Cookham Slipway ( & Public definition ) ?

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MorrowinD

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Hello.

Thinking of launching a 15' 6" Bilge Keel on to the Thames for the day. Needs two feet draft. Anybody any experience/advice with his slipway... or suggest another in the area.

As it's on the net as public Slipway, am I to understand I need make no prior arrangements ? Are there monies to be paid ?


Thanks for any help on this..

Just in case it's not apparent :rolleyes: We are new to this so it might take us a while ;)
 
MorrowinD said:
Hello.

Thinking of launching a 15' 6" Bilge Keel on to the Thames for the day. Needs two feet draft. Anybody any experience/advice with his slipway... or suggest another in the area.

As it's on the net as public Slipway, am I to understand I need make no prior arrangements ? Are there monies to be paid ?


Thanks for any help on this..

Just in case it's not apparent :rolleyes: We are new to this so it might take us a while ;)
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CAll the Environment Agency office in Reading for both details of the slipway and the visitors licence you will require.
MIDDLE THAMES OFFICE - Tail of Cleeve Lock to Tail of Bray Lock - 0118 953 5533

Also see the Visit Thames website for all sorts of info re boating on the Thames.

www.visitthames.co.uk
 
You should be able to launch as long as you're good at reversing.

We pass within inches of the slipway at 'The Ferry' with a 2'6" draught with no issues.
 
You need to be careful to check how far the slip continues into the water, some of the older slips seem to drop off sharply at the water's edge. I seem to remember that one looked a bit like that.
 
So have we....and laughed ! (Though it's been a few years )

Poor buggers....but then I didn't think it would be us next. Equally, they always seemed to launch smooth hulled day boats...nothing with a keel !

Might go and take a look tomorrow.....if anybody gets stuck behind a small bilge keel, I can only apologise as it's probably us trying to recover her...:D
 
Used to use this slip a fair bit in my trail boating days, its not too bad however that was for a 17` Bin liner. Not sure how you'd get on with a bilge keel. The main issue with the slip is reversing back down the side of the pub and cars parked that are using the pub. Its a nightmare at weekends however midweek was always fine. It is a public slipway and no need to pay any fees. We used to use the one upriver a bit at Aston, we found this one much better however it may be a bit shallow for a bilge keel.
 
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boatone said:
So what happened ? The suspense is building.........
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Aha... you caught me out.

We chickened out.... we just went without the boat and enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine and some soup while watching the coming and goings of others.....

It looked do-able to me...if you arrived before the lunch time masses and their associated parking.

We then made plans for the Sunday....and got rained off ! I know, fair-weather sailors and all that but it really threw it down all day ....

So, the challenge remains... the Thames is yet to be conquered :rolleyes:
 
Well as long as you still have it on your agenda just don't forget we all want to know.

Good option with the wine though, what was the year and type again? Also was the soup a 2010 vintage?
 
Brayman said:
Well as long as you still have it on your agenda just don't forget we all want to know.

Good option with the wine though, what was the year and type again? Also was the soup a 2010 vintage?
Click to expand...

Crozes Hermitage 2008, French Onion...

Both could have been better but were enjoyed none the less with the water gently reflecting a rare show of sunshine...

Will update soon...hopefully.
 
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