Choosing a Marina?

[Brayman]

It has often amused me to see new boaters think that they need to get back to their (or another) marina every night. It doesn't take them long to discover that the real pleasure in boating is going off up or down river and staying overnight in places where there is much of interest - eg scenery, pubs, restaurants to name but a few.

 

[D12ty]

That's what I was referring to, is it really as simple as mooring up in a location until morning? If you had one too many and was moored up outside a pub along the river would it be an issue if you kept it their overnight?

 

[Brayman]

That's what I was referring to, is it really as simple as mooring up in a location until morning? If you had one too many and was moored up outside a pub along the river would it be an issue if you kept it their overnight?

It really is that easy!
Just keep an eye out for popular mooring spots and try them out on different occasions. Don't be afraid to walk away from the boat, you never know what you might find behind those trees or round the next corner. There aren't too many riverside pubs but there are plenty within easy walking distance.

 

[No Regrets]

Once again thanks to all for the suggestions.

Apart from marinas, is there temporary places where the boats can be moored overnight without charge?

For example Kingston/Richmond/Brentford ?

This is akin to buying a nice Mercedes Gullwing and asking if you could park it in Luton or Harlow!

These places are not particularly good stops even in the case of the ones you can access (Richmond is too tidal, while you could stop in places, you would have to watch the tide didn't change by much, so no unattended boat for example!!)

I have stopped in Kingston, it's OK at best.

The better places are upstream, but by the sound of things, and despite people telling you this, you seem to be leaning toward the lower stretches of the non tidal Thames.

Staines, or perhaps Hampton Court (Nice moorings for free outside Golden gates!) are the lowest places we ever frequent unless going tidal.

Hampton Court, Staines, Laleham, Windsor, Marlow, Hurley, Henley and even more further upstream are the places you need to be able to access for good free moorings (Mostly) and good stopovers. Penton Hook restricts you in this respect unless you have time and are sleeping on the boat for a few nights.

 

[D12ty]

No regrets, if I'm honest I only said them places as I'm familiar with them! I haven't got a clue what's further up stream and I have all intentions to find out so used the examples above as I knew them.

I'm a complete amateur and am happy to admit it hence why I'm here using you guys to download so I know what to expect to a certain extent.

I done my training over at bisham and thought that was lovely so would love to take the family there for the day when the times right.

 

[No Regrets]

Book in at Bray or Windsor, and you can swap to Penton whenever you like, Bisham is a days cruise, but there's lots in between and in either direction, either short or longer cruises!

An hour to Windsor, Four and a half to Henley! Can't beat it...

 

[JorgeinLondon]

If you want to visit the Tidal Thames overnight, the best place which isn't too scary to get to is Chiswick Pier. It's reasonable and its on a floating pier which gets locked up at night. It's not brilliantly connected to the rest of the public transport system but it isn't too bad.

 

[oldgit]

so I know what to expect to a certain extent.QUOTE]

It can be a bit of a challenge to persuade yourself to moor over night in strange location and leave the boat unattended but that is all part of boating and it will become less worrying as you gain experience.

You do tend to go from one extreme to the other as time goes on.
Initially you tend to think....
Dare I moor there without getting into trouble ? can I squeeze in that tiny gap without causing problems ? Then worry constantly when the boat is out of view , wondering if it will still be all there on your return.
This morphs into.....
We are going into that tiny gap.
Stuff the glares from the adjacent boats.
Check you have the number both a local taxi company to get you home and of your boat insurance company and then wander off to enjoy your exploring unconcerned if the boat is not there on your return.

 

[No Regrets]

Always worth a punt chatting to the other boat owners when you moor, they tend to look after your unattended boat in my experience, once they have made friends with you ;-)