Launch points on the non tidal thames

[Bigplumbs]

We would like to have a pootle along the non tidal Thames. We will be in a Honwave T38 ie2 as below. Have you any suggestions for good blow up and launch places with car parking near by. Also do you need any form of river licence

 

[oldgit]

................sure a few locals will be up and about at some point, bit early for the West London Navy ?
You can buy a daily registration ticket at any lock .
Personally think the lower reaches around Hampton Court or Windsor to be far more interesting for the casual visitor as opposed to the "pretty" bits further up. ?
In these days of the cult of the celebrity, the houses/castles of the rich and infamous can be spotted along with some immaculate lawns.
Lots to observe on the river bank here as opposed to the serried ranks of narrowboats and livaboards lining the pictureque fields further up.
The really good bit is an army of folks, who sole purpose in life is to assist boaters through those mysterious and complicated locks.
Alas, the days of the smart uniform is long gone, the start of a decline some would suggest.

 

[alfaman155]

Cowey Sale, Walton Bridge is a quite popular launch pad. Car park opposite the concrete ramp, cafe and toilets.

 

[Bran]

Good slipway in Windsor, next to A332 road bridge. Trailer parking under the bridge and car park at the adjacent leisure centre.

 

[Chris_d]

Remember the speed limit is 4.3knts

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Speaking of speed limits the EA are actively out looking for the foil surfboards. They are illegal craft and are not going to be tolerated on the River.

Bit of a cat and mouse situation but does need sorting out.

 

[Portland Billy]

The foil surfboards seem to like the stretch between Caversham and Sonning. So perhaps the EA could clear up the non paying liveaboards and overstayers on that stretch at the same time .
We live in hope !!

 

[Scapegoat]

Speaking of speed limits the EA are actively out looking for the foil surfboards. They are illegal craft and are not going to be tolerated on the River.

Bit of a cat and mouse situation but does need sorting out.

Have seen quite a few this year - Hampton Court, right by Molesly lock and by the HCP moorings, Egham / Runnymede. They go reasonably fast but don’t create much if any wash. Difficult not to watch….

 

[oldgit]

Speaking of speed limits the EA are actively out looking for the foil surfboards. They are illegal craft and are not going to be tolerated on the River.

Bit of a cat and mouse situation but does need sorting out.

Why ?.....any displacement boat exceeding the 8 kms will cause far more disruption and or damage especially to moored craft.
Perhaps some sort of resricted area for use similar to that in force for PWC .
Could see problems if PWCs started to feel they had the right to enjoy the The Thames at Sonning.

 

[Portland Billy]

I think licensing and insurance is more the issue with these craft.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

. There is a speed limit on the River. It is impossible to use an efoil for its designed purpose and remain within the speed limit.

Maybe efoil owners could have a user group and campaign for speed limit exemptions but I don't think it would work very well.

They are illegal. Its not complicated.
Get rid.


The point about watching them is interesting. Could be a dangerous distraction on a busy waterway and liable to cause unnecessary hazards and accidents.
They should not be on the River. Full stop.

 

[Chris_d]

At the moment the efoils we have seen on the river are very expensive at approx £6000 so not a big issue. However there are now lots of copy ones coming out at £400-£500 that will convert any paddle/surf board into an efoil. Likely even if you don't want a foiling version there will soon be e-powered paddle boards appearing that go slower but still fast enough to say break the speed limit.
This is a big emerging problem for the EA to sort out, not much point chasing the odd one at the moment they need to define them as PWC's and ban them putting signage up etc... if that is the way forward.

 

[Time Out]

They are fairly standard issue in the industry I work in.

They have also been known to swiftly remove limbs.

In my other world (the Thames!) the two around Kingston live above Taggs Island (maybe on) those two are actually quite skilled drivers.

But the impact will be high if they do hit something.

Which they will.

 

[lenten]

Cowey Sale, Walton Bridge is a quite popular launch pad. Car park opposite the concrete ramp, cafe and toilets.

if you are using a trailer lock it up---i always worried cowey sale for parking----slipway is short with a dropoff but should be ok to float your inflatable ---plenty of pubs a short distance away down stream--- above and below sunbury lock