CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
No. We are booked in at St Kats. If we are going to do it we may as well do it properly and be right in the middle of it all
Can I Pick Your Brains
- Thread starter CX54WEK
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No. We are booked in at St Kats. If we are going to do it we may as well do it properly and be right in the middle of it all
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Speaking as another stranger to Gods own River , can confirm the first time you do that trip is all a bit concerning ,as well it should be.
A,hem, even veterans double check their timings and then check them again.
Quite a few balls to keep in air at one time.
On arrival at Teddington, we always pop down to the lock office sometime during the evening just to make them aware we are overnighting on the moorings and wish to transit early next morning.
Then its up the road for a cheapo pub dinner somewhere .
We have never yet failed to find mooring and if really really busy the staff will squeeze you in somewhere.
Like to arrive at barrier just as it lifts,so we try to be exiting Teddington lock 30 mins or so before this time .
If departing in the pitch black it can be disconcerting as no real means of seeing much, just stick to the middle.
Once beyond Richmond daylight is normally with you.
Keep an eye out for rowers, who will be out at all sorts of ungodly hours, many now have a strobe light to help you spot them.
IT is not against the law slow up when you pass as well as slow up when passing launch sites at the various clubs .
Do not whizz past residential moorings either .
Ps. It has been rumoured that some folks do speed up a tad on isolated empty stretches devoid of observers.
Have stopped at most of the London Marinas after leaving Teddington ,both by design and emergency have never failed to make a lock in. This includes Chelsea, St Kats and South Dock.
Have used Richond lock but the lack of water in river beyond proved it to be not worth the effort.
The trip through the centre of the city is worth all the effort and gives real sense of achievement .
A,hem, even veterans double check their timings and then check them again.
Quite a few balls to keep in air at one time.
On arrival at Teddington, we always pop down to the lock office sometime during the evening just to make them aware we are overnighting on the moorings and wish to transit early next morning.
Then its up the road for a cheapo pub dinner somewhere .
We have never yet failed to find mooring and if really really busy the staff will squeeze you in somewhere
.Like to arrive at barrier just as it lifts,so we try to be exiting Teddington lock 30 mins or so before this time .
If departing in the pitch black it can be disconcerting as no real means of seeing much, just stick to the middle.
Once beyond Richmond daylight is normally with you.
Keep an eye out for rowers, who will be out at all sorts of ungodly hours, many now have a strobe light to help you spot them.
IT is not against the law slow up when you pass as well as slow up when passing launch sites at the various clubs .
Do not whizz past residential moorings either .
Ps. It has been rumoured that some folks do speed up a tad on isolated empty stretches devoid of observers.
Have stopped at most of the London Marinas after leaving Teddington ,both by design and emergency have never failed to make a lock in. This includes Chelsea, St Kats and South Dock.
Have used Richond lock but the lack of water in river beyond proved it to be not worth the effort.
The trip through the centre of the city is worth all the effort and gives real sense of achievement .
Old Crusty
Well-Known Member
It's still 24 hr manning at Teddington though there are moves afoot to change the shift pattern that the LWKs work. The launch lock is to have public power installed so draw your own conclusion from that.
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Newbroom
Well-Known Member
Teddington is still a 24 hrs operation
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Can you clarify that ?
Presume you refer to the lock that most of us would normally use !
Parabordi
Well-Known Member
Yeah, not the Barge lock, the other one.
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
I can't imagine why anybody would want to go to Limehouse rather than St Kats :ambivalence:
It's not even close. Better moorings, A far more pleasant selection of vessels to gaze upon, Loads of things to do, places to go and better facilities overall.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Limehouse has its uses, the wider locking time window and opening on demand makes it a more logical destination when coming up from the coast. Showers used to be better too, although I haven't tried the new ones at St Kats yet.
But if coming downstream I can't think why you would go past St Kats in favour of Limehouse, unless in a narrowboat of course
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
New showers at St Kats are very nice, especially the ones in the main block by the lock!
