Thames Tue

stedj · 06 September 2005, 20:23

Hi Im Planning A Trip Up The Thames On Tuesday The 13th Sept Anyone Got Advice On Where And When To Launch ,car And Trailer Parking ,what There Is To Look Out For And Anybody Is Welcome To Join Me If They Want. Any Advice Welcome Thanks Steven.

John Kennett · 06 September 2005, 20:32

There's some info here: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8971

John

Richard B · 06 September 2005, 22:16

Good FAQ John!

Steve, which stretch of the Thames are you interested in, approximately? Oxford, Reading, Windsor or London area?

stedj · 06 September 2005, 22:52

Any Prefarably Putney To The Barrier But Open To Sugesions

Richard B · 06 September 2005, 22:54

That's probably most fun for a RIB.

Haven't ever take ours down there! Have a great time.

timw · 06 September 2005, 23:29

Putney is best.

Chas Newens Marine based there can help you launch and recover for a few quid.

Dump the trailer on the road amongst all the Rowing boat trailers, you won't get a ticket (unless Eupa is about!)

Feed the meter for the car, you should get easily enough time to do the barrier and back.

As you go down stream after Putney Bridge and before Wandsworth Bridge, you will see a jetty on the North Bank with various boats on it. That's where I keep my Rib, grey and blue. I might be there on Tuesday, if I am, pull over and I could join you for a bit of the run down there.

Beware there is no petrol only diesel available from the fuelling barges.

...Richard, it's about time you did the Thames.

Richard B · 07 September 2005, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

...Richard, it's about time you did the Thames.

I don't suppose the visits to the Tattershall Castle count, do they?

timw · 07 September 2005, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

I don't suppose the visits to the Tattershall Castle count, do they?

Well done time you're beering it up there, let me know and I can pick you up off Savoy Pier next door.

stedj · 07 September 2005, 10:38

timw wat about tides >laurching time and do u have dirctions for the marina . come on richard the more the merrier

timw · 07 September 2005, 11:01

Check out the tides from Easytides. Use Hammersmith or Albert Bridge as reference points.

Launching at Putney quite easy at any tide, however if it's low you'd be better off with a 4X4 as the concrete slip way turns to gravel. Again, Chas Newens Marine will be happy to launch and recover you if you pay em.

To get to Putney by road, I can't help as don't know where you're coming from, but once there you turn down a small road just West of Putney Bridge, by a restaurant called Thai Square. Carry along down the this road and the first slip you get to is outside Chas Newens Marine, and then there's a larger slip 100 yards further on outside the boathouses. This is where most people launch.

Once out on the river, a very important thing to take with you is a bread knife with rope attached to the handle. This is because at some states of tides there is quite a bit of debris in the water and you might need to cut a bag or bit of rope off the prop. Never happened to me but wise precaution in these waters.

Go slow at Putney (the rowers get angry) but as soon as you get to Wandsworth Bridge half mile down stream you can really open up as no speed limit from there to the open sea.

Expect to be stopped by River Police who check all unknown boats on the river...usually they're friendly and only delay you for a few minutes.

If you're going up to the Barrier a good place to stop for lunch is Greenwhich Yacht club, downstream of Cutty Sark, nice new clubhouse built out on stilts, with all tide moorings. Call them first as a visiting yachtsman.

Thames can seem be quite daunting with lots of river traffic and quite fast flowing Tides at times, but you be used to it after a little while out there and it's very rewarding.

Carefull of shallow water near some of the banks at low tide

stedj · 07 September 2005, 12:54

tim @ john thanks most helpfull. high tide is at 9 45 am, so looks like a 250m drive down ,12am <4am ,sleep. launch 8am putney ; down to the barrier .stop greenwitch 4 lunch' cruise back , out and home

timw · 07 September 2005, 14:08

Have fun...you really don't need to worry much about Tides...always plenty of water there and back

stedj · 07 September 2005, 15:51

wat time would u recomend getting out low tide is 4 30 pm 1 meter cheers

Graham H · 07 September 2005, 19:02

Flippin eck Ste. I didint think you were going to do it so soon . Good luck

stedj · 07 September 2005, 19:54

Iom Next

timw · 07 September 2005, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by stedj

wat time would u recomend getting out low tide is 4 30 pm 1 meter cheers

It really shouldn't matter what the tide is, depending on what car you have.

I've recovered with a Discovery at the lowest tides.

If you have a regular car then I'd personally prefer to recover when the water's lapping the concrete. In any event, you can always ask Chas Newens Marine to recover for you with their Landrover if you prefer.

Chas Newens are the real experts on these slipways. I suggest you give them a call and ask their advice, or find out what they charge to do it all for you for total piece of mind:

Their number is 020 878 8457

web site is www.chastheboat.co.uk

Hope this helps

stedj · 08 September 2005, 10:02

cheers tim call them very helpfull giving us parking and will recover us at low tide stedj

timw · 08 September 2005, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by stedj

cheers tim call them very helpfull giving us parking and will recover us at low tide stedj

Thye're nice people...a little expensive, but that's London for you.

stedj · 08 September 2005, 11:11

parkings free £12 to recover cheeper than liverpool

timw · 14 September 2005, 21:41

stedj...What happened?....everything go OK???