First run in 08

[Gavi]

We took Shikara out today. I found it really exciting. I washed her down in the morning. Charged the batteries and checked the oil. We haven't been out since November.

A lovely run with some friends. A bit chilly as I still haven't figured out how to work the webasto.

What did baffle me was that we got a rant. Rather than go through PH, we went into the weir bit to have a look. There was little draw (B1 and I have had experience of when it is hairy there) so we went in and pottered around. SWMBO was very happy to look at new houses. Then a lady came out and ranted "you'll get pulled over the weir", "go away" etc etc.

I felt that the draw was fine and we pottered around with no problem. I would not have gone in otherwise. Was I wrong?

 

[Frontier]

It was your call. if you felt safe you probably were.

How many engines? You could get something around the prop or have an engine stop so I guess I would only do it with two or a backup outboard.

I wouldnt worry about it, you had a nice day and nothing went wrong.

 

[TrueBlue]

Some people -

are very protective about what they regard as "their river" and resent anyone "trespassing".

The truth is that you are free to navigate anywhere on the non tidal river (I'm sure Byron will correct me if I'm wrong). I suspect the very few "Private" notices have any basis in law, but as most such places are too small to explore we don't bother - perhaps if I could be bothered to drag the dinghy along, I'd have a go.

There are some lovely peaceful bits ignored by nearly everyone else which we use regularly. Sometimes we get a cheery wave, other times threats of awful consequences - as have you.

Downstream of weirs is much safer; at least the stream will carry you away, rather than "over" on the upstream side.

There is a saying - "cruise it or lose it". Very true - The non channel side of some islands are very overgrown and in a couple of cases are not navigable by powered craft. One in particular is the island just below Mapledurham, which should be dredged as the channel side is just too narrow if large vessels approach in opposite directions.

 

[teddington_lock]

Re: Some people -

Just a little caveat ...

If you are cruising up the weirstream , please don't get too close to the actual weirpool ....

Lots of debris , rocks , gravel bars , sunken trees etc in them .... i'm sure you guys know this already but please be careful.

IIRC Penton Hook weirstream is very picturesque and quite deep , but a couple of hundred metres downstream of the actual weir , it gets very shallow ( due to the scouring action of the weir and then being deposited downstream ) ...

The upstream side of Cookham weir is lovely , if you pop down the weirstream a few hundred feet there are some lovely deep water secluded moorings that not many people seem to know about .... had some lovely evenings there ...

Best wishes

H

 

[Brayman]

Re: Some people -

[ QUOTE ]

The upstream side of Cookham weir is lovely , if you pop down the weirstream a few hundred feet there are some lovely deep water secluded moorings that not many people seem to know about .... had some lovely evenings there ...


[/ QUOTE ]
Now you've let the cat out of the bag!

 

[teddington_lock]

Re: Some people -

Dammit !!

Didn't think that one through did I ? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Brayman]

Re: Some people -

Ah well, if we can't get a mooring down there in the season, we'll know who to blame!!!!

 

[apollo]

Re: Some people -

The lower Cookham weirstream from below is pretty good too!

 

[rr_123]

Re: Some people -

I'm guessing that Gavi was upstream of the weir, which shouldn't have too much detritus in it?

The residents down there do have a few issues with hirelings thinking that it might be a shortcut to avoid the lock, and they have certainly had to pull at least one distressed vessel/body out - shall dig out my copy of the newsletter, there was a vote of thanks for a couple who helped someone in distress, but can't recall whether they were on or off a vessel!

Truly gorgeous day to go out today, so I stayed inside and painted the cabin roof...