Chatham docks are to close in 2025.

oldgit said:
You have my deepest sympathies regards your committee obligations :):):).
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Oldgit, thank you!

maby said:
The dock basin would make a good marina! MDL Chatham is too crowded these days and the lock is too small - keep the Chatham Docks lock which can take moderate size cargo ships and you could get a lot of yachts through in one cycle!
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83% of the boats in Chatham MDL didn't leave the basin once last year and there are plenty of spaces. Definitely not an issue getting in and out with the possible exceptions of bank holiday weekends with fantastic weather.
 
xyachtdave said:
Oldgit, thank you!



83% of the boats in Chatham MDL didn't leave the basin once last year and there are plenty of spaces. Definitely not an issue getting in and out with the possible exceptions of bank holiday weekends with fantastic weather.
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That's amazing. First time I have ever heard anyone knowing the stats on something like that. I assume the marina log all movements in the lock.
 
That 83% covers virtually all marinas. There is a disease that affects many boats in a marina call "Marinaitis". It stops them leaving the marina. This is not to be confused with buoyitis that affects boats on moorings.
 
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LONG_KEELER said:
That's amazing. First time I have ever heard anyone knowing the stats on something like that. I assume the marina log all movements in the lock.
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Yes recorded from lock movements. I don't think this means they are neglected, many used for weekends onboard etc. Fair play to the owners if they just use their boats as weekend cottages, keeps the lock quieter!

Concerto said:
That 83% covers virtually all marinas. There is a disease that affects many boats in a marina call "Marinaitis". It stops them leaving the marina. This is not to be confused with buoyitis that affects boats on moorings.
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At MYC we have conversations concerning numbers of people that attend cruising and racing events and how to encourage more but when you look at the usage many boats actually get (especially compared with the MDL figures) we realised we're doing ok.

Even a tidy boat needs lots of maintenance and time, I think the idea of owning a 'yacht' and 'sailing' is very appealing/sexy, the reality is it's hard work and can take a lot of cash, even if you do all your work yourself.

I'm lucky enough to have a girlfriend that likes for example servicing winches at the weekend, she's never happier than when she's cleaning my cogs and pawls in white spirit. If your partner is at the higher maintenance end of the spectrum/doesn't like boats, you'll be struggling to find the time to go sailing let alone complete all the other jobs onboard that need attention.

I think that's the root of why so many don't move.
 
Thamesport was set up as a container terminal on the site of the Grain oil refinery which had been built in the 1950s by BP and was no longer viable. It was built by a consortium headed by ex Felixstowe managers and was in operation by 1990 iirc.

It fell into administration and was acquired by Hutchison Ports UK who own Felixstowe.

It used fully automatic equipment which proved not to be the blessing that was hoped for.

Chatham like Sheerness is owned by Peel Ports who are in competition with Hutchison. I think Peel will sell off Chatham as too small and awkward and concentrate on Sheerness.
 
Concerto said:
That 83% covers virtually all marinas. There is a disease that affects many boats in a marina call "Marinaitis". It stops them leaving the marina. This is not to be confused with buoyitis that affects boats on moorings.
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I didn't think that the figure would be that high. On reflection, I think it's about right. My only
gripe would be that the most accessible berths , particular in heavy weather, all seem to be occupied by the 83% :)
 
Kukri said:
Thamesport was set up as a container terminal on the site of the Grain oil refinery which had been built in the 1950s by BP and was no longer viable. It was built by a consortium headed by ex Felixstowe managers and was in operation by 1990 iirc.

It fell into administration and was acquired by Hutchison Ports UK who own Felixstowe.

It used fully automatic equipment which proved not to be the blessing that was hoped for.

