BG1
Well-Known Member
I've been boating on the Thames for more than 37 years.
When I managed to buy the boat of my dreams over 21yrs ago, it was fantastic, even though I was up to my neck in debt. When the BSS was introduced, I felt this was bureaucracy too far, and I changed fresh water for salt and found new cruising grounds on the south coast.
But alas, I couldn't keep up with MDL's business plan of squeezing every last penny out of the boater, so I returned to the Thames, bit the bullet, and spent hundreds of pounds converting a very seaworthy boat into a very riverworthy boat.
I now find myself at a crossroads again. I'm accepting the licence fees increase, I'm accepting the reduced level of service, (working the locks myself), I'm even accepting our fellow river visitors from the canals (through clenched teeth), but now I find I can't moor in places that previously were always OK.
Marsh Meadow at Cookham has been dodgy for depth for some time if you can't get the right spot. I found that out earlier in the year with my brand new shiny props, when they started to plough the bankside gravel.
Now I find even Bell Rope Meadow is shallow and wants to reprofile my props.
With the increased cost of fuel looming, (although it's pretty horrific at present), I think my sea cruising days are over, the river is too restrictive, either flood or drought, so I'm thinking maybe a coastal harbour would be better.
Chichester or Poole spring to mind, sheltered water, so low(ish) fuel consumption, but near enough to the open sea for a quick burst to clear the cylinders (and reinstate the smile). No river licence just an inflated marina fee and increased travelling time and costs, but I am considering it.
What would you do? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
When I managed to buy the boat of my dreams over 21yrs ago, it was fantastic, even though I was up to my neck in debt. When the BSS was introduced, I felt this was bureaucracy too far, and I changed fresh water for salt and found new cruising grounds on the south coast.
But alas, I couldn't keep up with MDL's business plan of squeezing every last penny out of the boater, so I returned to the Thames, bit the bullet, and spent hundreds of pounds converting a very seaworthy boat into a very riverworthy boat.
I now find myself at a crossroads again. I'm accepting the licence fees increase, I'm accepting the reduced level of service, (working the locks myself), I'm even accepting our fellow river visitors from the canals (through clenched teeth), but now I find I can't moor in places that previously were always OK.
Marsh Meadow at Cookham has been dodgy for depth for some time if you can't get the right spot. I found that out earlier in the year with my brand new shiny props, when they started to plough the bankside gravel.
Now I find even Bell Rope Meadow is shallow and wants to reprofile my props.
With the increased cost of fuel looming, (although it's pretty horrific at present), I think my sea cruising days are over, the river is too restrictive, either flood or drought, so I'm thinking maybe a coastal harbour would be better.
Chichester or Poole spring to mind, sheltered water, so low(ish) fuel consumption, but near enough to the open sea for a quick burst to clear the cylinders (and reinstate the smile). No river licence just an inflated marina fee and increased travelling time and costs, but I am considering it.
What would you do? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
