London/Thames Winter Mooring

[Jean]

I spotted a request for information from another web site and looking for some advice regarding the following (from Andrew across the pond):
I'm planning on a trans atlantic by sail. (39' ketch), I'm still getting my boat ready and have been. I was planning on this year and spending the winter anchored on the Thames or in a Marina near London (I was thinking of that marina just down river from the Tower, but it doesn't permit liveaboards and is rather expensive.) do you know of any marinas near london which would permit liveaboards for the winter and would not be too expensive? What about anchorages. Could I anchor in the Thames near the tower or tie up to a sea wall? Any info you would be able to provide would be helpful. Even If I have to be a few miles down river from the tower, as long as it were within commuting distance and not too expensive for a "winter over".
thank you again..
Any Advice appreciated so that I can forward on to Andrew.


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[tony_brighton]

You are right - the one down from the Tower (St Katharines Dock) does not permit live-aboards. Generally you are not permitted to anchor anywhere in the upper reaches of the Thames - which includes the bit by London.

There are many more options further down the River towards, say, Chatham which has a good commuter service to central London.

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[squidge]

Hang on what about Lime house basin ? just down the river and ive seen live aboards in there.I dont know of another place with good London travel further down./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[squidge]

Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://cruising.org.uk/lbm.htm>http://cruising.org.uk/lbm.htm</A>

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[AndrewB]

Most of the marinas below London Bridge tolerate liveaboards in seaworthy yachts even if technically they don't 'permit' them. (St Katherine's is the most discouraging). It is useless to ask permission though.

Given its London, prices are very reasonable apart from St Katherine's. Limehouse Basin has been fully booked in winter.

It is not possible to lie to anchor, lay a mooring, or lie alongside anywhere in the Thames from Gravesend upstream. There are a few yacht clubs with moorings: the closest-in are at Bugsby's Reach (?Greenwich Yacht Club), plenty of vacancies in winter but it looks very inhospitable for liveaboarding. There are also moorings at Erith and at Thurrock/Greys, similar.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Mast down

If you wanted to drop the mast, there are some marinas above Tower Bridge - Chelsea Harbour (or harbor), Chiswick, Brentford - which might have space.

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[peterb]

It may be worth asking about the Limehouse basin. I believe they're planning to put in some more berths.

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[jeanette]

Try South Dock Marina.
They also don't allow liveaboards 'officially' so don't ask for permission, but I know plenty of people who are living in there.


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[Neil_M]

Although most of the marinas stipulate 'no liveaboards' I know people who have done just this, including at St Katherines (if you have a 'interesting' boat which is good tourist value) though I don't recommend it. The following site has useful information re the British Waterways run moorings - Poplar Dock (Canary Wharf) may be worth a try?
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/metrocuts/moorings.htm>http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/metrocuts/moorings.htm</A>

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[Jean]

Thanks for all the advice, Andrew is now reading the replies directly.

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[Forbsie]

Blackwall Marina to the east of Limehouse have loads of liveaboards and is just a few minutes from a DLR station. It also has parking.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie?&page=1>My Project</A>