Going Tidal Advice Needed

Mashby

Mashby

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Hi all,

Well I have decided to take the shetland up into the Tidal Thames. Leave Walton at first light and should hopeful get there mid afternoon. We are planning to go second weekend in Dec (weather dependent).


I was going to stay at St Kats however reading the reviews on the forum I think Limehouse is better bet (please correct me if Im wrong).Then again leave the next day at first light and head home.

Is there anything I should know about the Tidal Thames. Boat is equiped with VHF and GPS so that takes care of getting lost.

The boat is a 25ft with an Suzuki 40hp outboard on the back she will do about 9 knots flat out. Is that enough power to deal with the tides.

I have watched the video on the PLA site.

Couple of questions regarding the locking in procedures what are they?
Is they anywhere I can rent life jackets in the Thames area we will look a bit stupid wearing my kids finding nemo ones.

Regarding the tides I have looked at the charts but to be honest Im not realy sure which way the tides are going.So if someone could help there that would be appreciated.We are only going to go as far as the Barrier.

I might get to meet the infamous Teddington Lock if his on duty


Many thanks
Matt
 
This Weather ?

It can be bitterly cold at this time of year and the upper Thames will seem very sheltered compared with some of the open reaches on the lower part of the river.It also can be very lumpy down there and what with I presume an open wheel position and no cabin heating,my suggestion is that you leave this until spring.Good luck if you go but something the SAS would consider as a artic training sortie woukld not be my idea of fun.
Leave it till spring,the Thames and St Kats will still be there.:)
 
Oldgits advice is worth heeding !

However, if you do go, perceived wisdom is to exit Richmond half tide barrier as soon as it opens and make the first part of the trip against the end of the rising tide. You will then get maximum benefit from the falling tide for the major part of the trip down. ST Kats has a shorter window than Limehouse so another reason why I prefer Limehouse.

A three day trip is quite a good idea if you can arrange time for it. Limehouse on day one, short hop back up to St. Kats on day 2 and home on day 3.
 
Hi Guys,
My boat has a hard top and cabin heating so we are well prepared for cold. So unless is a raining cats and dogs we will going.Theres a good chance I wont be in the country next year so has to be done.

Thanks for tips so far keep em coming

Cheers
Matt
 
Limehouse also has a pontoon while you are waiting and is pretty well available for all sorts of boats - opening wise, except for very low spring tides as there's a bit of a shelf to get over.

Take care if you're turning upstream across the river as the Cats go "jolly fast" and may creep up on you unawares.
 
I do not want to be a wet blanket but would advise against going downriver (not UP) for the first time at this time of year. Also, I would strongly advise going in company with someone with more experience as it can be tricky.

If you go now, do not forget that it gets dark early. Although cruising in the dark can be fun it is a complication that you do not need for your first attempt.

To get to Limehouse, or any other London marina, you will have to work against the tide on the way down in order to arrive around high water. This means passing through Richmond near low water which can be tricky unless you know where the shallows are.

Also, the half-tide weir at Richmond will be open for the winter draw-off (see PoLA NTM 11 at http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/pdf/11_of_2010_w_-_Richmond_Lock_and_Weir_Draw-Off_2010.pdf) until 28 November which means very low water between Teddington and Richmond.

Please do not allow you other commitments to make you take unnecessary risks.
 
If you go to Limehouse, check out the Cruising Association's HQ in the marina - great for a drink and decent food and you'll get a friendly welcome :-)
 
The tidal Thames is the same river as the non tidal, perhaps busier, work out your speed over the ground taking into account the tide speed and direction. This will tell you what time you have to leave Teddington to arrive at Limehouse, St Kat's or South Dock. As with all boating, you will have to keep your eyes peeled for other boats, but you do this anyway. If you have a problem with your boat, the busy bit of the earlier statement now works in your favour, a club member got rope around his single prop, asked for assistance, and was under tow within five minutes. As for life jackets, buy some you will be back on the tidal Thames again, but according to all that is correct you should be wearing them even on the non tidal Thames.
I like the Thames in the winter, and I'm on old git as well.
 
