A sad reflection......

[boatone]

In another thread here a forumite said:
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We spent a very nice afternoon on Sunday at the mooring and had a great BBQ with our friends who stayed for fear of not finding a mooring elsewhere and ventured out on Monday downstream. It was much quieter on Monday.

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Isn't it sad that having spent so much on a river licence, not to mention cost of ownership, that we have to decide to stay put because we may not find somewhere else suitable to moor?

I highlight the issue because thats exactly what I find myself doing almost every weekend now - get somewhere as early as possible, grab a space and stay put.

Surely an intelligent river community can find some way of adddressing this problem?

 

[Doolittle]

As a riparian owner between Penton and Chertsey lock, I am more than happy to accommodate a boat or two over night. Anyone on the forum can PM me, email or phone, or just toot when you're outside and we'll shuffle things about so you can moor.

I bet there are other riparian owners who'll be willing to help other forumites. (Byron goes without saying!)

In fact, as Envag have all of our addresses anyway there must be a means of setting up a database of private moorings where owners will allow overnight stops for a small consideration?

 

[boatone]

A generous offer, and maybe we should look to more 'private co-operations' like this .
However, my main point is that there are so many examples of mooring opportunities being ill maintained or just plain not made available by the EA and local authorities. The EA wants to target greater use and enjoyment of the river and there is supposed to be some sort of alliance of authorities and commercial enterprises dedicated to improving facilities. Most of us have need of moorings close to shops and eateries which brings our bucks into the local community. However, there seems to be a much greater emphasis on encouraging day visitors (who pay no contribution to the EA) rather than boaters (who do).

A survey of moorings followed up by some clear strategy to revive and increase would be a good start.

 

[Gavi]

Same goes for here - we have two moorings, one capable of up to 32 ft with deep draught, the other 30ft. Just PM.

 

[byron]

I'm afraid I'm not that forthcoming with moorings. When I first moved here 20+ years ago I welcomed overnighters but had so much trouble I put a stop to it. Now I only allow Club Rallies. My only complaint about clubs is they clean up so well after them, they don't even leave me any dog-ends to roll up.

 

[Forbsie]

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My only complaint about clubs is they clean up so well after them, they don't even leave me any dog-ends to roll up.

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Great, that's your Xmas present sorted then! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[chuckaduck]

Byron does this mean me and my hells angel club can stay at yours ??

 

[byron]

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Byron does this mean me and my hells angel club can stay at yours ??

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Yes! especially if there's some Harley's I can admire.