Costs

[Haven't-a-Clue]

I've just been reading the Guvners post and replies re Thames boating. Sounds idyllic! SWMBO says "well post a question asking about costs on the river" OK,OK I'm doing it! (sheesh). Here we go: Boat Jeanneau MF625, a) is it suitable for the river, b) what would it cost to moor on a pontoon (side on is best for access, and c) we live in West Sussex so where would be best? By the way, my middle name is tight'un 'cos we're a bit skint, so would prefer not to be strung up (financially). Also what legal ie BSS cons. & use etc considerations are there? I'm asking as I remember the summer of '76 when the family hired a boat for a week and it was probably the best holiday we ever had. I look forward to the esteemed forumites replies with interest! Thanks in advance.

 

[Ramage]

Merry Fisher would be ok for Thames.

Cost at a marina with floating pontoons, good security etc would be around £2500 a year (can pay by installments).

Riverside moorings are sometimes available from people with riverside properties, security not good however and at mercy of flooding etc.

I moor at Bray (owned by MDL). Great marina and a very pretty part of the river.
http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-bray-marina/

 

[teddington_lock]

Could try Teddington Harbour - 0208 977 9978

Good access from W Sussex , not far ( 3 miles ) from the end of the M3 ...

Based in Teddington ( obviously ) pontoon moorings just outside the lock and in the weirstream ... they also have a smaller marina in Hampton Wick , near Kingston Bridge .

It's prettier upriver to be honest , but Teddington is a good base for if you are planning to do London , and to be honest it's only about 5 or 6 hours (ish) to Bray ...

If you are going to moor upriver the boat will need to be Thames licenced , if you give me the WxL i can work out what it will be if you like ?

Good luck

H

 

[apollo]

"it's only about 5 or 6 hours (ish) to Bray ..." Ahem about 8-9 actually even with the occasional slip of the throttles... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Ahhh but you cant park at Teddington can you . As soon as you pull up you get a parking ticket . Same in Twickenham . Up river is far nicer and no tidal problems unless in flood like most of last season /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[miket]

In my opinion the non tidal river divides into a number of sections, and you choose which suits your requirements;
Teddington - Staines - Urban (mainly houses with few rural breaks).
Staines - Maidenhead - Green belt commuter land (nice riverside houses and some fields).
Maidenhead - Oxford - rural with spaced towns and villages.
Oxford - Lechlade - rural with few villages. A smaller meandering river.
Your base may be influenced by the thiought that it takes half an hour in the car to drive 20 miles and about a day on the boat!!

 

[teddington_lock]

Plenty of places to park in Teddington , it's only Ferry Road that is residents only ..

Manor Road , Twickenham Road , Cambridge Road , Kingston Lane , Langham Road , St Winifreds Road etc etc .... all within 5 mins of the footbridge .....

No Tidal problems at Teddington that i'm aware about , other than it comes in and goes out twice a day . Between Teddington and Richmond there is a maintained level , controlled by Richmond Weir . Perfectly OK to cruise from Teddington to Richmond at any state of the tide.

8 or 9 to Bray ..... Hmmmm .... me and Richard used to do Harleyford to Teddington in 10 hours when delivering boats ....

The user guide ( based on sticking to the speed limit and not taking into account locks ) reckons just under 6 so , i guess 7 or maybe 8 is more likely ....

Oh well, just trying to help