the engine whenever I'm not going to use the boat for a while rather than every trip anyway.

Chris

[timw]

Or go upstream a couple of miles from Putney to Chiswick where you can stop for lunch at Chiswick Pier.

Alternatively, there are large buoys on the stretch of river by Battersea Park that you can tie up to, and in fact there are empty buoys all along the river and no-one ever minds you tying up to them for a picnic. Much easier than anchoring.

[Alan]

Another spot to tie up is the inside of the pier by St Katherines dock & Tower Bridge. Dont tie up on the outside cos the trip boats will have your hide! You can then wander upto the Dickens Inn for a pint.

[LURCHER]

Dickens pub is disgusting not cleaned since Dickens was alive !We tucked in behind the pontoon and were fine , just ask the guy on the pontoon and give him a drink .

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by CJL

What tends to happen as the tide goes in is it forces the fresh to the surface and the salty goes underneath giving a "salt wedge".

Sounds painful...


jky

[Tim M]

John Kennet has a website all about boating on the Thames. Can anyone remember the address

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Tim M

John Kennet has a website all about boating on the Thames. Can anyone remember the address

www.thames-tideway.co.uk

It could do with updating, so any revised information or pictures would be appreciated.

John

[Peter J]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

CJL: It was reading the thread you directed me to that made me want to embark on the trip.

JK: The tides link on your site wouldn't work for me.

One last question. I planned on launching about 11:30 but that is just about bang on low water - will that be a problem? I've got a Land Cruiser.

Peter.

[CJL]

Originally Posted by Peter J

One last question. I planned on launching about 11:30 but that is just about bang on low water - will that be a problem? I've got a Land Cruiser.

No problem!

Chris