mlines
Well-Known Member
Or buy a boat sized for the river? 
Dipping under a bridge
- Thread starter thejonesey
- Start date
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
I have done that bridge many times on many very tall craft (when i worked at Harleyford / Shepperton) It will be very tight, so tight you can almost man handle it underneath but you will be fine.
We have..
Taken screens off (Tedd lock has a pick somewhere)
Unscrewed the little red balls of the Morse controls
Taken them out of gear and given it revs only
Asked the lockie to drop the water (that was a large trawler)
Just approach it very slowly and all will be fine...oh and take a pic oh and get the person who is taking the pic to duck..
Its like going into a car park with a Range Rover...
We have..
Taken screens off (Tedd lock has a pick somewhere)
Unscrewed the little red balls of the Morse controls
Taken them out of gear and given it revs only
Asked the lockie to drop the water (that was a large trawler)
Just approach it very slowly and all will be fine...oh and take a pic oh and get the person who is taking the pic to duck..
Its like going into a car park with a Range Rover...
boatone
Well-Known Member
Bet you are beginning to wish you'd never asked ? 
I have yet to find a way of measuring air draft accurately as it moves around, fuel and water tank status makes a big difference as does number of crew and position on board. Draft also needs to be considered but probably not in the case you are exploring.
Others have mentioned taking bits off, hinging radar arch etc. At best, you have a situation where approximate air draft and approximate bridge clearance may make life "interesting"
What no-one has said with any seriousness with regard to the the "throttle it" approach is "yeah, go for it, its a doddle "
This is one of those times in life when you need to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis, consider your options and make a decision.
If it was me I would tootle up to Cookham on a quiet day - with a lockie on duty - and gently approach the bridge with a couple of reliable friends on board so that you can witness reality. At worst decide "no go". At best you find there's more leeway than you expected and wonder what all the fuss was about as you enjoy a bevvy at The Bounty.
Do let us know how you get on ! - and don't forget the pictures !
I have yet to find a way of measuring air draft accurately as it moves around, fuel and water tank status makes a big difference as does number of crew and position on board. Draft also needs to be considered but probably not in the case you are exploring.
Others have mentioned taking bits off, hinging radar arch etc. At best, you have a situation where approximate air draft and approximate bridge clearance may make life "interesting"
What no-one has said with any seriousness with regard to the the "throttle it" approach is "yeah, go for it, its a doddle "
This is one of those times in life when you need to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis, consider your options and make a decision.
If it was me I would tootle up to Cookham on a quiet day - with a lockie on duty - and gently approach the bridge with a couple of reliable friends on board so that you can witness reality. At worst decide "no go". At best you find there's more leeway than you expected and wonder what all the fuss was about as you enjoy a bevvy at The Bounty.
Do let us know how you get on ! - and don't forget the pictures !
My She
Well-Known Member
We saw one Broom hit Marlow bridge two days ago but water has subsided a bit now.
thejonesey
Well-Known Member
I think you have summed it up Tony! All my boating life I have taken it nice and slow and don't think now is the time to change!!
I thought that giving it some revs seemed somewhat brave/ foolhardy and would rather take things off to lower the height as suggested by Richard et al.
I know she's not a river boat but I will move back to the coast in the next five years and then she will come into her own.
Thanks to all for the advice and have a good summer.... I will ring the Lockie and check the headwater height when we make the trip ..... and take a camera!!
I thought that giving it some revs seemed somewhat brave/ foolhardy and would rather take things off to lower the height as suggested by Richard et al.
I know she's not a river boat but I will move back to the coast in the next five years and then she will come into her own.
Thanks to all for the advice and have a good summer.... I will ring the Lockie and check the headwater height when we make the trip ..... and take a camera!!
oldgit
Well-Known Member
It that time again
To wheel out Oldgits proper low bridge picture
And while not wishing to start a fight ...adding best part of a ton of fuel and water to my old P33 merely lowered it by an 1" or so into the water.
To wheel out Oldgits proper low bridge picture
And while not wishing to start a fight ...adding best part of a ton of fuel and water to my old P33 merely lowered it by an 1" or so into the water.
Sulley
Well-Known Member
Rob, go and speak to Searenity on the other side of the marina I know they do that regularly! It's a F43 same as you.
Don't tell him I sent you or he'll just have mean things to say
Don't tell him I sent you or he'll just have mean things to say
Gumpy
Well-Known Member
A few years ago up the river Wey This was tight!
Had to give it all 120 horses and the wheelhouse still scraped on the bridge
Had to give it all 120 horses and the wheelhouse still scraped on the bridge
thejonesey
Well-Known Member
I am feeling a lot better about limited airdraft... Great pictures!