Bridge Heights

[Newbroom]

I am purchasing a Fairline Turbo 36 which I am hoping to keep on the river at Windsor. Slightly concerned about the practicality of this re the bridge heights at Windsor and further upstream.

The official air draft of a turbo 36 with the radar arch down is 3.8m the heights given for the Windsor Road bridge is 4.01 but is that to the center of the arch only and at what height of river.
Is there a datum point before the bridge to determine the river height or the bridge height.

How far past Windsor will it be practical to get with a boat of that size. Cookham lock cut bridge height being 3.81 and Marlow bridge 3.86 being two bridges in particular that technically should be navigable but no room for error on measurements.
Dave

 

[Enterprise6]

I have a turbo 36 at windsor race course marina, provided the radar arch can be lowered you can get under the bridge at Windsor although first time is a bit of hold your breath moment with probably 6 inches to spare above flybridge windscreen. I have taken mine up as far as Reading through Cockham lock cut so again do able with folding radar arch.

I should say I havent attempted either in winter months with higher water levels

 

[Blackfeather]

You will be fine in most circumstances but need to keep an eye on river levels. the charted air drafts seem to err on the cautious side so you should be ok most of the way up the river.

 

[Actionmat]

I've seen Fairline 36's a long way up the river. Fill up with fuel and water and then drop a tape measure off the top to get a true idea of clearance. If you're cutting it fine, the shape of the bridge will be as important as the height.

 

[rosssavage]

Assuming folding radar arch you'll be fine all the way up to Oxford.

Cookham is the worst, Sonning bridge is scary and Abbingdon is tight, but you'll fit in any conditions other than red / possibly yellow boards.

There are three Sealine F43's in Windsor marina that are just slightly taller than a T36 and they manage with few problems.

My P385 is very similar to your air draft too, and you soon get used to it.

There is no reference mark before Windsor and Eton bridge (you will fit with room to spare, but it won't look like it when you approach! Stay in the middle of the centre arch though...) but there is a reference post downstream of Cookham lock cut bridge. Ask the lockie to point it out to you as you come out of the lock heading upstream towards the bridge...

 

[Newbroom]

Thanks Ross I will pick your brain further when I see you next

 

[oldgit]

The early T36 had stainless radar arch which folds down,the later versions had fixed glassfibre version.
Fairly simple fixes ranging from a pair of stainless hinges and your arms to very sophisticated assemblies with hydraulic or electrical rams and a button on the flybridge.
There was recently a Princess 388 up for sale in Wales which was easily identified as being "ex Thames" due to the fact the radar arch had simply just been removed and never replaced.
Certainly no rules or regulations demanding an arch other than the need for an all round navigation light attached somewhere.

 

[captain tomas]

I have owned and used a T36 on the river for more than ten years.
Providing you have not got a turbo with small engine options (lighter weight vessel rides higher in the water) you would only have a problem in times of heavy rainfall. The Thames lockies are good at maintaining their levels in normal conditions.
With the radar arch hinged back and fuel and water tanks above a third full you should be ok to Oxford. Only on one occasion in the summer months have I been forced to curtail due to high river level.

 

[No Regrets]

The fuel level will have a negligible effect on the air draft ;-)

Just a thought, if you are upriver, and heading downriver with a very marginal air draft and a bit of a current, consider reversing through bridges. If it goes pear shaped you can escape easily...

 

[Chris_d]

The fuel level will have a negligible effect on the air draft ;-)

Just a thought, if you are upriver, and heading downriver with a very marginal air draft and a bit of a current, consider reversing through bridges. If it goes pear shaped you can escape easily...

Heard this advice given many times by peeps who I am sure have never actually tried it, in reality you are more likely to hit the bridge as the bow get pushed off sideways half way under the bridge!

 

[Newbroom]

Thanks guys all useful.
Not sure about the idea of reversing under the bridge, surely much more control going ahead ,

 

[miket]

Only need do this in strong stream conditions where you are actually in forward gear, at least part of the time, stemming the current. As another has mentioned, excellent control. It just sounds a little odd.
And yes, I have tried it and spookyley when I owned a Turbo 36 !!

 

[oldgit]

Just a suggestion from a frequent low bridge misadventurer,with damage to prove it.
If you do intend going through a bridge with marginal clearance,do it from downstairs.
A crunched flybridge screen with a bit of bent stainless and lots of piss taking afterwards is lots easier to fix than damaged people on flybridge.
Also if your flybridge throttle levers contact the bridge surface and get pushed back,things could go from bad to worse.
It is shame sometimes when you talk to some boaters both on the Thames and Medway that you find entire stretches are foreign to them simply because of worries about bridge heights.
Just wait until you not under pressure form any other craft and go and have a look-see,you can always back out if you feel uncertain,might be worth taking out a frequent user of the area to get you under for the first time.