Mooring near Oxford

[rafiki_]

We currently moor on the R Severn, but are getting a little bored with the river, and therefore looking at an alternative not too far from home (Stratford on Avon).

Our boat is a Sunline 31 (sports cruiser), clearly not designed for the river, but we like the option of coastal visits too. She draws about 3 ft, and has an air draft of about 9 feet.

Is this too large for the Thames at Oxford? Would we have to moor at Henley?

I would appreciate some views.

 

[pande]

I'm no expert - never having been above Pangbourne by boat by my Mum has taken her P35 up as far as Iffley bridge as that is quite low I believe
There are guys and gals on here that moor up that way so you will be getting some answers from them soon.
We moor at Henley so if you decide that is the place to be please look us up for a beer (or even if you are just coming past)

 

[Chris_d]

You should be fine up to Oxford, just took mine up there this weekend only a bit bigger and taller than yours. You might just sneek under Folly bridge as well but Osney will be the limit, Folly bridge is 10'3" clearance but I don't like to risk it as it has quite a steep arch.

 

[bendyone]

There is a marina at Osney, your size will fit well, nice showers and toilets.

 

[rafiki_]

Many thanks for your help and suggestions. Will do a bit of googling, and check the marina out one weekend.

 

[miket]

Osney Mill Marina

Stayed here for a month earlier this year. Very pretty and quiet and superb as base for "doing" Oxford. They have a website.
It is situated between Folly Bridge and Osney Lock so you would need to be able to negotiate Folly Bridge, which as already stated has quite a curve on it, so hieght given is max' in the centre.
Otherwise, just abandon the boat on the towpath in Oxford, like the NB's have been known to do!!

 

[byron]

There is a marina at Osney, your size will fit well, nice showers and toilets.

They have a good community spirit there too. Their boat club always seem to have fun when they come here with loads of activities. They are here this August Bank Holiday.

 

[Steve Clayton]

They have a good community spirit there too. Their boat club always seem to have fun when they come here with loads of activities. They are here this August Bank Holiday.

Yes, we do; nice B-B-Q and benches, chairs, sun-shades area added this year. Problem for OP is that from Osney he can only go the one-way downstream because of Osney Bridge.
Whilst we will be in Gosport this Friday night to see Alan Price and Maggie Bell perform at the local Music Festival we propose to stay aboard in Osney on Saturday. We have to be at The Springs on Sunday for a birthday party so, sadly, the ditch-crawl on the boat from Osney to South Stoke is not on our agenda.

I would only get pi$$ed and lower the tone!!

 

[harvey38]

We moor at Abingdon Marina, a basic setup with toilets, water, FEP, Elsan but no showers, great community, clean, secure and nicely placed on river.

 

[JamesFJ]

Hi

I'm a newbie here - moved to Osney Marina last year and really like it - we draw 2 ft 9 in and air draught of 7 ft 9" so you should be OK up to here also - as stated above Osney is as far upriver as you can get but is a v good base for exploring Oxford. Would recommend you bring a tender so you can go further up to see Port Meadow. Foley Bridge is no problem - just take it slowly - there is usually not much current there