Advice for a newbie to the Thames

[boatone]

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I get the feeling that Narrow Boats are not liked on the Thames, have I picked up the vibe correctly??

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What on earth gave you that idea?

There are issues with Narrow Boats on the Thames, mainly connected with lack of mooring space and the fact that they take up a disproportionate amount of it because they are so long. Efforts have been made to encourage boats to 'raft' (moor) alongside each other but the majority seem to dislike that idea and, IMHO, the rafting option will only really take off if the EA and river users collectively decide that it MUST be made to work.

 

[ms1]

yes on sportcruisers be careful about deck space and also how you get on and off. NOt ideal if you have to gain access to fore-deck via a hatch in the front cabin in the phissing rain.
similarly some of these cruisers require you to stomp all over the upholstery as you climb into the cockpit.
Perhaps spend a couple of hours watching at a busy lock and you will get an impression of the importance of this aspect.

On the accommodation front think also about cockpit space ... do you want it all outside for lazy sunny Sundays or fair amount inside for overnighting.
Do you want something very open .. or something with a cockpit roof for a bit of protection.
For a trad cruiser you cant go wrong with a Freeman (or a Birchwood 25 in good condition) .... say 35 to 50 HP en gine
Chances are with a sportcruiser you'll get a lot more engine than you will ever need for non tidal Thames.

Make sure you have decent headroom to stand up when down below .. its a misery if you get this wrong !

 

[DWT]

Narrow boats are ok if you intend to visit the canal system regularly and the accomodation they provide is great for long trips. I suspect you will probably spend most of your time on shorter trips on the river for which they are less suitable. They can be difficult to manouvre and very few have any protection for the driving position.

A sportscruiser looks more fun, but again is not really suitable if you are going to spend all your time on the non tidal Thames for the reasons already set out. I would go for the boring option (but then I am an accountant and so I would wouldn't I?)

The advice about spending some time at a lock watching what is required is excellent, but in the end you will only find out what is right for you by buying something and giving it a go.

 

[byron]

John Fenn at Henley, very good but can only work in Winter because he does henley Regatta & Music Festival.

Johnny Pleece based at Walton Marina. Really knows his stuff.

 

[angelaquayle]

Hi - glad to hear you are thinking of coming onto the Thames. I haven't got any advice about the kind of boat to buy but just wanted to flag up that if your new house has a mooring on the river with any kind of staging/piles in the river, it should be licensed by the environment agency and there is an annual charge. This sometimes doesn't come up in house sales so just to check that you're aware if it's relevant. You can call 0118 953 5526 for more information and to find out the likely charge. On the brighter side, we have got a website for people using the Thames called www.visitthames.co.uk which might be of interest if you're new to the river. We also send out some handy info when you first licence your new boat with us!
Angela

 

[byron]

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Hi - glad to hear you are thinking of coming onto the Thames. I haven't got any advice about the kind of boat to buy but just wanted to flag up that if your new house has a mooring on the river with any kind of staging/piles in the river, it should be licensed by the environment agency and there is an annual charge. This sometimes doesn't come up in house sales so just to check that you're aware if it's relevant. You can call 0118 953 5526 for more information and to find out the likely charge. On the brighter side, we have got a website for people using the Thames called www.visitthames.co.uk which might be of interest if you're new to the river. We also send out some handy info when you first licence your new boat with us!
Angela

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The easiest way to avoid these rip-off charges is to pull them out and reinstall them on the bank. I still can't get my head around how they can charge me for posts into my own land, I mean why can't I charge them for running their water over my river bed?

 

[Steve_Jones]

Angela,

I have already spoken with the EA. This particular mooring is a special case as the riverbed is owned by the Mapledurham Estate, but thanks for the info amyway. By the way, what is your connection with the EA, your profile is a little 'sparse' /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Steve Clayton]

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as the riverbed is owned by the Mapledurham Estate,

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No doubt if you do complete your purchase then you will eventually meet Jack and Lady Easton.. charming couple. We knew them as we lived in what was an ex-tithe cottage within the Estate boundaries for over 20 years; Jack was (still is?) chair of the Parish Council and SWMBO was a P. Councillor.

Byron, is it still about 50quid a year for sticking a single mooring pile (eg: a bit of scaffolding pole) in the Thames bed????

www.seraph-sailing.com

 

[angelaquayle]

I'm the Business Development Manager - I manage the craft registration team, the accommodations licensing team and a small marketing team that promotes the use of the river and produces information for customers. I wasn't meaning to have a sparse profile - I haven't worked out everything to do with this forum.

 

[byron]

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as the riverbed is owned by the Mapledurham Estate,

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Byron, is it still about 50quid a year for sticking a single mooring pile (eg: a bit of scaffolding pole) in the Thames bed????

www.seraph-sailing.com

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In short YES! I don't know the exact charge as I pulled mine out. There is some dispute as to where and when Envag can make these charges, I couldn't be bothered with a dispute so took the easy way out.
Bearing in mind I own the river bed to the middle I can't understand who I would have to pay them for a post in my land just because their water flows over it.

 

[akirk]

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as the riverbed is owned by the Mapledurham Estate,

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Byron, is it still about 50quid a year for sticking a single mooring pile (eg: a bit of scaffolding pole) in the Thames bed????

www.seraph-sailing.com

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In short YES! I don't know the exact charge as I pulled mine out. There is some dispute as to where and when Envag can make these charges, I couldn't be bothered with a dispute so took the easy way out.
Bearing in mind I own the river bed to the middle I can't understand who I would have to pay them for a post in my land just because their water flows over it.

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Very easy solution:

scaffolding poles - sink them into the bank down to c. 5 / 6 foot.
then cantilever a landing stage out over the river...
nothing touching the water, no poles in the water and a nice strong jetty... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

just make sure that if your neighbour opposite is doing the same the two landing stages don't meet mid-stream... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Caergybi_Man]

I have sent you a PM.

 

[TrueBlue]

FYI, the new lock keeper at Mapledurham has redecorated, refurbished, and brought the shop up to the vagaries of local Trading Standards office.

He has recommenced plant sales - heavens know how - as the previous incumbent's wife had an extensive nursery behind the house.

I encourage all who may to partake of his excellent produce and food. He has had a rubbish time where he was before and deserves loads of custom to encourage his efforts. Following the previous occupier is quite a hard task to follow, but he is getting there quickly.

Tell him how nice the lockside is looking (even if i isn't! - getting to end of plant growing season so most bedding plants are past their best).

These folk are at the sharp end of the system, and I notice how few boaters bother to exchange pleasantries with the operators. A few kind words don't go amiss - and it helps to pass the time while you wait for the lock to fill and empty.

(Not directed at you Brayman - just for general consumption)

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

I make a point of chatting to the keeper at Sunbury whenever I am there, so most weekends. A vast fund of knowledge and advice and funny stories.

 

[boatone]

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These folk are at the sharp end of the system, and I notice how few boaters bother to exchange pleasantries with the operators. A few kind words don't go amiss - and it helps to pass the time while you wait for the lock to fill and empty.

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Boat behind me in a lock last weekend complained that chatting to the lockies made them take too long to work the lock...... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just another symptom of river rage I suppose. Same lockie told me an earlier boater had even refused to move further up the lock so that he could get another boat in. If it had been me I think I would have told him I wasnt working the lock and no-one was going anywhere until he did what he was asked!