I am crazy...dingy on The Thames!

Yeah, I'm with you Watson! What did they say to Amelia Earhart about flying across the Atlantic solo? If she can do it, then the O/P can take a dinghy on the Thames. It might get a bit soggy, it might sink, it might get a bit hit by a Thames Clipper, or he may be fine.

I reckon it could be a bit of fun... get high tide slack water, stay close to the bank, awesome!!

Seriously, don't do it until you've had some practice somewhere non-tidal and safe. But people row across the Atlantic - good lifejacket, what's the worst that could happen?? ;)
 
rosssavage said:
Yeah, I'm with you Watson! What did they say to Amelia Earhart about flying across the Atlantic solo? If she can do it, then the O/P can take a dinghy on the Thames. It might get a bit soggy, it might sink, it might get a bit hit by a Thames Clipper, or he may be fine.

I reckon it could be a bit of fun... get high tide slack water, stay close to the bank, awesome!!

Seriously, don't do it until you've had some practice somewhere non-tidal and safe. But people row across the Atlantic - good lifejacket, what's the worst that could happen?? ;)
Click to expand...

He dies, and wouldn't come back to tell us how bad it was and how stupid he was,
 
Yeah, I'm with you Watson! What did they say to Amelia Earhart about flying across the Atlantic solo? If she can do it, then the O/P can take a dinghy on the Thames. It might get a bit soggy, it might sink, it might get a bit hit by a Thames Clipper, or he may be fine.

I reckon it could be a bit of fun... get high tide slack water, stay close to the bank, awesome!!

Seriously, don't do it until you've had some practice somewhere non-tidal and safe. But people row across the Atlantic - good lifejacket, what's the worst that could happen??
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head there, she didn't have to contend with the Clippers!

Other than the currents, traffic is one of the key dangers/obstacles on the tidal thames.
 
Again, thanks for the replies. I do appreciate this is dragging on slightly, however it is just my enthusiasm and I guess uneducated view that is tempting me. I've must have watched too many films where the man rides the Jet Ski across the scenic city river with a beautiful woman holding on behind:D Me with my £50 dinghy obviously wants to do that on the cheap!

In terms of the city part of the Thames, i.e where you can see things like the London Eye etc, I wasn't planning or wanting to set sail and travel at a great distance or speed through the river, the idea was to stay close by in a small area and see the sights that way on a nice day. I understand this is viewed to be unfeasible. It could also be nice to do that on the non-tidal section however it appears as a novice I am under estimating the amount of rowing and hard work it will take to go anywhere. What way does the tide flow? Would it be better to start from out to in i.e Bishams Abbey towards Teddington or vice versa?

It's the local large ponds for me tomorrow and I'll take it from there....
 
Well, to start with, Bisham to Teddington is in to out! If you ever get to the tidal Thames then out to in is obviously safer. You really ought to try the Lee first, then the upper Thames, then when you get a bigger boat, try a little of the tidal part (upper end).
 
Well everyone is being very polite. But the bottom line is if you want to cruise on the Thames get a boat not a toy; which seems to be what the OP has. Like Byron said this appeared to me so ridiculous that it had to be a troll and I am still not sure it isn't.
There are people who need to be protected from themselves but I am surprised we are still encouraging a person who purports to be Dutch
to take his inflatable toy on the Thames be it tidal or non tidal. Are we going to encourage him to jump off Bridges next!
Surely its a troll !!!!!
 
Brayman said:
Well, to start with, Bisham to Teddington is in to out! If you ever get to the tidal Thames then out to in is obviously safer. You really ought to try the Lee first, then the upper Thames, then when you get a bigger boat, try a little of the tidal part (upper end).
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Cheers, understand what you mean...I was using the terminology as in into London and out of London.
 
dash300 said:
Well everyone is being very polite. But the bottom line is if you want to cruise on the Thames get a boat not a toy; which seems to be what the OP has. Like Byron said this appeared to me so ridiculous that it had to be a troll and I am still not sure it isn't.
There are people who need to be protected from themselves but I am surprised we are still encouraging a person who purports to be Dutch
to take his inflatable toy on the Thames be it tidal or non tidal. Are we going to encourage him to jump off Bridges next!
Surely its a troll !!!!!
Click to expand...

Apologies my knowledge of rivers and boating/swimming/dingy'ing up and down the Thames isn't my strong point hence why I came to this forum. I can also only apologise for buying a £45 dinghy and trying to plan a nice day. I'll sell my car and come back when I have something that meets the criteria to ask questions on a forum.
 
Flyingdutchman10 said:
Apologies my knowledge of rivers and boating/swimming/dingy'ing up and down the Thames isn't my strong point hence why I came to this forum. I can also only apologise for buying a £45 dinghy and trying to plan a nice day. I'll sell my car and come back when I have something that meets the criteria to ask questions on a forum.
Click to expand...

I rest my case M'lud.:)
 
Flyingdutchman10 said:
Apologies my knowledge of rivers and boating/swimming/dingy'ing up and down the Thames isn't my strong point hence why I came to this forum. I can also only apologise for buying a £45 dinghy and trying to plan a nice day. I'll sell my car and come back when I have something that meets the criteria to ask questions on a forum.
Click to expand...

Don't do that. DO try the upper Thames first. People swim in it safely (including me) so there is no problem with a dinghy.

Tidal London really is out for the moment, but if you really like an adventure, get some experience, and re-asses. People climb mountains, row across oceans etc etc.. but they're all VERY good at what they do first.

I'm off to the tidal Thames next month, and in my twin engined 40' cruiser I will be wearing a lifejacket, have a passage plan taking into account tides, first destination, alternate destinations, VHF frequencies of London VTS and the marinas I may want, an almanac, etc...

It IS doable, just not yet, and only if you REALLY have the stomach for it once you get some hours under your belt. And probably a slightly better boat..;)
 
rosssavage said:
Don't do that. DO try the upper Thames first. People swim in it safely (including me) so there is no problem with a dinghy.

Tidal London really is out for the moment, but if you really like an adventure, get some experience, and re-asses. People climb mountains, row across oceans etc etc.. but they're all VERY good at what they do first.

I'm off to the tidal Thames next month, and in my twin engined 40' cruiser I will be wearing a lifejacket, have a passage plan taking into account tides, first destination, alternate destinations, VHF frequencies of London VTS and the marinas I may want, an almanac, etc...

It IS doable, just not yet, and only if you REALLY have the stomach for it once you get some hours under your belt. And probably a slightly better boat..;)
Click to expand...

Yes all very good advice in general but we are talking to a person with a supermarket dinghy!! Have I missed something?:confused:
 
dash300 said:
Yes all very good advice in general but we are talking to a person with a supermarket dinghy!! Have I missed something?:confused:
Click to expand...

Why are you behaving like a prat? I'm going to defend my little supermarket dinghy here. It may only be a £50 dinghy but once inflated I was actually impressed by it's size and sturdiness. It's obvious that it won't to very well in rough water, but it is more than good enough to sit on a lake, calm river, large ponds etc so I don't know why you are acting like you are Mr billy big shot with a mega yacht.

The reviews seem to be good and many state that they have used it for fishing, in lakes, on the San Francisco bay etc. I'm not looking to cross the Atlantic, I'm looking to have a nice afternoon in the sun, so if you don't have anything worthwhile to say then don't bother.
 
Crikey whats wrong with everybody, stop feeding the Troll...

Launch just opposite Westminster Palace at high tide and head over toward the House's of Parliament, if you survive the crossing some nice men in a black Rib will come and advise you on your boat purchase.
 
Chris_d said:
Crikey whats wrong with everybody, stop feeding the Troll...

Launch just opposite Westminster Palace at high tide and head over toward the House's of Parliament, if you survive the crossing some nice men in a black Rib will come and advise you on your boat purchase.
Click to expand...

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
OK, look you seem to think you'll find a nice sunny 'calm' (ROFLMFAO) day in the pool of London (Near Houses of Parliament)

This is the main issue. It's right in the middle of a tidal conflict, where lots of big fast boats are whooshing up and down, turning and mooring. You get the occasional Police launch whizz by at 30kts on a shout, and trust me, you don't want to be in a 30 footer when that happens, let alone an oversized armband.

If you had suggested it in a 14' cabin boat, the responses would have been 'Are you sure' with other advice on how to do it safely.

The advice you have been given is good, but you have treated it in a glib fashion, so have attracted abuse in a minor way, thats how forums work.

So, to sum up: Forget the tidal Thames, and after you have had some pleasant days on the Lee and Stort, progressing up to the UPPER Thames, and been thrown about a bit by passing boats, then go down to Tower Bridge without your boat, and look at the water, and whats happening.

Knowing what you know at THAT point will help you understand why you have been thus advised.

For the record, I have a 2.6 metre inflatable with an outboard, and even with VHF and lifejacket I would only use it if the other boat was sinking...
 
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