First trip on to tidal thames

Enterprise6

Enterprise6

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Weve had the boat for 4 season now and done pretty much the strech of river from Chertsey up river to Benson and beyond and now looking to take trip into London with an over night at St Kats dock.

Can anyone of you more experianced gents or ladies let me know how long to get there from Marlow and whats the best state of tide to leave teddington lock so that you get into St Kats.

Thanks for you help
 
The rough rule-of-thumb I use is to leave Richmond lock just as the tide is coming in, ensuring you have enough water in the channel for the first few 100 metres (aim for the black spire as I recall). Then based on a steady cruise - 7knts, then maybe 10 later on, you should be at St Kats for the first lock in. Obv make allowances for Spring or Neap tides.

If you carry a lot of airdraft, beware of Hammersmith bridge!

Also, when leaving St Kats, take the first lock out and carry the tide up with you

Enjoy
Mark
 
I would plan to go for more than one night, its a bit of a palava to get there and in through the really slooow lock (!) for just one night.

From Harleyford worth making a week's trip out of it.

If you leave at the crack of dawn, your crew will probably be getting tired and irritable by Shepperton so you need a comfortable day and a half to Teddington (preferably two - this is supposed to be fun)

Agree with MarkC, I usually use a standard tide table and leave Teddington at the time quoted for HW London Bridge GMT (yes, GMT) which is approx 2 hrs before HW Teddington and gets you to the Richmond barrier for lifting and normally punch the tide to Wandsworth when it changes to going with you.

Then prey for no rowers so you can punch the tide as much as possible to get there in time for the lock.

Worth mentioning that its easier to do Limehouse the first time as it has a much bigger tidal window, and then you are only half a mile from St Kats to go in there on the way back.

Also worth advising you to go with another boat the first time.

This is because your boat has been tootling along in tickover on the upper thames and putting load on it for the first time may cause something to break or at the very least the fuel filters will be clogged by the stirring of the fuel tank.

No need to panic when you have company.

Have a good trip.

Mike
From a fellow resident of Harleyford (and c.s.g...)
 
Thanks Mark, very useful information particually the go with another boat.

Im sure Ive seen your boat around Harleyford, but I didnt know you were in CSG too

Regards

Guy
 
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