2.5hp on the river Arun?

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ricky_s

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I am missing having a boat but still have a 2.7m inflatable with a 2.5hp four stroke.

I am thinking of taking swmbo and two of our kids along the Arun from Arundel and up a bit on Thursday this coming week.

I know it is gong to be around springs and I'm not sure how it will perform against the fast current.

Had a good search on here but can't find anyone who's done the same.


Am I taking a bit of a risk? Will have life jackets etc.
 
Sounds well overloaded so to speak for the power of the engine. Against the current you will be lucky to move. Even with the current it will be slow at best.
 
Last time I tried something like that with a small tender up the Conway we had to abandon the trip after being partially swamped by wash from a MoBo who didn't think he would be a problem (& no, it wasn't Volvo Paul). But we were travelling with the tide rather than against a river current.

Be prepared for wet bums anyway! :D
 
google littlehampton harbour authority for advice on navigating Arun--best to go up on top of the rising tide and back as soons as tide turns----lovely trip----i went up from littlehampton to pulborough----regards lenten---ps regarding searushs worry about swamping ----didn t see another boat all trip ---only a bull stuck in the river---had to phone the fire brigade and help herd him into a shallow part to get rescued---so watch for horns with an inflatable might be better advice
 
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Upstream of Arundel Bridge used to be very quiet and rather pretty, at Pulborough you can sit on the bank at HW and actually SEE the flow reverse when the tide turns. It's a lovely run with the tides right.

So with your baby engine you can go up nice and safe and make good progress on the flood tide and if you can choose a time to set off back with the ebb just starting you'll have no problems getting back down to Arundel.

Your problems will come at Arundel Bridge because with the restriction caused by the last section narrowing up to the bridge any current speed increases, and at the bridge dramatically so, but if you intend to turn around and come in about a 100yds or more BEFORE the bridge you'll make it safely.

Otherwise you'll have to shoot the bridge if you lose it and your chances of stemming the flow to get back under with 2.5hp are very slim indeed.

Best you can hope for is come alongside somewhere where the river widens a bit and hope you can stem the current enough to tie up and get the folks off safely but there are few places where you can do that safely or easily. I advise staying at least 200m upstream of the bridge for safety, the river is a lot better behaved for an under-powered small craft.

And unless you've got a lot more horse power do NOT even THINK about a lovely run down to Littlehampton because you will simply go where the river takes you and you will all be at risk.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far, my head was telling me not to do the trip, especially with it being springs when we do.

I've only used the tender/engine once and that was just pottering around Chichester marina with the SWMBO just after buying it there.

Did seem to go well with just SWMBO and me but didn't fully open it up in there.
 
ricky_s said:
Thanks for the feedback so far, my head was telling me not to do the trip, especially with it being springs when we do.

I've only used the tender/engine once and that was just pottering around Chichester marina with the SWMBO just after buying it there.

Did seem to go well with just SWMBO and me but didn't fully open it up in there.
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Start early go up the river with the tide (HW 1233) Come back on the ebb or when you cease making much progress up river. About 5 miles to Amberly. Perhaps a bit ambitious given your past experience with it

Another 6 and a bit to Pulborough !
 
With the tide yes, against it no.

There are many boats, canoes kayak and bath tubs that use the river, but the tide is very powerful, you can go up river past arundel and head up to pulborough, it gets down to about 2 ft in places as you work your way up, if you know where your going there are some rivers you can go up a short way.

As you past the Marina big black boat 2 black ariels outside pontoon last boat, that's me. Check starboard side is clean but don't get too close.

Can launch free down by lifeboat station.

Black rabbit for lunch is very good, Marina for breakfast.
 
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