DIY dredging

[Gavi]

We took Ex Libris for a local spin last night. The Swan mooring was filled by two, er, boats so we moored on the opposite side. Now, I have watched that mooring often from the opposite side (you know where!) and have noted:

- big boats happily moor middle and to the end close to the bridge
- one of the park drunks fell in one day and was able to stand up (without falling over again) in the end closed to the park

As we got close to the centre I had a lot of beeping from the panel and mud out the back... then suddenly, we were in deep water again. It went from under 4ft to 6ft very quickly as we got by the mooring.

Do any old hands have a feel for what is happening on the Staines bank just under the bridge?

Am I rash to trust my skeg will deal with mud and weight with trolleys?

p.s. excellent meal in The Swan and superb service. I have been critical in the past so it is only fair to say when it is good.

 

[No Regrets]

Never touched the bottom yet, as both the Broom, and previous Birchwood have such modest draughts!

Perhaps I need a larger vessel, so I can enjoy such humbling post opportunities!

LOL

 

[rr_123]

St Aines (by the Slag and lettuce)

There's a lot of siltation caused by the bridge. The water speeds up between the bridge piers and causes a bit of scour, then as as soon as it widens again it deposits what it's scoured out!

The huge bollards and sheet piling suggest that you could moor the QE2 there, but it does, as you've found, get quite shallow.

If you get stuck, I'm sure you can find someone on one of the 850 million horsepower fly-bridgers who come out of PH for the weekend to pull you off, and if you're really lucky they may pull the boat out of the mud afterwards (c;

 

[Brayman]

If it's only mud then the skeg will be fine, a bit of mud thrown up by turbulence from the props is a good sign it is ok really.
It's a few years since I've been on there with my 4' draft but never had a problem when we were there.

 

[Ramage]

Thats the trouble with you John, you are shallow!!

 

[Chris_d]

You need to get Boatone to go in there first and clear the mud, he has the deepest draft on the whole river and clears a 4ft channel whereever he goes. Since B1's trip to Abingdon i've had no problems at usual shallow spots like Benson etc...

 

[bradtarga34]

If you get stuck, I'm sure you can find someone on one of the 850 million horsepower fly-bridgers who come out of PH for the weekend to pull you off, and if you're really lucky they may pull the boat out of the mud afterwards (c;

Very funny Rob