Abingdon Marina moorings?

rafiki_

rafiki_

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Any thoughts on the above? We are currently on the Severn, but looking for a change, on our way to the Sarf Coast. Abingdon feels about 75 mins from home.

We need security, shorepower, peace and quiet.

Rafiki is a Sunline 31 and air draft is about 10ft.

many thanks
 
we ventured in there last year whilst up that way on holiday. Don't know what it is like to stay there, but it is in a nice setting in a large area surrounded by some nice houses.

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The photos show the private moorings that belong to the houses.
Thje actual marine part is tucked away behind and to the left of the pictures.

The road approach is through a housing estate that has / had quite a reputation and the fence around the marina site has some seriously sharp metal in it. Put me off a bit.

However, the manager is very pleasant and helpful. Like most Thames marinas it's quite full, so give them a bell first.
 
I only have limited knowledge and its all second hand from the marina staff.

We have used the slipway there for day launching quite a lot, so when we decided to spend a week on the Thames last year I thought we could leave our car and trailer there.

I spoke to the very helpfull staff in the marina, they suggested that the local 'yoofs' hang around the public car park at night and the car may not be as safe as it should be.

I dont think this is a problem if you are inside the marina compound, but worth asking the question.
 
Oh, dear; facilities

There's nowt I can recall until you get to the dreaded Thames & Kennett at Reading. Much the same applies to fuel.

There are "two" marinas at Osney (a family split), but you probably wouldn't want to scrape under Folly bridge at 10ft 3ins. Mostly small and nbs thereabouts.

Are you looking for a permanent = year mooring (you say you're enroute for the coast)?

As for Abingdon the compund and moorings are secure as a result of the serious tinware and there's some parking in the compound as I recall; we looked at it several years ago.

Other moorings in that stretch are end-of-garden so no facilities.
 
Brayman said:
TrueBlue said:
There's nowt I can recall until you get to the dreaded Thames & Kennett at Reading. QUOTE]

What's so "dreaded" about Thames & Kennet marina, it's a 5-star (or is it anchor) marina.
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I wondered if someone would rise to that!

We popped in some time ago and the staff were very rude and offhand.
Fixed split on fuel (none of their business - it's boaters' declaration)
At that time there were a lot of unhappy customers.

Believe it may have changed latterly - but once bitten.

Anyway we're v.happy where we are - when I can get to the boat.
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I'll happly vouch for T&K.

Apart from one person who is consistently surly, they're a great bunch and always willing to give help/advice/tell me where to get stuff cheaper for the boat.

As many here will know I've had problems with the boat of late and they've been very understanding and helpful, especially as I wasnt able to get to my own mooring and spent almost 4 weeks on visitors' spaces.....

Yes I'd like to pay less: but its a great facility and as secure as it gets: from the road it's like Fort Knox!
 
Stayed at Abingdon Marina for a year or so in 2010. Found it to be all we needed with good security although the toilet block was one male and one female - no showers!
Gentleman called Gary (Garry?) was in charge at the time,probably still is. He was always most helpful :)
As I recall the rates were rather lower than Reading.

Thinking back probably the only problem we had was that Abingdon is such a super destination - and we were already there !

On the Trent now and certainly miss the Thames
 
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Loggo said:
Stayed at Abingdon Marina for a year or so in 2010. Found it to be all we needed with good security although the toilet block was one male and one female - no showers!
Gentleman called Gary (Garry?) was in charge at the time,probably still is. He was always most helpful :)
As I recall the rates were rather lower than Reading.

Thinking back probably the only problem we had was that Abingdon is such a super destination - and we were already there !

On the Trent now and certainly miss the Thames
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Many thanks. Gary is still there. For us, Reading is too far from home, and we may as well go to the Solent for another 15 odd mins, which is where we would ideally go. However, we will ditch crawl for another season or so, until we relocate home, further sarf.

Will go and have another look at Abingdon.
 
I have my little boat a Onsey Marina in Oxford, I find it very nice and safe plus you can walk into the city centre.
 
bendyone said:
I have my little boat a Onsey Marina in Oxford, I find it very nice and safe plus you can walk into the city centre.
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I did mention that - but he only had 3" clearance under Folly bridge a the best estimate, so I guess he felt it was not worth taking the risk!!

Pity he didn't say if the thought he couldn't
 
TrueBlue said:
I did mention that - but he only had 3" clearance under Folly bridge a the best estimate, so I guess he felt it was not worth taking the risk!!

Pity he didn't say if the thought he couldn't
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I guessed he would be coming by road as if he cant get under the bridge he wont get to Abingdon anyway. The only disadvantage is that is the bridge is a problem he would have to head down river every time.

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bendyone said:
I guessed he would be coming by road as if he cant get under the bridge he wont get to Abingdon anyway. The only disadvantage is that is the bridge is a problem he would have to head down river every time.

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Nice pics! Looks much better from your side than it does from the lock cut. Whic one is you?

He can get under Abingdon - 13' 11" ? but not Folly - so that keeps many boats away from the nice bit.

Anyway we've given him loads of info, so he can work from there.
 
rafiki_ said:
Thanks for your info. My current estimate is I would not get Rafiki thru Osney bridge. Are there any dimensions available on the web?
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My figure of 10' 3" came from Chris C_S's book which in turn came from the official EA guide a pdf copy of which is floating around somewhere on the web (sorry don't have a link - and there's not much point me looking for it as it says no more than the above. The Grid Refererence is SP 51437 05556).
What would be more use to you is the profile - no info there - but I can say, being a very old stone structure the arch is very narrow, so it could be a lot less than 10'3" at (say) 4ft either side of the centre.

FWIW there is another bridge to the left of the island on which Salter's sit which may have slightly higher clearance, being of more modern construction. Not being on the main channel no details are listed.

Lockies often have much more info: than you would expect. Try the Resident or even one of the area reliefs on duty. They might be as much of an anorak as I.. 01865 247050.
Or even Salters - 'cos their boats have sticky-up-bits.
 
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