Henley Festival

Free. First come first served.

We usually get there on the Sunday tgat the regatta finishes to get a good spot - ALL the good spots are usually gone by weds morning (first day of the festival)

However, you can usually raft up against a kind soul for the night, and there is always space along the boons somewhere (the booms are over a mile long) BUT the spaces by then are a loooong way from the action!!

EA take a dim view of rafting up more than three abreast as the piles are temporary and not that well secured. You are not permitted to leave your boat unattended in case the booms give way (and in the 7-8 years I've been going I've seen two booms fail!!)

Best advice is turn up as early as you can...
 
Blimey. You get there on the Saturday and then stay put all week? Presumably you use a tender to get to and from the bank?

We were thinking of just going up for one evening so we'd have to take pot luck. Is rafting up a realistic option or is it awkward?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help.
 
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We've been on the last Saturday and turned up in the afternoon. You are further away from the stage, about 50yds downstream, but the stage has its back to the river, so you are not missing the view anyway. The volume has been fine but can't deny that you feel slightly detached from the action, but this has been ok for us as we avoid crowds. But you do get more wash here as boats depart at a rate of knots. Fireworks view is good.
 
Blackfeather said:
Blimey. You get there on the Saturday and then stay put all week? Presumably you use a tender to get to and from the bank?

We were thinking of just going up for one evening so we'd have to take pot luck. Is rafting up a realistic option or is it awkward?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help.
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Just pick your evening and take pot luck. the earlier in the evening the better in my opinion. There are always plenty of boats scrabbling around looking for someone to raft up to. Most boomers are friendly and will let you stay for the performance, many are not so keen for the overnight though. If you are planning on returning to your mooring, just beware the mad vessels of all sizes heading away from the festival after the fireworks in the dark. Take it easy and be well lit.
Good luck.
 
Brayman said:
J
just beware the mad vessels of all sizes heading away from the festival after the fireworks in the dark. Take it easy and be well lit.
Good luck.
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My pet hate is all the dopey people blinding each other and even ruining their own night vision with searchlights. Maybe it's time boat owners had an exam as to when and how Searchlights should be used.
 
Yeah, we make a week of it. In fact we usually go with three or four boats and stay :) many, many tenders - I usually take two! Watch out for our floating island this year :)

You will be fine just popping out for the night, but again earlier the better. Everyone is fine about rafting up, but there is a limit imposed by the EA of max three abreast. I've seen six abreast for a while, until the EA intervene!!
 
Blackfeather said:
Blimey. You get there on the Saturday and then stay put all week? Presumably you use a tender to get to and from the bank?

We were thinking of just going up for one evening so we'd have to take pot luck. Is rafting up a realistic option or is it awkward?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help.
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Racing at HRR finishes on SUNDAY. For someone advertising themselves as a charter vessel, you really don't know much do you?
 
Blackfeather said:
We were thinking of just going up for one evening so we'd have to take pot luck. Is rafting up a realistic option or is it awkward?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help.
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Will you be doing this with a charter of nine guests on board or just on your own? Not being funny but if you want to raft of somebody for commercial gain I think some compensation will be in order :)
 
Pump-Out said:
Racing at HRR finishes on SUNDAY. For someone advertising themselves as a charter vessel, you really don't know much do you?
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Strange how the website extolls the virtues of 550hp and 33kts, in a place the poor customers would never see 90% of either.

It just doesn't seem pertinent to the Boats uses... :ambivalence:
 
Look at the website he is offering a charter boat for 9 to cruise the Festival and Regatta for £1190 a day.
Simon not a problem but I think it's fair to state whether you are asking as a commercial operator or a private individual out for the night.
 
Chris_d said:
Look at the website he is offering a charter boat for 9 to cruise the Festival and Regatta for £1190 a day.
Simon not a problem but I think it's fair to state whether you are asking as a commercial operator or a private individual out for the night.
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Does it really matter?
At £1190 he's selling himself short going by some of the figures I've heard charged by friends of mine for regatta days on coded for 12.
Green eyed monster maybe by some,anyone can do it,just code your boat,pay the EA more money and then do the legwork:)
Overnighter for 9 on a 11m Rodman?:) me thinks not.
 
Blimey. The OP only asked a civil question and had a slip of the keyboard re Saturday/ Sunday. And if he is chartering, what business is it of anybody else. You'll all be sitting there full of wine and beer anyway, so what's the difference?

It's turned into a rather mean and nasty thread which does this forum no favours.
 
Well I'd be happy to have the OP alongside me, guests or not. Only problem is that I've got someone else planned to come alongside already!!

Welcome to pop over and say hello either way :)
 
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