Newbie help needed!

[George1987]

Hi there,I'm a total newbie and first of all thanks for having me on the forum.
I'm in need for some advice,I've just recently brought a wetline 260 echo 2.4 dinghy and a honda 5hp outboard for days out with the mrs and kids,I live in Heathrow area and was thinking of places I could go just for pleasure boating,I'm thinking of the Thames at laleham near Staines but I had no idea about needing licenses or insurance,I've asked a few questions and basically got told I need a license if I travel through the locks?is this correct?I have no please of going through the locks just up and down the stretch by laleham and down ferry lane in shepperton,do I actually need a license and insurance for this?if so I have no idea where to get them I looked online but it's too confusing for me,any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

[John Kennett]

You need a licence even if you’re not going through locks, but that’s where they tend to be checked so you might get away with not having one. I don’t think it would be massively expensive though.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...lication-forms

[George1987]

Thanks for the reply,I dont understand what form I would need to fill out on that site,

[AdamB1]

If you have no other electrical equipment on board (e.g. electric tilt) you may not need a Boat Safety Certificate and a licence would be enough. But in any case you don’t need a licence, you can just pay for a daily or weekly visitor pass at the first lock you come to. It depends how much you’ll use it.

There is plenty of information about it on the Environment Agency website but they don’t make it easy to comprehend.

[George1987]

Yes it's very confusing,I have no idea where to start for applying .

[AdamB1]

From everything I have read, I wouldn’t apply in advance. Just register as a visitor at the first lock you come to and be ready to pay the daily fee.
However, make sure your boat is compliant with everything on the Visitor Registration form on the EA website, including having the (unique) name displayed in 2” letters on each side of the bow and on the stern.

I am in a similar position, same stretch of water, but with a 4.5m rib with electrics on board and therefore more BSS requirements to meet. I am new to it and I have only spent 20 mins on the water by Penton Hook before my engine conked out! But my plan is just to pay for daily visitor passes at the lock. I’ll let you know how it goes

[George1987]

Do you need insurance and have it to prove to do a visitor's day?also where do you get insurance quotes from?I've got the annual application forms but there asking for insurance information and bss informationwhich I dont have any certificates for my blow up dinghy,they said over the phone you dont need to display anything at this time due to the covid,just have your licence email to hand if you get stopped.

[ballsy]

Insurance a must, but fairly cheap (Boat Insure is worth looking at) and then you can get a day ticket for anything upstream of Teddington Lock which is pretty cheap, or get week/season ticket.
Check out boatlaunch.uk for details of slips to use
Then enjoy!!!!!

[Mikefule]

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...iting-launches

[George1987]

Originally Posted by ballsy

Insurance a must, but fairly cheap (Boat Insure is worth looking at) and then you can get a day ticket for anything upstream of Teddington Lock which is pretty cheap, or get week/season ticket.
Check out boatlaunch.uk for details of slips to use
Then enjoy!!!!!

Where can I look for boat insurance?

[George1987]

Guys,I'm looking at insurances is a 2.6m wetline 260 echo dinghy and 5hp outboard classed as a rib?

[George1987]

I've been told british canoeing covers insurances for 45 a year,how true is this?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by George1987

I've been told british canoeing covers insurances for 45 a year,how true is this?

I’d be surprised if BC provide insurance for motorised vessels but don’t know for sure. I also presume BC’s cover is third party only (damage you do to others but not if you sink, your engine hits a submerged object and needs a new leg or it gets nicked). For the same sort of price you should be able to get a proper policy covering all that.

Originally Posted by George1987

Guys,I'm looking at insurances is a 2.6m wetline 260 echo dinghy and 5hp outboard classed as a rib?

Use an insurer who knows what an “inflatable boat” is should be cheaper than a rib.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by George1987

I've been told british canoeing covers insurances for 45 a year,how true is this?

try craft insure you get a quote on line

[George1987]

What insurance type do I click,motorboat non tidal?rib?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by George1987

What insurance type do I click,motorboat non tidal?rib?

small motorboat from memory

[George1987]

Thanks everyone I'm fully insured with craftinsure comprehensive for a year 48 pound and just paid 12.80 for a visitors day pass for today!