Any advice for someone new to boating in Thames?

[Mirror Painter]

My first motor boat was rented on the Broads. This was a years ago and with my G.F. of the time. We got close to Yarmouth and moored with pins. Early the next morning I fell out of bed and then fell over again because the boat was all p*ssed. You already know what had happened.

 

[rustic]

I am always amazed at how strong the deck cleats are on hire craft, unlike the fender eyes, which are held on with rusty old screws, designed to rip out without damaging the deck. I have found a few fenders over the years, with the rope and the galvanised deck eyes with 4 x 1" rusty screws and a bit of wood splinters or grp fibres still attached lol.

 

[st599]

Tip... boats turn around a point just behind the centre of a boat,

Not always. If you're on a RIB, it changes depending on whether you're in forwards or reverse for instance.