New in here and looking for advice

Windy_Stu

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Are you British? If so, have you considered the 90/180 rule for Brits being in the EU after Jan 2021?
Yep thats why the Thames for a couple of years to sort out the boat...then hopefully cross the channel and back in the 90 days... Brexit is the gift that keeps on giving :)
 

Scapegoat

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Ah so my bad.. that is exactly what I'm looking at....so they are not "wide beams" ? what make a boat a wide beam then??...I just thought something wider than 6'6 narrow boat :)..... yes defo Steel for me...I took my GRP cat though the midi and sweated every time a big metal boat joined me in the lock :cool:

OK, assuming that you are considering purchasing a steel aft cabin boat for the Thames and European waterways, these are some considerations.

Category B if you want to cross the channel - or C if you are transporting

Single engine is probably more suitable for the river as you have a protected prop

Be aware of depth and height and width (locks) restrictions for the river, bridges and locks - see River Thames: distances and measurements for boaters

River licence cost is dependent on length x beam and you’ll need a current Boat Safety Certificate

River Licence requires a base mooring - ie continuous cruising licence not available.

Some marinas do not allow residential mooring and residential moorings on the Thames are not readily available.

Bankside moorings can be shallow and many overnight moorings are time limited and levy a daily fee. In high season it can be difficult to find an overnight mooring on some stretches of the river.

Water capacity - whilst there are water points at some locks, if you want to stay put then its useful to have lots of water available. Ditto holding tank (mandatory for Thames use)

Power capacity - generator/solar & batteries

Hot water - a hydronic system or diesel boiler means you are not reliant on running the engine or generator

It's worth joining one of the Thames based cruising clubs as you'll always be able to get local advice and find like minded friends

Probably other points I’ve missed but hope these help in your decision.
 

Windy_Stu

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OK, assuming that you are considering purchasing a steel aft cabin boat for the Thames and European waterways, these are some considerations.

Category B if you want to cross the channel - or C if you are transporting

Single engine is probably more suitable for the river as you have a protected prop

Be aware of depth and height and width (locks) restrictions for the river, bridges and locks - see River Thames: distances and measurements for boaters

River licence cost is dependent on length x beam and you’ll need a current Boat Safety Certificate

River Licence requires a base mooring - ie continuous cruising licence not available.

Some marinas do not allow residential mooring and residential moorings on the Thames are not readily available.

Bankside moorings can be shallow and many overnight moorings are time limited and levy a daily fee. In high season it can be difficult to find an overnight mooring on some stretches of the river.

Water capacity - whilst there are water points at some locks, if you want to stay put then its useful to have lots of water available. Ditto holding tank (mandatory for Thames use)

Power capacity - generator/solar & batteries

Hot water - a hydronic system or diesel boiler means you are not reliant on running the engine or generator

It's worth joining one of the Thames based cruising clubs as you'll always be able to get local advice and find like minded friends

Probably other points I’ve missed but hope these help in your decision.
Thanks Scapegoat...that is very useful... especially the link....how easy is it to find emptying points for holding tanks?
 

Scapegoat

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Thanks Scapegoat...that is very useful... especially the link....how easy is it to find emptying points for holding tanks?
Most marinas have pump-outs plus the hire boat yards. There are also some EA pump out stations but they are often out of service
 

oldgit

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MATILDA has been all around UK.
Skippered by Timothy Spall
Currently moored in herwinter mooring in Ramsgate.
Powered by a very nice Perkins M135.
 

Windy_Stu

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MATILDA has been all around UK.
Skippered by Timothy Spall
Currently moored in herwinter mooring in Ramsgate.
Powered by a very nice Perkins M135.
Hi Old Git... That sounds like you do exactly what plan to do.... I was daydreaming yesterday and it looked like Ramsgate is first place to stop after St Kathrine's?.... how far is it and how long does it take...I assume Matilda is displacement 7ktish??
 

Chris_d

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Ah so my bad.. that is exactly what I'm looking at....so they are not "wide beams" ? what make a boat a wide beam then??...I just thought something wider than 6'6 narrow boat :)..... yes defo Steel for me...I took my GRP cat though the midi and sweated every time a big metal boat joined me in the lock :cool:
Glad you clarified the wide beam bit, yes the definition has changed over the years, I can remember too when it only meant a boat that couldn't fit in the narrow canal locks. But now more commonly it is a err... a wide version of a narrow boat, which is probably not what you are after.
As suggested look at the Brooms, Atlantics, large Westwoods and Dutch steel, although all the Dutch stuff is less good at sea and will roll a lot, thats if you are serious about doing coastal cruising. Almost anything can cross the channel once on a good day just to access the canals.
I'd forget Matilda, that is doing it the hard way and you will need a strong stomach at sea!
 

oldgit

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Hi Old Git... That sounds like you do exactly what plan to do.... I was daydreaming yesterday and it looked like Ramsgate is first place to stop after St Kathrine's?.... how far is it and how long does it take...I assume Matilda is displacement 7ktish??

Unless you are really really keen or have no need of sleep, would suggest that you break that journey at Queenborough.
It is approx 50 miles from St Kats or Limehouse to Queenborough and would suggest with a bit of ebb tide 7- 8 knots would about right. Around 6 hours (ish)
Queenborough to Ramsgate is about 35 miles (depending on exact route) so about 5 hours.
For those unfamiliar with coastal trips a couple of knots of tides against you and a few decent waves can add considerably to your transit times and fuel consumption.
Boating is supposed to be enjoyable not some sort elimination test for joining the SAS.:)
A little time spent planning is never ever wasted. :)

All that info came from an old ipad with Navionics total cost about £150 and all sitting on my sofa. :)
 

Windy_Stu

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Unless you are really really keen or have no need of sleep, would suggest that you break that journey at Queenborough.
It is approx 50 miles from St Kats or Limehouse to Queenborough and would suggest with a bit of ebb tide 7- 8 knots would about right. Around 6 hours (ish)
Queenborough to Ramsgate is about 35 miles (depending on exact route) so about 5 hours.
For those unfamiliar with coastal trips a couple of knots of tides against you and a few decent waves can add considerably to your transit times and fuel consumption.
Boating is supposed to be enjoyable not some sort elimination test for joining the SAS.:)
A little time spent planning is never ever wasted. :)

All that info came from an old ipad with Navionics total cost about £150 and all sitting on my sofa. :)
Thanks... as I say just day dreaming...
 

Windy_Stu

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Glad you clarified the wide beam bit, yes the definition has changed over the years, I can remember too when it only meant a boat that couldn't fit in the narrow canal locks. But now more commonly it is a err... a wide version of a narrow boat, which is probably not what you are after.
As suggested look at the Brooms, Atlantics, large Westwoods and Dutch steel, although all the Dutch stuff is less good at sea and will roll a lot, thats if you are serious about doing coastal cruising. Almost anything can cross the channel once on a good day just to access the canals.
I'd forget Matilda, that is doing it the hard way and you will need a strong stomach at sea!
Currant favorite at the moment is a De Groot..... I own a cat and have crossed several times... the cats dont role much tho :)...frankly I think Brexit may have put an end to canals for me but was toying with spending a couple of years on the Thames then maybe a slow trip down to the west country or maybe even take a truck down somewhere... nice to dream :)
 
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