Chatham like Sheerness is owned by Peel Ports who are in competition with Hutchison. I think Peel will sell off Chatham as too small and awkward and concentrate on Sheerness.
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Are Trinity College aware of this
 
if they start using the other lock where are us locals going to go and get free show watching the inhabitants of the marina attempting to enter the lock especially with a decent tide running past the lock chamber. :)
Seem to remember doing a neat 360 in there myself, of course it was all due to the gusting F10 wind in my particular instance.
Very patient guys up there in the lock office.
Better not say to much the club is going in there at the weekend.
 
oldgit said:
if they start using the other lock where are us locals going to go and get free show watching the inhabitants of the marina attempting to enter the lock especially with a decent tide running past the lock chamber. :)
Seem to remember doing a neat 360 in there myself, of course it was all due to the gusting F10 wind in my particular instance.
Very patient guys up there in the lock office.
Better not say to much the club is going in there at the weekend.
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Maybe I should come down specially to watch your antics to see if you become a member of the exclusive 720 club.
 
When I was in the UK we used to use the same ports and marinas on a fairly regular basis, it was clear that most of the boats never left their berth. Always found it sad as I'm sure someone would have given anything to have use of those boats.

Locks are interesting places! As I mentioned too late to another formite - hold back and let it settle! The only one that really got things clenching for me was trying to get into South Dock with the Thames on full flow ebb.

It was always fun sitting in marinas watching the antics of others...

W.
 
PilotWolf said:
When I was in the UK we used to use the same ports and marinas on a fairly regular basis, it was clear that most of the boats never left their berth. Always found it sad as I'm sure someone would have given anything to have use of those boats.

Locks are interesting places! As I mentioned too late to another formite - hold back and let it settle! The only one that really got things clenching for me was trying to get into South Dock with the Thames on full flow ebb.

It was always fun sitting in marinas watching the antics of others... W.
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I only use marinas for winter liftout, servicing, or when travelling to "foreign" parts. I cant help but compare my somewhat battered old boat and those of fellow club members with the spotlessly clean unblemished boats that seem locked in there and are never seen on open water. Why invest all that money if you are not going to sail it? And then there are the slowly decaying things both ancient small sloops or rusty bluewater ketches with mouldy sails that I wouldn't trust to get me as far as the lockgates.

Mind you even in my few visits I have had my fun with the bows blowing off as I manouvered, and unplanned but hurried 180 or even 360 turns trying to avoid being set onto other boats. My last endeavour was in F5 gusting F6/F7 where we could not approach at anything less than nearly 2kt and maintain steerage, but I misjudged the astern braking and hit the hose reel on the pontoon walkway - and looking at its bruised condition I was not the first.
 
South Dock

PilotWolf said:
Locks are interesting places! As I mentioned too late to another formite - hold back and let it settle! The only one that really got things clenching for me was trying to get into South Dock with the Thames on full flow ebb.


W.
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When we left Teddington a few years ago there were white horses above the lock. As we proceeded downstream reaching Greenwich it became obvious there was no way that me and the missus were going out into Sea Reach, especially with a wind against tide awaiting and night about to fall.
To late to go anywhere else, we rang South , either that, or an "interesting" night moored to one of the lighters outside.

Whats your draft ? Youve got about 5 mins to get outside.We will open the gate and you had best be inside PDQ so we can shut it again.Only one go.
Gates open.Flat out into lock and hard astern..... soon as the water smoothed out we secured to lock bollards.
 
oldmanofthehills said:
I only use marinas for winter liftout, servicing, or when travelling to "foreign" parts. I cant help but compare my somewhat battered old boat and those of fellow club members with the spotlessly clean unblemished boats that seem locked in there and are never seen on open water. Why invest all that money if you are not going to sail it? And then there are the slowly decaying things both ancient small sloops or rusty bluewater ketches with mouldy sails that I wouldn't trust to get me as far as the lockgates.

Mind you even in my few visits I have had my fun with the bows blowing off as I manouvered, and unplanned but hurried 180 or even 360 turns trying to avoid being set onto other boats. My last endeavour was in F5 gusting F6/F7 where we could not approach at anything less than nearly 2kt and maintain steerage, but I misjudged the astern braking and hit the hose reel on the pontoon walkway - and looking at its bruised condition I was not the first.
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We used,marinas a lot because of the high value equipment we had on board and security was usually better than line along side a dock, or just simply for location.

And as we would normally be in before some boats because of the weather, due to data quality issues, it was always fun to sit on the deck and watch the antics of others!

W.
 
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