Moving to the Thames?

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Following a discussion between myself and the good lady, we spent an enjoyable afternoon around Weybridge today. We went to have a look around to see if we might like boating on the Thames and decided that it might be preferable (to the wife) to go boating where tides and weather might not be so much of an issue. The boat in question is a Jeanneau Merryfisher 805 with a TAMD 41A turbo diesel and I think an airdraft of, at a guess, about 10 feet, with beam of just under 3 metres. So, 2 questions that we could do with answers to. 1) would the boat be suitable, bearing in mind the issue of working the diesel hard enough to avoid bore glazing and 2) as we are somewhat impecunious at the moment, where we might moor the boat at a price that won't break the bank. We're currently paying just under £2800 for a semi-tidal berth on the Hamble and would like to reduce this if at all possible, so we are aware that a marine berth is probably out of the equation. Walton Marine (who were closed today......remind me to read the WHOLE flippin' website page before jumping in the car!) and they have something called.....'arf a mo while I switch pages.....a piled island mooring that might be within our budget. Obviously, any like priced bankside mooring would get our serious attention, but preferably in the stretch between say, Teddington and oh I dunno, Staines on Thames due to travel time etc. Comments and suggestions welcome, sorry about the length (oo er missus)!

 

[Ramage]

I would think you would be able to get a berth for that boat in an MDL marina on the Thames (Penton Hook/ Bray/ Windsor) for the same as you are paying or possibly less. Bankside is nice, but in the winter (particularly if we get high flows and floods) the boat can be very vulnerable. There are moorings at Teddington (Teddington Harbour 020 8977 9978).

 

[sailorman]

dont forget add on costs
BSS cert
license form the waterways

 

[oldgit]

No really sure that bore glazing actually exists with 21st century lubricants .Doubt you will be able to find a single Thames or river boater anywhere able to point to a case of this mythical malaise,unless in the club bar.

Ps.If you do decide to come round,it is a cracking and practical journey to do under your own steam if/when conditions allow.Suspect that saxings on fuel will cancel out other Thames costs.
Airdraft seems OK as well.
Recently done and video produced on forum.
If somebody can do it in Sealine ,anybody can do it.

 

[No Regrets]

My 10m boat costs around £3600 for Mooring in beautiful Bray (MDL) and £550 for River licence.

I think you could reasonably expect to increase your budget a little because you'll be spending only around £300pa in Fuel for quite a bit of use, and the facilities are very good on the Upper Thames, so you'll get plenty of time on the boat even on fairly poor days.

Being in a Marina on a floating pontoon will ensure you can sleep at night. Bankside is not practical all year round given the floods we get sometimes...

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Yes, point taken about the bankside mooring. We've made enquiries about costs and don't think it's practical at this time to make the move. Thoughtful comment re fuel costs, but TBH we don't spend that much on fuel as it is. We've decided that we'll put off the move until I finish work (just under two years) and reconsider at that time. Many thanks to all who posted in reply......I think we will get there, just not as soon as we hoped.

 

[bumperdump]

Yes, point taken about the bankside mooring. We've made enquiries about costs and don't think it's practical at this time to make the move. Thoughtful comment re fuel costs, but TBH we don't spend that much on fuel as it is. We've decided that we'll put off the move until I finish work (just under two years) and reconsider at that time. Many thanks to all who posted in reply......I think we will get there, just not as soon as we hoped.

Certainly something to look forward too.