Advise on transiting tidal Thames

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Chris B

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We are looking to go from non tidal Thames down through London to Lime house or South Dock Marinas this summer.

We have a 28ft mobo capable of 10knots although as it is our 1st season we have never tried it over 5 yet.

Any advise on what to watch out for or tips on best time to leave to get there at suitable time to lock in.

Also do we have to do Teddington down in one go or are there any stopping points particularly Richmond, Twickenham or Kew areas.

Thanks in advance

Chris
 
Chris B said:
We are looking to go from non tidal Thames down through London to Lime house or South Dock Marinas this summer.

We have a 28ft mobo capable of 10knots although as it is our 1st season we have never tried it over 5 yet.

Any advise on what to watch out for or tips on best time to leave to get there at suitable time to lock in.

Also do we have to do Teddington down in one go or are there any stopping points particularly Richmond, Twickenham or Kew areas.

Thanks in advance

Chris
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Obviously, if you are going down river anywhere, you need to be going faster than the stream, otherwise no steerage, just drift. Likewise, do you have enough power to stem the stream? If unable to do either, you should only attempt it at slack water.
Local advice should be sought, or contact
https://www.pla.co.uk/Contact-Us
 
Assuming that you will arrive before 1800 , then leave teddington approx 1/2 hour before high water teddington. By the time you get through the lock , the tide will be slack and then the ebb will carry you down. This will also save you paying at richmond lock as you will just go under the sluices.

Narrowboats do teddington to Limehouse in about 3 1/2 hours , so even a slow cruiser should make at least the same time.

If you are going to arrive after 1800 , you will need to book Limehouse,

So as a rough guide , saw HW Teddington is 1300 , then leave at 1230 and that should see you into Limehouse by 1600
 
Vital that boat mechanics are in 101% condition and that you have all recommended safety gear on board.You need decent good quality lifejackets and please please some decent mooring warps suitable for your weight of craft ie. not the usual bits of 3ft long weedy washing line many boats sport on the upper Thames.
A radio is very useful device to have if things go wrong.Make a note of the frequencies in use on way down and that of Limehouse Marina. and keep it handy.
Boats which have been on the more tranquil parts of the upper river will possibly have a aquired layer of crud and debris on the bottom of the fuel tank.It is only when the boat is being bounced about on the tidal section that the tank bottom will flex and cause the gunge to be dislodged,blocking filters.If you are lucky you may be able to move at a slow speed or in worst case lose all power completely.
Store securely away anything you want to keep unbroken,nothing more distracting/irritating than listening to stuff hitting the floor and you cannot leave the helm to grab it.
Once past Teddington and esp. Richmond ,we would need a very very good reason indeed not to keep going until Tower Bridge.
Most critical time will be when you arrive down outside Limehouse,having probably coasted down at low throttle openings you will need to open the throttles to turn and stem the tide,remembering if a big tide the current against you will be 3 or 4 knots.time to keep an eye on the temp gauges and get out of the flow and into the slack water of the lock entrance ASAP if at all possible.
A most wonderful trip and if it all goes well you will wonder what all the blimming fuss is about. :)
 
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Agree with oldgit on all that plus you need an anchor, loads of rubbish on the tideway. Two years ago I picked up a discarded rope in central London which fouled both props and stopped both engines dead! Luckily one prop cleared when I restarted but we were being rapidly carried towards a bridge and would have needed an anchor and a urgent radio call for help if it hadn't restarted. It's a great trip through London but plan and equip the boat properly, sorry to sound all doom and gloom.
 
The guys are quite right to point out all the possible problems! There have been times I have wished I were at sea rather than in the Thames reaches or sea reach! Plan for the worst, hope for the best!
 
Chris B said:
We are looking to go from non tidal Thames down through London to Lime house or South Dock Marinas this summer.

We have a 28ft mobo capable of 10knots although as it is our 1st season we have never tried it over 5 yet.

Any advise on what to watch out for or tips on best time to leave to get there at suitable time to lock in.

Also do we have to do Teddington down in one go or are there any stopping points particularly Richmond, Twickenham or Kew areas.

Thanks in advance

Chris
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The tidal bit is (not surprisingly) quite different from the non tidal bit.
Frinstance you can't moor bankside anywhere, or more sensibly there are hardly any paid for moorings available. Chiswick Pier and possibly a club at Putney. So it needs a lot more planning and research.

On an other forum (CWDF) members have reported that the waiting pontoon at Limehouse is something to be avoided (!) as it gets more than choppy. Likewise picking it up can be very hairy.
Wash from the trip boats especially the catamarans is unpleasant, though in a small craft it's easy to turn into it.
As others have said it can be a fantastic trip - as long as you do all the preparation necessary.
If this is your first season boating then......
 
Have used both the marinas you mention.
South dock is a perfectly good marina but just a tad out of the way for visiting main London attractions, boasts the Wobbly Bar nearbye and a very cosmpolitan pub within 10 mins walk.It is also very good value for money.The lock is bit tight but you will almost certainly have it all to yourself and it usually operates as and when somebody wants to use it.
Lime house is certainly a lot busier and handy for getting into central London.
A short (ish) walk gets you round into Wapping High St. with all its pubs and eateries.
Personal fav is St Kats but it is not cheap and can be difficult to book...the location is second to none.
Chelsea Yot Haven is also OK but a bit sterile and probably the last retreat of the yuppies.
Good gastro pub at top of Lots Road just before you enter the Democratic Peoples Republic of Chelsea....OK Ya.
 
I am not sure whether South Dock have any visitors' moorings now so it would be wise to check with them.

Most of the discussion seems to refer to going down with the ebb. However, this can leave you with a long wait when you arrive as most of the London marinas are only accessible around high water. We usually plan to arrive around high water. We get to Richmond as the barrier lifts and then punch the flood tide. Depending on how far you are going and your boat speed you may need to use the lock to go a little earlier but you must ensure that there is enough water below the barrier to get through without running aground.

Coming back is much easier as you can leave the marina as soon as the tide is high enough to get out and come up with the flood.

It is a great experience to take your own boat into London but should be carefully planned. I would strongly recommend going in company with another boat with more experience or joining a club cruise. We belong to Walton Bridge Cruiser Club and are planning to go to Limehouse at the end of the month. Send me a PM if you would like to come with us.
 
We were in Limehouse earlier this week. Yacht not a mobo but we watched some come and go.

If HW is less than 6.2m then they only open at HW.
The waiting pontoon in any kind of swell is to be avoided. Arrange a lock-in time with them and arrive then. This is likely to be on slack. If it is windy and a weekday then it gets a bit lively out there but hey ho.
Staff helpful and assist with lines in the lock.

We liked the location rather than the goldfish bowl that is St Kats.

A few pics on the East Coast Forum.
 
.I would strongly recommend going in company with another boat with more experience or joining a club cruise. We belong to Walton Bridge Cruiser Club and are planning to go to Limehouse at the end of the month. Send me a PM if you would like to come with us.
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Excellent Idea.
 
The advice would have frightened the life out of me !:)
Looking forward to coming round in August,should have quite a few boats visiting, Last year think we had 15 or so club boats up with you lot at some point.
Also have a few members off to the French canals at weekend .
 
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