A visitors view of the Thames

[landlockedpirate]

I have only visited the Thames a couple of times on my own boat, the last visit was nearly 9 years ago, so I thought it was about time I went back.

We launched from Benson, excellent slipway, easy car and trailer parking and friendly staff. We spent the first night on the reach above the Shillingford Bridge hotel, we didnt see another boat for about 12hrs !

The river is a lot quieter than I remember, but there are far more narrowboats. We had a great trip, with the Kids really enjoying the park in Abingdon. We travelled upto Oxford and moored there for a couple of nights.

 

[Ramage]

Nice pics, and great to see the smiles on the face of the kids!

 

[Gin]

Did you happen to see our two club boats, a Contessa 26 , Dulali and a Telstar trimaran , Chica(yes masts down!) which made their way from Chatham last Friday week and were moored at Shillingford on Thursday night , where we had a most acceptable meal at the hotel. Then on to Iffley lock, where because we were (incorrectly) informed that there were no vacant moorings at East Street, we left the Contessa and took the tri. to make connection with the railway station, to drop off my son and I who had joined the journey from Reading, for a couple of days.

The Environment Agency literature reckons that 1.2m draught vessels can make it to Oxford but there is a worry that although the river was allegedly several inches higher than normal, the Contessa bumped across the bottom on a section below Davey Lock and went aground on the bend by the boatyard at Abingdon- there is a warning to stay towards the starboard side but also a SHB to keep one over towards the port side!, the channel appears very narrow there as on one side of us the depth sounder showed 0.6m, whilst on the other, 1.6m.

If the river level falls over the weekend there are concerns about being able to pass back down the river

 

[landlockedpirate]

Sorry didnt see you,the photo was taken as we passed the Hotel on Thursday evening. We stayed there for a long weekend last year and also thought the food was excellent and decent value.

I hit the bottom a couple of times, I've attached a before and after pictures of my home made prototype rudder system (made from bits of scrap the night before the trip), I draw 1m with it attached I think it must have been less than that in parts !!

 

[heron]

Saw Chica earlier on today.

Interesting rudder system you have, I`'ve thought about somthing similar on mine. How did you find it with the rudder , presume it makes a big difference to steering.

 

[Gin]

The Contessa draws 1.2m exactly, and we reckon the problem was probably due to the lock-keepers being warned of a 40mm rainfall overnight( a bit wild we thought) and we witnessed the sluice gates being opened before they knocked off for the evening- presumably to avoid a panic call-out overnight

 

[Gin]

Saw Chica earlier on today.

Interesting rudder system you have, I`'ve thought about somthing similar on mine. How did you find it with the rudder , presume it makes a big difference to steering.

Both boats have turned around and are well on their way home now, last night at Reading, probably somewhere around Marlow tonight I guess.

As to the steering, so far as I'm aware that's standard but maybe you refer to the linkage with the outboard?. When sailing the two are disconnected and the outboard lifted clear but in close quarters manoeuvering under motor, the tie bar connecting the main rudder to the motor gives very good and rapid turns which, in the current situation is most helpful.

Do have a look at our website, click on Red Sands Race and review the pics from Neil and Wil(the latter the owner of Chica) to see how we normally look- the boats that is!

www.hooness.org.uk

By the way do give them a wave if you see them go by folks, they're friendly guys and will welcome a brief chat (they are aiming to back in the Medway by Friday) if the opportunity arises!!

Gordon P.

 

[landlockedpirate]

Saw Chica earlier on today.

Interesting rudder system you have, I`'ve thought about somthing similar on mine. How did you find it with the rudder , presume it makes a big difference to steering.

It didnt make a huge difference, I think both blades would need to be at least double the area they are now to be useful. I actually made it just to help the kids out when negotiating locks, no dings on the boat so it must have worked a little !