The boat race.......

Tim M · 01 February 2004, 19:55

Does the Thames stay open during "the boat race" (Oxford/Cambridge)? I was thinking it would be fun to follow the race, especially as it's the 150th race this year. I've seen boats (including RIBs) follow in previous years, but I don't know if these are just official boats.

JCW · 01 February 2004, 20:57

I watched it last year from my Sib Picture here
However, I had to get up there before 14:00 as they close the river off between Putney and Mortlake.

We moored off the back of a small cruiser and kept a low profile. I was literally a few feet away from where the crews came out.
When the main race boats passed, I did follow the 'escort'' boats along with a few others, but was asked to turn back.

timw · 02 February 2004, 12:16

I live very close to the boat houses at Putney where the boat race starts.

This year I'm thinking seriously about putting my Ribeye on the Thames for a few weeks before moving it down to the South Coast for the Summer.

I am planning to launch it at Putney a few days before the boatrace and moor it up at a nearby pier (Hurlingham Wharf) and keep it there for a while.

On watching the race from the shore for a number of years, there are always a numerous number of private pleasurecraft following behind the umpire boats, and there don't seem to be any restrictions on following at a reasonable distance.

Another good time to be on a rib on the Thames is during the London Marathon. You can see the beggining stages down in Greenwhich, be at Tower Bridge, back down to Docklands, and watch the final stages on the embankment.

Brian · 02 February 2004, 15:27

Jason
Why are you pointing at that mans head, and what is Tony Blair doing in the middle of your picture?

JCW · 02 February 2004, 19:29

Timw,
I tried hard and failed to get any information last year on the do's and dont's for the Boat race. I can only say from my experience last year that when I began to follow the race after the umpire boats had gone through I was asked to turn back. There were other boats following, but maybe they had prior permission. I would be interested to know the official line if you get it.

Brian,
considering the postion we were in I was dissapointed we were not captured better by the BBC TV broadcast. The photo I have on my website came from a photograph I found on the internet.
If you look closely you may be able to identify the ravenspring drysuit!!

timw · 03 February 2004, 09:22

I don't think anyone would have the right to ask you to turn back if you are following the boat race at a reasonable distance. The stretch of river is closed before the boat race as there are usually a couple of minor races befor the main race, but afterwards there are no more races.
The Thames is open to all, and last year I saw all soughts of definately private boats like Bayliners and river boats following along which certainly were not connected to anything official.
You could check the Port of London Authority website or give them a call for further info.

Tim M · 03 February 2004, 10:44

I checked the on the Port of Lonon website (they normally post details of other races, closures etc. on there) but there's no mention of it. I therefore assume you can follow. Howevr, I won[t be able to; I realised just after starting this thread I have to be in the Isle of Wight for a week commencing the day before the race! I might check out the London marathon though.

timw · 03 February 2004, 12:54

let me know if you plan to get on the river for the marathon.

I would be good to have a few ribs out for that event - 28 April I think.

There's no speed limit on the Thames in the central part where the marathon is, it only goes to 8 knots west of Wandsworth Bridge.

Daniel · 03 February 2004, 13:21

28th April is a wednesday???

I'd like to join you for the Marathon... i also love the run up the thames from here, absolutly superb.

CJL · 04 February 2004, 15:19

Unfortunately the Thames has a speed limit of 6 knotts above Wandsworth Bridge which means that the WHOLE length of the boat race is limited to 6knts.

Any boat following the race would have to be doing 15+ knts and therefore would be in breach of the Thames Bylaws. (Have you seen the wake going up the banks of the Thames?)

It would be best to wait up-stream, around Kew, to see them finish at Mortlake Brewery, near Chiswick Marina.

As one of the earlier post points out you need to get there early and a good launching spot is at Isleworth Ait, near the London Apprentice Pub. I`ll be there this year so perhaps we could arrange a meet with the obligatory pint for an after action review?

CHRIS.

Tim M · 04 February 2004, 20:57

6kts?!?!?!
I was in London today - walking down the Embankment I saw this boat. It's the new boat sponcered by Tate Modern with a Dameon Hirst design on the side. It claims to be the fastest boat on the Thames. The captain seemed to be taking advantage of this when I saw it - must have been doing between 15-20kts! I think that's a £1000 fine isn't it?!

John Kennett · 05 February 2004, 08:58

Below Wandsworth bridge there is no speed limit on the Thames. The only requirement is that you don't create a dangerous wash.

You probably noticed that the hull design of this boat, like many of the newer passenger boats on the river, creates very little wake at all!

John

timw · 05 February 2004, 14:22

I'll check the London Marathon dates...it's some time in April. It might be a Sunday.

Working near the river in central london, I often see boats, many of them private including ribs, flying along, 30 knots or so, very little wake so perfectly legal