Nice destination at UK South - East Coast ?

[BartW]

we are planning a 3 day channel crossing trip from Belgium to UK and back, in June.
Depending on the weather our plan is to leave the Belgium coast 1'day morning, and cruise direction Ramsgate.
What destination would you advice us to go for:
- first option is going towards the river Thames
- second option is to follow the South coast towards the solent, but I am afraid that it would be too far to go all that way in one day.
second day hang around at this destination,
3th day cruising back home,
Our normal cruising speed is 27kn, but on Northsee I count 20kn on average
some good advice is welcome.

 

[Elessar]

Ramsgate is a nice, convenient stopover. Everyone likes different things but it would not be considered to be a holiday destination by the average boater!

The trip up the Thames Estuary to central London is fantastic. Taking your own boat through central London really is a buzz, and you can stay in the heart of the town. But you really need a day to get there (from Ramsgate) and a day to get back so you are a day short. With all the effort to cross the sea can you not get an extra day? St Katherines is where most people like to stay but I prefer Limehouse.

If not try Sandwich or Rye. Both tidal and you need to dry out but lovely once you're there. If you don't fancy that, chatham. You get to see the sea forts en route and whilst chatham is a bit industrialised, the river has lots of interesting wrecks, theres a good museum etc.

 

[BartW]

The channel crossing is only 2 hours, don't you think we could go towards london in one day ?

Is the thames navigable everywhere up till London ? forbidden or dangerous area's ?

is there a speed limit ?

thanks for your post !

 

[Elessar]

Yes you could if the crossing is only 2 hours. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Large ships can get as far as London, but there are some very shallow areas miles from the shore so plot your course carefully with an up to date chart.

There can also be some very rough bits as the river gets narrower which tend to be localised if there is wind over tide. If the conditions are OK to cross the North Sea you'll be fine, just be prepared for surprising roughness as you go round a bend, which then goes at the next bend.

You need to call VTS to pass through the barrier. There are no speed limits until you reach Wandsworth Bridge which is further than you'll go, but you are expected to navigate with caution and be aware of your wash. Central London is very busy with fast trip boats and also surprisingly choppy. Go as far as the houses of parliament then turn round back to your marina. You can't go near the shore here, I think a 1/3 of the river is prohibited.

Both Limehouse and St Kats can only be accessed for certain parts of the tide and waiting outside is very very unconfortable because of the chop so your arrival and departure times need planning too.

check out this link.

some photos to wet your appetite.


the first bit of the Thames just off Margate

the sea forts

Central London

 

[[2068]]

I'm confused: that S37 seems to be able to turn itself into some sort of Flybridge boat full of ladies ...

 

[BartW]

thank you for the nice and tempting pics,
So yes we will go for a short trip to London,
are there places where it is worth / possible to stop for a short while, (we don't want to visit Londen), but just have a drink and a chat with the locals...
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
thanks again for your advice

 

[Elessar]

The f/b is my old Bayliner - I had both for a year, greedy I know.........

 

[Elessar]

There is virtually nowhere to stop between Ramsgate and London, excepting the towns up the Medway which are too much of a detour for your short trip.

Now when it comes to London, what's a local?

London docks closed with the advent of containerisation, the inevitable decline accelerated by the strong union demands of the stevadores and other dockworkers.

The real docks moved to Tilbury and the whole of docklands fell into even more disrepair. The financial boom in the 80s saw the area re-developed into a financial centre, with tall buildings and a new light railway. The area was awash with red porche 911s and driven by yuppies in red stipey shirts, multi million pound flats rubbing shoulders with old dereliction and the social housing in areas like tower hamlets.

So you will not find old London in the docks, it has gone forever. There is enough of it to feel the history though and I love going there, especially if I've arrived by boat. St Kats and Limehouse are full of history themselves.
If you stop at limehouse and walk downstream, you'll find a few original old waterside pubs that have escaped redevelopment or purchase by a pub chain, the sort with an old bloke with his dog reading the paper and making his half pint last all afternoon. That's about as close as you'll get to talking to the locals, and I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome.

Just a few stops on the DLR and you're at tower bridge and the tower of london. That must be worth a look if you're so close. Go the other way on the DLR to Island Gardens and you can walk through a tunnel under the Thames to Greenwich which is steeped in naval history and worth a stroll.

Another favourite walk of mine is from London Bridge (get there by tube) upstream to Waterloo on the south bank. Plenty of pubs en route, southwark cathedral, a replica of the golden hind, the globe theatre (a replica of shakespeare's original), vinopolis, the tate, the national theatre, the london eye and the aquarium. Pedestrian bridges to take you to St Pauls and the houses of parliament if that's not enough for you. Tube or river boat back from waterloo.

I'm jealous of your trip already!

 

[BartW]

Brilliant advice, love it !

[ QUOTE ]

I'm jealous of your trip already!

[/ QUOTE ]

you're welcome to join us on 3-4 july
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
thanks and best regards
Bart

 

[AndieMac]

Wow Elessar!!!!!!!!

What a comprehensive tourism speel, you had me captivated.
I will book a trip there myself /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[BartW]

Can you tell me more about these sea forts ,
I've seen them before here on the forum,
What are they for ?
where are they exactly ?

 

[oldgit]

Also used for pirate radio during the 1960s
WW2 Forts
WW2Forts
Radio Sutch

 

[Elessar]

As per oldgit's link. My pics were of the redsand army forts, details on the link and you'll see them on your chart.

 

[BartW]

[ QUOTE ]
There is virtually nowhere to stop between Ramsgate and London, excepting the towns up the Medway which are too much of a detour for your short trip.


[/ QUOTE ]

do you think it will be possible to stay one night at Limehouse or St Kats ? (looking at the tide ofcause).
are these places not too busy in july ?
should we call in advance ?

Don't you know of any marine or stop place between Ramsgate and Londen, for an overnight, as a backup ?
and a fuelstation ?

What is "DLR" I 'am sorry if it is a silly question.

I have two other friends with Ribs who want to join me for the trip.
many thanks for your help,

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

DLR = Docklands Light Railway.

I'd book ahead for St Kats but would be more blase about Limehouse as the marina is separate from actually locking in from the Thames, you could lie against the wall by the Cruising Association, at reduced security of course.

South Dock on the other side is also an option.

 

[Elessar]

You will need to book.

As stated there is a marina on the south bank, but I've never been there. There is also a marina at the end of city airport if your like kerosene on your toast. These are all very close together.

After that there is nothing as far as I know, bar a few buoys at Thurrock Yacht Club, until you get to the Medway.

There is a fuel barge somewhere but I'm afraid I've not refuelled in London either so I hope someone else can help. Do you need petrol or diesel, I'd expect the barge will only do the latter.