Inland boating?

[Artie]

I know I am spoilt in so far as I live in Guernsey some 2 miles from my boat and I have the advantage of a 6 hour window to use for entering or leaving the Marina but if there is no water when I wish to depart or come back I can leave it next door in the Harbour. There is also such a plethora of Islands or anchorages within 30 miles that it can be weeks or months before visiting a place a second time.
A mate of mine has recently got married and has gone to live just inside the non-tidal part of the Thames. This got me thinking - How would I cope going on the boat and either turning up river or down river, seeing the same reed bed, fields etc time after time after time?.
I know there must be a lot going for river or canal boating because so many people do it. So, if you have the inclination, please tell me where your enthusiasm springs from.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Artie on 17/11/2003 18:51 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[PhilF]

Came out from Penton Hook on the Thames to Sea for a 2 week holiday 2 years ago and never went back.
Does that answer the question. IMHO

Phil

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[Renegade_Master]

Came out of Penton Hook in Jan 2000, (popped back for a month in 2001), been at sea since, now in the med/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Chris771]

Gave up Inland boating about 14 years ago at the same time as I parted from the ex wife. The only reason I did it before was because she could not handle the lumps on the sea, perhaps that is why others keep to inland - their SWMBOs don't like the sea.

Chris

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[muchy_]

My SWMBO does not like the sea and so I am constrained to the rivers for now but I am working on her to try it.
Managed to get her on a short sea trip whilst on holiday in Devon which she quite liked so, fingers crossed!!!!!!

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[Renegade_Master]

Basically youve got it in one I reckon Chris. When I bought the Crown in late 1999 ironically it was the wife who said, "nice big boat like this, why not take it down to the sea".
So I take it down to Brighton, and turns out that anything over a F1-2 off Brighton, which in fairness is most of the time, and she hates it.. You see she cant walk about the cabin/galley in choppy seas and therefore has trouble carrying her VAT/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Artie]

From these replies it would seem that all non-tidal boaters are somewhat disillusioned.Shame really considering the cash, time and T.L.C. involved.

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[BrendanS]

Spent two years on the Thames at Wargrave. Really enjoyed it, though prospect of BSS was partiallly responsible for driving me away. Some really beautiful countryside, and very relaxed and peaceful. Wonderful evenings on remote parts of riverbank with friends, guitars, bottles of wine and campfire.

On the whole, I prefer the rough and tumble of sea boating, but there are occasions when I'd like to just teleport the boat to the river for the odd weekend - especially when the Henley Festival is on..listening to the concert and watching the fireworks from the middle of the river is way better than being ashore

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[TonyBrooks]

Sorry about the late reply.

The skipper gets off at Teddington, and goes by train to Limehouse, so going on the lumpy stuff is not a sensible option, especially as I would prefer to do it under sail - for the peace and quiet (well, some of the time anyway).

However true inland boating is a very different experience. When I leave the marina I can turn two ways - up or down "stream", 15 minutes one way & I gate another two choices, another hour or so and another two choices, another hour and anothetr two choices. All lead to a ring which means you can eventually return by a different route.

True, navigation is not difficult (as long as you can read signposts and the very occasional bouy/marker post), but the baoting can be "interesting" - try persuading 54' of slab sided tin to stay in the centre of a 16' cut with a strong croswind - especailly as its often with low power engines. Its also fun trying to get 15 tons of 7' wide steel past a ton or so of 7' grp inside a 15' wide tunnel - steel to steels ok - one just bounces off.

Turning round (winding) can also be interesting when other boaters, fishermen, or cross winds intervene. Few true inland boaters use ropes to any great extent, and even fewer are proficient in the use of springs in manouvering. Most prefer a dirty great pole.

The two big plusses are the peace of the countryside and the open air life, and the other boaters. The age profile is such that one usually meets friendlyness, courtasy, and a willingness to help one another.

I would also suggest that pond for pound one gets a lot more comfort on a true inland craft than on a sea going one - this can be important once you get to a certain age.

Its different, and I find in may ways more enjoyable than sea going. There is very little real danger if a small amount of common sense is used, you can just relax and enjoy.

A different pub every night and lunchtime - if you want, A barby under the summer stars in different countryside each night. Long country walks (pub inclusion optional) almost anytime, Shopping (for the skippers to enjoy) at major towns at least a couple of times a week - and every day at ordinary towns.

Do not forget that a couple of years ago a pair of inland boaters won an international cruising prize for the length of cruise to an event, beating off competition frm europe, for voyage from Liverpool to London - the evidence in their log was a bit odd though - supermarket tickets and such like

You do not know what its like until you try it - you might find it as enjoyable - but different - as I do.

Tony Brooks



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[martynwhiteley]

I think it's much more complex than just SWMBO's preferences.

1. Where you live

There's a balance to be struck between how quick you can get to your boat, and what cruising grounds you can explore. Living in North Lincs/East Yorks, your a bit stuck for too much sea work, unless your spending serious money on a largish boat. The only non-drying coast based marina between Teesside and the Wash is at Whitby, about a 2 1/2hr drive for me. There is of course Grimsby marina, but let's face it, unless your in a decent cruiser, equipped for a longish trip to Yarmouth or Whitby, there's little to temp you to negotiate the troublesome Humber mouth very often.

Fortunately, the Humber, Ouse and Trent do provide a comprehensive 'inland' cruising area. Failing that your doing the regular Windermere stint like MedDreamer, or the long haul South.

2. Budget

If you want more accomodation than a sports cuddy, then unless your based in a nice Solent or North Wales type location, your not going to want to venture far in a sub £30K boat.

3. Kids

It's not only SWMBO's that enjoy the more interactive and calmer environment on inland cruising, it can suit the kids better too.

4. Training

Let's face it, most of us cut our teeth on the rivers before venturing offshore.

5. Scenery

Nothing quite compares with passing through many of our top tourist cities via the river, York, London, etc.

Then you find the most surprisingly beautiful areas hidden amongst industrial wasteland. I was amazed how nice it was at Sprotborough just South of Doncaster.

But the traditional 'hire' locations have a lot to offer, Caledonian Canal for example.

6. Last and certainly not least. PUBS!!!!

Don't need to expand on that one!

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[miket]

Been boating on non tidal Thames in some form or another from early 60's. (year not age, even if I do have a Broom)

Completely different style of boating.
Primary reasons for using river are Scenery, Social life and tranquility.
Spend far more time moored and socialising/ idling than boating.

Still very much enjoy the annual holiday in Holland, Belgium and/ or France, but usually return to river.

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[Andrew_Fanner]

SWMBO says "back inland" until the children are a bit bigger and the smallest one will sit still (she's only 19months) so back to the Thames/K&A for a bit. The pubs are an attractive prospect, especially remote ones where the clock doesn't work too well

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