Chiswick to Tower Bridge to Teddington? HELP!

[ValhallaBob]

I am a bit of a newby to the tidal Thames (but an old hand between Oxford and Windsor for a few years). I have a Sealine S24.

I am planning a trip next Tuesday. Teddington Lock tell me that to get back to the lock from Chiswick Pier I should leave about 3 given the tides. But I have always wanted to go under Tower Bridge (dont know why, but there it is).

What advice could anyone give to do the Chiswick-Tower Bridge, turn round and head for Teddington? Not sure what time to leave or if anyone has any warnings of any sort.

Guideance much appreciated.

BB.

 

[oldgit]

Others far more experienced than I may know better,but would have thought an hour down to Tower bridge and an hour back would suffice.So leave for your down river run 5 hours before you need to get back to Teddington ?
It can (and will be ) bumpy which may result in you having to slow down in places.
Good luck ......its great fun and worth every second.

 

[vjmehra]

In our 5.5m, 60hp RIB, leaving Kew Bridge with the tide, coming back against, the round trip takes about 2.5-3 hours. So hopefully that gives you a rough idea!

 

[Brayman]

In our 5.5m, 60hp RIB, leaving Kew Bridge with the tide, coming back against, the round trip takes about 2.5-3 hours. So hopefully that gives you a rough idea!

You don't want to be heading for Teddington on much of a falling tide if you can avoid it.

 

[vjmehra]

Yes fair point, we always aim to get back to Kew 2 hours before LW and only require about 60-80cm draught.

 

[teddington_lock]

You don't want to be heading for Teddington on much of a falling tide if you can avoid it.

Agreed , Syon Reach is the great leveller.

Personally i would take the last of the ebb down to Tower Bridge , and come back in on the flood.

 

[Brayman]

Agreed , Syon Reach is the great leveller.

Personally i would take the last of the ebb down to Tower Bridge , and come back in on the flood.

Me too!

 

[Barry Jones]

This might be useful to you:

http://www.waterscape.com/media/documents/56

I am a bit of a newby to the tidal Thames (but an old hand between Oxford and Windsor for a few years). I have a Sealine S24.

I am planning a trip next Tuesday. Teddington Lock tell me that to get back to the lock from Chiswick Pier I should leave about 3 given the tides. But I have always wanted to go under Tower Bridge (dont know why, but there it is).

What advice could anyone give to do the Chiswick-Tower Bridge, turn round and head for Teddington? Not sure what time to leave or if anyone has any warnings of any sort.

Guideance much appreciated.

BB.

 

[No Regrets]

Nice tip:

Leave whenever you want, tie up at Imperial Wharf, and wait for 'your tide'

 

[Captain Coochie]

Dont forget to spend a day doing a VHF course before you dare enter the tidal thames

 

[ValhallaBob]

So, if i need to be at Richmond at just before 3pm i would normally leave chiswick at about 1.15 or 1.30. So if i left chiswick at 10 am and gave myself 2 hours to get the 11-12 miles to tower bridge, then i should be heading back for noon. Make sense?

Or should i be forgetting the chiswick-teddington bit for another day and just concentrating on the chiswick-tower-chiswick leg?

B

 

[Chris_d]

So, if i need to be at Richmond at just before 3pm i would normally leave chiswick at about 1.15 or 1.30. So if i left chiswick at 10 am and gave myself 2 hours to get the 11-12 miles to tower bridge, then i should be heading back for noon. Make sense?

Or should i be forgetting the chiswick-teddington bit for another day and just concentrating on the chiswick-tower-chiswick leg?

B

Surely the time you leave changes every day? if you aim to get to Tower Bridge at about high water London Bridge you should be fine.

Easier still as you have suggested forget the Teddington bit and leave and return to Chiswick whenever you like.

 

[teddington_lock]

As has been said before , you don't want to be heading up to Teddington on a falling tide if you can avoid it , although you have the get out of jail card of being able to return to Chiswick if it all goes wrong.

Head to Tower Bridge on the ebb and return to Tedders on the flood.