No Regrets Tidal Terrorism!

[No Regrets]

A week or two after the TVR, we plan to take No Regrets onto the tidal section of the Thames, but a little advice would be much appreciated from you learned navigators please!

Firstly, we have four days, no more.

We need to get from Bray to Tedders in one day, which I understand to be quite feasible, but:-

How far would we get once tidal, assuming we leave at a sensible hour to take advantage of it?

What sort of speed does the current flow at?

Anything else I need to know?


As usual, the photo's will be posted, even if the final few are from a liferaft, and your help is muchly appreciated!

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[DogsBody]

With 4 days, I'd go to somewhere like St Kats or Limehouse but you wont have much time for site seeing.

Depending on the tide times (which I haven't checked), you could go straight from Bray to Limehouse in on go, Teddington to Limehouse is about 4 hours IIRC. If you did that, you could make it to Queenborough for the second night and then reverse for the tip back but it'd be tiring, especially at your speed.

Have a read through this for some further info.

Alternatively, you could come along to the marathon cruise briefing this Saturday, I know you are not actually going on that trip but you will effectively be doing the same thing just a few weeks later, so would be worth your while attending.

Darren.

 

[ADLS]

I did Tedders to Medway Bridge last year, early start evening finish, changed an impeller on the way. But you must get the tides right to get the outgoing push down the Thames and then a turn of tide for a push up the Medway.

We stopped at Limehouse when we went up the Thame the month before and had an enjoyable week there visit the YC bar, local eateries, jumped on the DLR for trips into town.

So get your tide tables out and choose a morning tide to get you out of Tedders, that will give you a morning tide to get you back up in 4 days time. Or is the whole trip in 4 days, if so leave Tedders on a later tide.

Watch your airdraft at Hammersmith Bridge.

 

[Brayman]

It all depneds on the tides. You don't need to overnight at Teddington if you are taking a late tide, you could make it from Sunbury or Molesley for instance. I would suggest you don't want to be punching the tide at all so the time you go through Richmond will determine where you can stop overnight.

Good idea of Darren for you to attend the Bray Cruise Briefing on Saturday if you can make it, alternatively speak to Andy.

I would suggest NOT attempting to get to Queenborough and back unless you want to put Claire off tidal boating for life. That must be a major consideration for you.

 

[sarabande]

just before Westminster Bridge on the north bank, there's a splendid Victorian cafe/restaurant.

If you hold station against their part of the embankment, their service team in a black RIB will attend and ask for your order.

Their "Bombe Surprise" is recommended, so get out the loud hailer and ask for one.

 

[Richard Shead]

Yes and on that note maybe we should change the name of this post altogether......there are people out there...

 

[SpecialBranch]

Relaxez-vous un peut, mes amis. There's analytical software, and intelligent analytical software.

 

[No Regrets]

[ QUOTE ]
Relaxez-vous un peut, mes amis. There's analytical software, and intelligent analytical software.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're not going to ask why I have a plimsoll line then? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

2 tonne payload, should make an impact in the City /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'll try to get up on Saturday then, Thanks all.

That Bombe surprise sounds like it packs a punch... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[miket]

With a single engine you need to be prepared for rubbish around your prop'
Have you decided how you will deal with this?
Don't just plough down the river. Keep a very close eye open (crew too) and be prepared to take avoiding action.
If you are ready for it, it won't happen.

 

[teddington_lock]

Let me know when you're coming ...
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I'll make sure i'm off that day /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Seriously though , we have some IWA tideway guides and a BW Downstream Edition handbook ( geared up more for ditch crawlers , but the information is sound ) .... grab a couple as you come through ...

 

[Brayman]

No Regrets - The Ditch Crawler , sounds like a gret movie.

 

[No Regrets]

I heard about your Tidal Thames guide, specially prepared WITH THE GET-YOU-HOME- SECTION MISSING! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The old girl has a Wing engine, adequate for around 5 knots, and therefore if anything happens to the main one, we have an emergency device which I always run before any outing to ensure it functions perfectly.
Fuel issues are unlikely, as the fuel is always topped up, and the tank cleaned a couple of years ago, although for no reason!
I'm a Scuba diver, so won't mind hopping in with a knife if stuff does get wedged in, but we're used to dodging debris after frequent collisions with Rowing boats, Slipper launches etc.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

We have run her at full chat on an open wide stretch, so she won't be distressed by a little harder than normal use... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Keep 'em coming though, I really appreciate the helpful comments.

I'll deal with the 'Ditch' comments later /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boatone]

Have you thought of going coastal?

The MoboChat Forum crowd seem quite friendly........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Richard Shead]

Personally I would...although this depends on tide..

Bray to Tedd (nice meal / pub)
Tedd to St Kats (overnight inside / good curry)
St Kats to Tedd or beyond and head home.

All within reach given your experience. Steer around the junk, if it looks shallow it will be, if you can see what trainers folk are wearing walking over Hammersmith then you wont get under...but given its a broom and a 30 at that I cant see you having too many problems.

Oh and put a lifejacket on...on that subject I was very impressed with the sheer amount of folk wearing life jackets on Monday coming up on the tide through Richmond so much so I felt a little foolish swigging from a cold one sitting on the cabin (minus life jacket)

 

[boatone]

[ QUOTE ]
Tedd to St Kats (overnight inside / good curry)

[/ QUOTE ]

Depending on tide times the dash downstream from Teddington to get into St Kats during the lock 'window' can be a problem. I generally think Limehouse is a better bet - longer 'window' and then back up to St Kats for 2nd night before heading home.

there's also some good restaurants round Limehouse.

 

[Brayman]

Good point Tony. If he waits for the barrier at Richmond he won't make St Kats in time, he would need to lock through at Richmond well before the barrier goes up.

 

[Richard Shead]

That's why I said if the tides were right...but if he chose this option and they are wrong at least he could walk the dog at Brentford....

 

[teddington_lock]

Remember the night spent on the bottom of Syon Reach Rich ?

I had my Art A level exam the next day .... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Richard Shead]

Shhhh the new owner of that boat may well be on here in fact i saw it the other day...

 

[teddington_lock]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif