Just wondering?

[biffothebare]

Hi all!
This is my first post here, although I've been reading the forums for months, and I'd like to say hello to you all.
I do have a query, however, on which I hope you could enlighten me.
I was intending to "sail/helm whatever" my motorboat along the Yare, down the East coast and up the Thames to see the lovely scenes I read of in April's MBM.
I was sitting planning it all in my head when it suddenly struck me.( I tried to duck
but it did no good!) I've never seen pleasure craft of our sort in the Pool of London, or any where between Southend and Kingston come to that. Are we banned??

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[duncan]

Welcome Mick,

Not sure I understand your question re the Pool of London - generally the Thames is navigable by craft that are suitable for the purpose (capable) rather than any 'rule'. I can't comment on your boats suitablility as I don't know the make.

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[whisper]

Yes, welcome. If your boat is suitable for short coastal trips necessary to get there then there's no reason why you can't go up the Thames.

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[BarryH]

Plenty of "private" boats on the Thames go thru the Pool. Watch the ferries though. Your invisible to them, well my boat was. Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm>http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm</A>. Not what it would appear at first glance but a good interesting read none the less

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Welcome to the forum. Many small craft make the journey through London on the tidal Thames and, indeed, it is the best way to see London. There are a number of marinas in London which can be used as an overnight stop or as a base to see the city. There are speed and wash regulations to observe and you will have to do detailed tidal planning to ensure that there is sufficient water to reach Teddington and that you can get under certain low bridges like Hammersmith. Also you need to keep a radio watch on Woolwich Radio and request permission to pass through the Thames Barrier
Be aware also that the Thames flows very fast through London particularly on the ebb and lifejackets should be worn at all times

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[biffothebare]

Re: duncan

Thanks for your reply,
Sorry, what I really meant was whether 4 berth cabin/sports cruisers of 24-40ft are allowed to just sail straight up the Thames past Canvey Island, Dartford Bridge,
Isle of Dogs,Tower of London, Houses of Parliament etc. I mean, I've never seen any. Mine's a 24ft Palomino 4berth by the way. No I'd never heard of it either.
Has anyone? Could you tell me anything about these boats? Thanks

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[biffothebare]

Re: just wondering

Wow!! thanks to you all for the responses and the tips. It looks like I can carry on planning the trip then!!

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[oldgit]

Re:Keep your wits about you.

Main thing I found is to keep a good look out.In the lower reaches(Canvey) it will be large vessels sneaking up on you from behind.At Gravesend it will be ships and tugs doing exactly the same.Around Dome up to Tower bridge bit although you have to watch speed,the tourist cats flagrantly do not.In any case watch the wash. The wave from a tug on his way home in a hurry will like hitting a brick wall OK if you are ready for it but if not!
St Kats is really nice but ring first to find when they will be locking in to avoid getting jiggled about too much while waiting outside.Watching a big 55ft azimut being thrown about while stuck outside the lock was a good enough lesson for me. lesson.Having said all that you cannot get lost and it is great fun going past the HMG gaff.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[Johnnygil]

Hi Biff

Welcome, my first ever trip in my own boat was down the medway and up the Thames to Henley (wargrave). Mate what an experiance going down the Medway you come to the Isla of Sheppey on your right with Shoeburyness opposite and thats when we turned left.

Under Dartford bridge, past the Woolich Ferry thro the Barrier round the Isle of Dogs and thro City of London it is amazing you have to be careful of the river trip boats cos when they see a small craft (pleasure) they put their foot down and watch the wash my mates bottle of Bud ended down his clothes.

We were punching against the tide all the way up the Thames and clinkec bottom right outside Craven Cottage (Fulhams ground) so eased of the juice and took it more slowly so that keel was level

We left Maidstone at 8:00 am and berthed outside Hampton Court Palace around 8:00pm

Left the next day at 9:00am and made Henley at 8:00pm, the next day it was just a 1/2 hour run to Wargrave.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and cant wait to do it again although this time a bit more sedately.

Remember take a camera and loads of films cos the trip up the Thames is just wow
what a great city London is.

All the best

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[Andrew_Fanner]

My first trip on the Tideway was in a 20' Norman Conquest from Teddington to Limehouse, coming back the following day.

Do watch out for the trip boats, they seem to regard you as fair game (can I spill his drink/flood his cockpit) and the PLA and river police are not that worried by them, complaining didn't get much sympathy and a "what were you doing on the river" attitude.

Large vessels are _supposed_ to be signalled at bridges by an isophase light indicating which arch they are taking. Supposed... But it is all worth while to see London in a very different way. I plan to be doing this May BH weekend on passage from Chichester Harbour to Sunbury, so its tide planning this evening.

Has anyone got into St Kats from Ramsgate in one hit, without blasting along at 20+ knots. Intended route is Margate Roads/Four Fathom Channel inshore way. I'm reckoning that upstream of the Barrier about 8-10 knots is absolute max.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Nat]

Welcome to the Forum
Most things have been covered by other posters & its true about the commercial pleasure craft they are absolute pigs and take great pleasure from causeing as much wash as possable so give them a wide berth, Also if you go towards westminster you are sure to be boarded by plod (new anti terroist measures) so make sure you have relevent ID ect
..............................................................Nat


<hr width=100% size=1>2655 ! You can tell me, I'm a Docter !

 

[biffothebare]

Thank You all once again for your replies. It really does seem that the trip will be
an adventure of note.

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