doing the tidal thames

As a complete novice:

I would imagine you can leave at an appropriate time to catch the best tides, and, that you can do Bray to Tedd in under a day.

All you need is the tides, and a good pub /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
On our escape from the Forum meet 2008, we left Shepperton 8.30 am ish and arrived at Teddington about mid afternoon after a very rainy trip.
Loads of easy to come alongside moorings on right hand immediately above lock.
Nip down to lock and ask what time lock will open on following day to enable you go straight through Richmond barrier en route to St Kats.
You could moor up at Hampton Court(if space)but do not bet on it.
Lock about 1 hour further on.

During evening wander into Teddington High St.(see lockies website) and eat in the old fashioned Italian located about half way along.Basic fixed menu is a bargain + nice bottle of wine.Yes and we all know Boatone found it first.
Lockkeepers are very helpful and friendly even when you drag them out of a warm office at 4.30 am and regale them with exciting stories of your trip upriver and bashing your props etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ps.Go to St Kats its all happening place dude and loads to do and places to go.

Avoid Limehouse like the plague,itsa dump in the middle of a wasteland ,full of the sort of people who think narrow boats are neat and like to discuss knots at some length well into the night also unless you think that the main truck road to Essex is a magic place to eat your curry burger & reconstituted potato style chips you may well also starve to death while being enthralled by tales of sheepshanks and bowlines.
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Actually there are two decent eateries within walking distance but stick to St Kats anyway.
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PPs and while we are at it ......its for a trip " down" the tidal thames
 
Agree with Fred, St Kats is a brilliant stop, a bit of a palaver to get in and out of so aim to stay couple of days to make it worthwhile.
 
St Kat's is a great trip, it would be a very memorable first run down the tidal Thames for you that's for sure. A VHF course and radio would be a good idea, as mentioned previously, it is very handy to communicate with the lock keepers at St Kat's and also you can get an idea of what they are planning with any other boats coming in or going out of St Kat's. The marina's work on a duplex channel, which seems a bit odd as you can hear the lock keeper but if he is talking to another boat you can't hear the other boat's conversation. Tom at Bisham Abbey is very good, he actually won an award for best instructor a year or 2 ago. Debris is always a concern in the river, you can't do anything about it but just have to be very aware and keep a good lookout as all manner of sorts to be come across.
 
I did it myself twice last year. Both times from Penton hook. Ist trip I spent three days overnighting at Tedders and Gallions. The second trip I did in two days overnighting in Gallions and staying at the Premier Inn, Excel.

It really is a fantastic way to see London and is very very easy. As always with boats it could go tits up very quickly though so either take a VHF or a mobile and a list of numbers.

The only time I used the VHF was for the Thames barrier although it is very clear which span to use if you press on without the radio.

Good Luck and have fun !!

Billy
 
You have received some good advice in the above posts. I have done the trip a few times in a similar style of boat to yours in various conditions.
Although not a legal requirement for VHF on a boat your size, I would definitely recommend it and do the exam as well.
For a first trip see if you can join up with another boat/s who have been before. For a more gentle journey, watch the weather predictions, pick a calm period and leave Teddington early in the morning to coincide with tidal windows at St Kats or Limehouse.
Limehouse has a much longer window of time to arrive, and is much easier to get into than St Kats, you call them on the radio around Tower Bridge, and they have the lock ready and waiting for you. Ones opinion of the area is personal, we have always had a good time both at Limehouse and St Kats.
British Waterways have a free publication aimed at leisure boaters for the journey, with pictures of all the bridge profiles and navigation information between the various bridges, what to look out for, what horn signals to make when turning etc, which is well worth obtaining. I expect BW staff at Brentford Lock could supply one.
A good trip is to do Limehouse on day one and then move up to St Kats for the rest of your stay.
Advance booking at St Kats and Limehouse is definitely recommended, and it is a fantastic trip and the best way to visit London.
The non tidal river [which may have daunted you previously having read your earlier posts] when you get back through Teddington lock seems very tame by comparison.
Prepare and enjoy
 
Go on the VHF course at Bisham and ask them about a boat handling course, install a VHF unit as it will come in handy if you do some incompany sailing.

As others have said good mooring up from Teddington lock, plenty of eateries and refueling stations nearby so bring loads of beer tickets.

Fuel up before at Shepperton as it can very entertaining refueling on the tidal fuel floating stations.

St Kats and Limehouse are both great overnight stop, both close to eateries/pubs, public transport. LH has a nice yacht club that does food. Galloins point marina is the one in a wasteland. You can also stop at South Dock can't comment as I've never stopped there.

To be prepared for the busy river traffic, some of it very fast moving. the ribs come from nowhere and enjoy hitting you wakes and then leave a huge one of there own.

Lots to see on the way so have your camera ready.

Don't worry too much on having one engine as I have two and lost one coming up river with the tide and had great fun getting into Limehouse on one. Lazy Days has only one rudder so on one she will only stear well one way, I had to pass LH entrance do a turn to port and use the tide to give me stearage and it was great fun trying to get onto a finger berth.

Do as much sailing before to get a good feeling for your craft, try manovers over and over again both with and against the flow. Do some achor drills and mooring up on the move, IE at 3-4 knotts.

Last of all ENJOY IT.
 
One of our members went from our club to Bristol channel, via canals, and returned
via sea. You might be able to do the same. To enjoy the Thames. Or ask a tidal Thames forumite for a run on the Thames when you come to London on the train. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would LOVE do go through London in my boat!

Just like Uncle Albert did in Fools & Horses!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he went 'Under' London just about Wandsworth bridge.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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