How far can I go up the Wey ?

[normskib]

I was just Wondering how far I could get up the river way in my 27’ x 9 Viking cruiser before I ran into trouble with the width of the river and height of bridges ? could anybody help me with relevant information.

 

[boatone]

Many years ago now, but my then Norman 32 narrowbeam cruiser with sterndrive was able to reach the limit of navigation at Godalming. National Trust at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, should be able to provide details of bridge clearances etc.
According to Canalplan:
“ The maximum dimensions for a boat to be able to travel on the waterway are 71 feet and 6 inches long and 14 feet wide. The maximum headroom is 7 feet and 1 inch. The maximum draught is 2 feet and 11 inches.”

 

[ashtead]

Does not that not depend on how much water is in the Wey? I have walked along banks at Guildford and it seems to vary in terms of height and rates of flow .

 

[Gumpy]

I had Parglena right up to Godalming Wharf
Parglena was 51'x11'6" , 3' draft and 6'4" airdraft.
Broadford Bridge between Guildford and Godalming is the lowest at a nominal 6'4" clearance
Coming back there was only 6'3" clearance but thats a story for another time.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I've done the Wey to Godalming about ten times in various boats. All of these boats have been canal boats without wheelhouse or windscreen.

The canalplan air draft of 7ft1 is a bit optimistic. Broadford bridge is definitely closer to 6ft and I'm pretty sure it can be less than 6ft at times even during non flood conditions.

Best thing is just to go and see if you can get under the bridge. If you can't then you are not missing much anyway and at least with a short boat it's easy to just turn around.

It will be interesting to see how much a visitor ticket is. I think last time I did it which was about 3 or 4 years ago it was £100 for a week for a boat 40x9ft.

Not cheap but it is a very nice waterway. They don't have the clutter problem found on the lower Thames and the southeast canals. A totally different story.

 

[westernman]

I have done the Wey in a canoe starting almost from its source in a field. The early part was hardly wider than the canoe and sometimes not deep enough for the draft! At one time we went under a cow. The stream goes through the grounds of Charterhouse School which is were we camped one night. We broke a stringer just as we arrived at the "navigable" part hitting a submerged container.
We used a library book published in 1936 as our guide for the river. Information about various weirs and other hazards on the non-navigable bit.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I have done the Wey in a canoe starting almost from its source in a field. The early part was hardly wider than the canoe and sometimes not deep enough for the draft! At one time we went under a cow. The stream goes through the grounds of Charterhouse School which is were we camped one night. We broke a stringer just as we arrived at the "navigable" part hitting a submerged container.
We used a library book published in 1936 as our guide for the river. Information about various weirs and other hazards on the non-navigable bit.

Were you in a PBK?

 

[westernman]

Were you in a PBK?

Quite likely. It was a double kayak, canvas on stringer which belonged to my schools scout troop which had lent it to us for this D of E expedition.
D of E = Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

 

[ashtead]

I believe canoes have come to grief on the river wey after heavy rains so do check out conditions if attracted by tales of sub cow exploits.

 

[alfaman155]

I've done the Wey to Godalming about ten times in various boats. All of these boats have been canal boats without wheelhouse or windscreen.

The canalplan air draft of 7ft1 is a bit optimistic. Broadford bridge is definitely closer to 6ft and I'm pretty sure it can be less than 6ft at times even during non flood conditions.

Best thing is just to go and see if you can get under the bridge. If you can't then you are not missing much anyway and at least with a short boat it's easy to just turn around.

It will be interesting to see how much a visitor ticket is. I think last time I did it which was about 3 or 4 years ago it was £100 for a week for a boat 40x9ft.

Not cheap but it is a very nice waterway. They don't have the clutter problem found on the lower Thames and the southeast canals. A totally different story.

I believe a 3 day pass is about £30. You can do Weybridge>Godalming>Weybridge in that time. Remember to clear Thames Lock before 5.30pm on your way home as it closes then but that might be extended to 6pm in the Spring/Summer months.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

This is true. I just realised the reason I paid so much is I had the dink towing in the water behind me.

As for 3 or 7 day I like a bit of extra time but yes it can be done in 3 days no problem.