Chatum lock

[Amour]

Can anybody tell me if Chattum lock is the same layout as Ipswich haven ie which side is poonton ?
Gavin

 

[CCJ]

http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-chatham-maritime-marina

 

[Cantata]

Chatham has deck-level pontoons on both sides, as described and pictured in my favourite pilot book.

 

[Amour]

Many thanks for that ..

 

[Concerto]

Gavin.

The lock is wider than the gates, so you will need to swing your stern in if you are offered either side aft. It is probably one of the easiest locks to moor up in. I normally do it singlehanded, its that easy.

When passing Medway Yacht Club you should call up Chatham Marina on Ch80. They will let you know if the lock is ready to enter or they have to adjust the water level. If you are the first or only boat in the lock you can choose which side to moor. You will only be allocated a side if you are 3rd or 4th boat in the lock. In very busy periods they may have 2 more boats in the centre.

Hope you enjoy your visit.

 

[Amour]

That's good to hear the pontoons look about deck height do they go up and down with the leval ? .

 

[PaulRainbow]

When are you going to Chatham ? We are going this weekend.

 

[Amour]

Not sure may be later in the month work dependant . We are based in Levington which is so easy .yet a bit solless spent this's weekend in Ipswich haven a really enjoyed it as did wife and daughter .she liked the large calm area for dingy and outboard .

 

[PaulRainbow]

Not sure may be later in the month work dependant . We are based in Levington which is so easy .yet a bit solless spent this's weekend in Ipswich haven a really enjoyed it as did wife and daughter .she liked the large calm area for dingy and outboard .

The Haven is a nice marina and the Last Anchor do a decent meal. The sirens can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

We plan to leave Shotley early hours Friday morning to arrive around 11:00, returning on Monday. Will be my first visit, looking forward to visiting the museum and the rope works.

 

[Amour]

Sounds good safe trip and thanku for advice .
Gavin

 

[ex-Gladys]

The Haven is a nice marina and the Last Anchor do a decent meal. The sirens can be a bit of a pain sometimes. We plan to leave Shotley early hours Friday morning to arrive around 11:00, returning on Monday. Will be my first visit, looking forward to visiting the museum and the rope works.

You really need a good two days for the Dockyard Museum, there are booked times for the Rope Walk, and for Ocelot (the submarine).

 

[sailorman]

That's good to hear the pontoons look about deck height do they go up and down with the leval ? .

It will do a lot of damage if it diesnt

 

[Concerto]

That's good to hear the pontoons look about deck height do they go up and down with the leval ? .

They certainly do float, so tie up and no adjustment.

The mention of the Dockyard is a good place to visit. To see everything you will need two days, but your ticket is valid for a year, so no extra entry fee. There is an outlet shopping centre close to the marina, plus a pub, gin distillery with cafe/deli, Co-op, fish and chip shop, cinema, trampolining centre, 2 gyms and about 10 restaruants. Everything is a short walk, or you can take walk beside the Medway and go round St Mary's Island. If you want to be more adventurous, then a bus trip can take you to Chatham town centre or Rochester. Rochester is a historic place with a castle and cathedral, along with a high street with no big multiple retailers.

Hope you enjoy your stay. Unfortunately I shall be away, otherwise I would have said come and say hello.

 

[PaulRainbow]

You really need a good two days for the Dockyard Museum, there are booked times for the Rope Walk, and for Ocelot (the submarine).

Thanks Larry.

 

[Cantata]

I was there recently and went to the Royal Engineers Museum for the first time. Really good. A bit of a walk, or get there by bus. Also asked about a tour of the new Gin Distillery by the marina, but it was a silly price.

 

[oldgit]

Re: Chatham lock

Also asked about a tour of the new Gin Distillery by the marina, but it was a silly price.

You do get to sample the product, OG found it cheerfully worth the money and educational,came away impressed despite being very much of the above opinion before entry. Takes around two hours and goes with a lot of information about the cereals being sourced locally and the waste product goes back to farms for animal feed. They also have neat little bar at side of distillery. A bit of further info ...they did try to get all the distilling kit in UK, gave up after being quoted silly money and firms unable to provide dimensions they needed to fit historic building. Got the gear from Germany ,right price,right size and delivered on time. Good caff in same building. On entering lock, if tide is in full flow outside be prepared for turbulance inside lock chamber to try to spin you through 180 if it gets the slightess chance. Get your ropes secure as soon as you are able........

 

[Cantata]

Indeed the caff in the old Pump House is good, very busy/popular it looks too.