Dave_Seager said:
I do not want to be a wet blanket but

To get to Limehouse, or any other London marina, you will have to work against the tide on the way down in order to arrive around high water. This means passing through Richmond near low water which can be tricky unless you know where the shallows are.
Click to expand...

For Limehouse, you don't have to push the tides at all
Limehouse is available all but one hour either side of low spring tide.
Even if you leave Teddington at High tide you will arrive in time.
 
Watch out for rubbish

Keep a good look out for jetsome and flotsome . We managed to pick up a kids anorack around the prop . RNLI were very good as were the Coast Guard . Check which channel the radio is on . Watch out for FAST water taxi's . St Kat's is the place to be but expensive . Watch the tide times . They go at 18.00 no matter what . If you get stuck you need a bolt hole . Greenwich Sailing Club near the Barrier has a pontoon . Bit rock and roll but its £10 a night . Have a GREAT Time .. WE DID .. :rolleyes: :D :) :cool:
 
The biggest thing to remember on the tidal river if you are not used to tidal waters is that you have to make sure that you can clear piers, buoys, bridges and moored vessels in plenty of time. Its not always obvious how much effect the tide is having, you can be onto a pier in no time at all.

The stretch between Blackfriars Bridge and Tower Bridge can get very choppy . You have the added complication of HMS Belfast and any ships that may be moored up against it. You will have to get out into the middle of the river pretty sharpish after passing under London Bridge. The river widens after Tower Bridge and the tide run isnt so fierce. Waves tend to be higher but longer and not so unnerving.

Dont let the above put you off though. I have done it several times in a heavy old rowing boat doing about 3 knots so you shouldnt have any probs. Have an auxilliary motor if you can though. Otherwise if your engine packs up you will be at the mercy of the tide and its not very merciful. Also beware of getting too close to moored lighters and barges. In a small boat, if you hit a swimhead barge head on you will go under rather than round it! Needless to say, lifejackets are a must. Make sure you get ones with crotchstraps., otherwise in the unlikely event that you have to use one they will ride right uo and not be very effective.

Greenwich Yacht Club is a bit further than you are planning to go and although it has a floating pontooon it can be a very uncomfortable place to spend the night in a light displacement boat. The Clipper boats will be doing quite a speed as they go past and have a very deep bow wave which will bash you about a bit. You also need to contact GYC well in advance as members have priority over its use unless a space has been booked. You will be welcomed if you want to make a visit. They have a strong motor boat section, so its not just full of 'yotties'. Club night is Tuesday and the bar is open Saturdays and Sundays. You should be able to get a meal too.

If you intend going as far as the barrier you need to inform Woolwich VTS of your intentions, when you get to the O2. If you dont they dont know if you are going through the barrrier and will start calling you to find out what your intentions are. Better to follow the rules and call them first.

There are two more Marinas on the Lower London section of the Thames at South Dock and Gallions Point. Neither are accessible at all states of the tide, but a re well worth considering as alternatives. Gallions Point is a couple of miles downstream of the Barrier, past the Woolwich ferry and South Dock is just a bit further than Limehouse Basin.

Opposite the O2 is the mouth of the River Lea. If you go up there you can join up with the Limehouse Cut. You need to time it with the tide though as it dries to a trickle at low tide.

As I said before don't let this put you off. Our greatest city is best viewed from the deck of a small boat on our greatest river.

9 knots is enough to stem the tide, but you will only do 6 or 7 knots over the ground if going against the tide at springs, possibly less in the Pool of London where it runs at its fastest. try and time your trip around neap tides where the tidal effect is much reduced.

Hope this helps.
 
Best to get a dual or tri watch set up on your VHF if you can, I have a tri-watch set up so I normally have the radio on channel 6 as the boats we travel with normally use this as a general channel to converse on, then also have it monitoring channel 14 for the PLA in that area, and also channel 16. Give the marina a call on the radio when you get around the Belfast or Tower Bridge area on channel 80 to let them know you are on the way and where you are so they can get the lock ready for you. I have some life jackets you can borrow, let me know when you are going and how many you are after and I'll drop them on the boat. Have a great trip!
 
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