New pontoons too, all very civilised. You can adjust the cleats to suit your boat with a 17mm spanner, which is nice for extended stays.
Getting in on a fast flowing tide is less lethal too. Limehouse can be a bit wayward at times.... (Not that St Kats is perfect in this respect, but never had a problem attempting to enter and being concerned in any way...)
New pontoons too, all very civilised. You can adjust the cleats to suit your boat with a 17mm spanner, which is nice for extended stays.
Getting in on a fast flowing tide is less lethal too. Limehouse can be a bit wayward at times.... (Not that St Kats is perfect in this respect, but never had a problem attempting to enter and being concerned in any way...)
CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
Limehouse has its uses, the wider locking time window and opening on demand makes it a more logical destination when coming up from the coast. Showers used to be better too, although I haven't tried the new ones at St Kats yet.
But if coming downstream I can't think why you would go past St Kats in favour of Limehouse, unless in a narrowboat of course
One possible reason would be that our CRT licence covers us for 48 hours free mooring in the basin at Limehouse. But even then we have decided against it.
Old Crusty
Well-Known Member
The anorak in me wants to be pedantically explanatory and say, yes, it's the launch lock, the middle one that most boats use that is to have public power fitted. The barge lock is too high risk to allow boaters to play with and the skiff/coffin lock is a heritage piece now, not that you'd fit in it anyway!
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Yes there is the free wall for license holders in Limehouse, think it might be a bit full though!
You could of course have done the London ring, dived in at Brentford off the Thames and up the Grand Union, then across London on the Regents Canal and into Limehouse that way, then locked out up to St Kats. But would need another couple of days.
Did it in a similar sports cruiser to yours many years ago now and its a memorable trip.
CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
Think we will give that one a miss!
Thallac
Well-Known Member
Hi
You can also stay at DovePier or Imperial Wharf Pier. Chiswick has Chiswick House and the delights of Chiswick High Street. Dove pier has the River Cafe and busy Hammersmith. Imperial Wharf has the Kings Road near by. All far more exciting that what you get on the non tidal thames
You can also stay at DovePier or Imperial Wharf Pier. Chiswick has Chiswick House and the delights of Chiswick High Street. Dove pier has the River Cafe and busy Hammersmith. Imperial Wharf has the Kings Road near by. All far more exciting that what you get on the non tidal thames
CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
We have booked a night on Chiswick Pier.
Tide times work so we can still have most of the day on the Friday on the non tidal river before heading down to Chiswick.
Tide times work so we can still have most of the day on the Friday on the non tidal river before heading down to Chiswick.
Dave_Seager
Well-Known Member
The tide can run pretty fast past Chiswick Pier. Moor up facing into the current when you arrive. Work out which way the current will be flowing when you plan to leave and turn your boat to face it during slack water if necessary. It can be very difficult to depart safely with the current behind you.
CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
Are you trying to teach me to suck eggs now 
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Are you trying to teach me to suck eggs now
Are you also fully aware there are in factDragons beyond Teddington Lock and apparently according to some, no lock keepers either.
Some boats and crews leave the the Thames and mysteriously never return, what more proof do you need ?
I personally think its all a cunning plot by the EA.......We should be told !
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CX54WEK
Well-Known Member
Unless something goes seriously wrong we should be one of those boats who locks out never to returnAre you also fully aware there are in factDragons beyond Teddington Lock and apparently according to some, no lock keepers either.
Some boats and crews leave the the Thames and mysteriously never return, what more proof do you need ?
I personally think its all a cunning plot by the EA.......We should be told !
Well maybe not for a few years anyway.
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Are you trying to teach me to suck eggs now
I have no doubt the lady will not be turned
You'll just moor in the correct direction for the tide, bows first or possibly stern first which is slightly less conventional, but correct under the circumstances.
....and undo those lines in the right order :encouragement: