I am surprised...

[ChrisJBSC]

I have never cruised on the Thames before... So this year, as we have the opportunity, we have a boat at Bray Marina. This week, we are on holiday for a week, cruising down river, expecting a crowded waterway.

The first weekend is complete - the end of school half term, warm, sunny and a gorgeous weekend on the water. Yet, the Thames looks like this: Where is everyone ?

SORRY - No photo... and now the internet connection has gone. Still the photo looks great, sunny, dark blue water, and no boats around

 

[mlines]

dark blue water

You sure you have not moored in someones swimming pool?

 

[TrueBlue]

It's a strange river - given how many boats are registered. I talked to a boater once who keeps his in Bray and he admitted he just cruised between the two locks. Others just leave their boats in the various marinas.
It gets locally busier around the various Henley 'weeks' and August perks up a bit.

I think traffic is well down "year on year" and there's no real explanation.

 

[Actionmat]

I think traffic is well down "year on year" and there's no real explanation.

The cost is a factor. Wages, pensions, savings down or stagnant. The cost of boating increases year on year.
Traffic may be down, but the number of static public mooring hoggers is on the up.
Not good.

 

[rosssavage]

Good with me - less busy = less idiots about and shorter lock queues.

Although I am now in the camp considering selling my boat to invest in more property. What Actionmat says - really struggling to drop £800 pcm on a toy when that could be earning me money instead. Shame, I love my boat

 

[byron]

Various things have chased away the Thames users. The first nail in the coffin was the Boat Safety Scheme which has achieved nothing. Then the continual rising of costs, licence, mooring and fuel finally killed the river off.

 

[Mirror Painter]

It's a strange river - given how many boats are registered. I talked to a boater once who keeps his in Bray and he admitted he just cruised between the two locks. Others just leave their boats in the various marinas.
It gets locally busier around the various Henley 'weeks' and August perks up a bit.

I think traffic is well down "year on year" and there's no real explanation.

Except that the river is over run with a new generation of water 'travellers' who will not travel much but will nick your outboard and poo in the river.

 

[oldgit]

H,mm.
Does not the entire "Thames season" consist of the last week of July and the first of August before boaters are no longer able to endure the rigours of adventuring up to the nearest lock and back and retreat back into marina to watch their covers slowly turn turn green ?
See you all again in August then . OG.

 

[boatone]

H,mm.
Does not the entire "Thames season" consist of the last week of July and the first of August before boaters are no longer able to endure the rigours of adventuring up to the nearest lock and back and retreat back into marina to watch their covers slowly turn turn green ?
See you all again in August then . OG.

Its a great pity that the Dutch visiting the Medway are likely to be more peaceful than their compatriots way back when .......

 

[oldgit]

Its a great pity that the Dutch visiting the Medway are likely to be more peaceful than their compatriots way back when .......

They did in fact sail up and down the lower reaches of the Thames first... however not liking the looks of the locals and the prices at St Kats decided The Medway was a far more attractive prospect to invade and take pot shots at the fast retreating locals on the shore.