Penton Hook to Chiswick - any tips for Thames novices?

willdouglas

willdouglas

Active Member
Joined
30 Jul 2007
Messages
58
Location
Thames, London
Visit site
My co-owner and I will be making our maiden voyage in our newly acquired Princess 32 next weekend (16th/17th) - from Penton Hook Marina to Chiswick. We are new to the Thames (but not total novices.) My co-owner keeps a boat on the Cam and so is familiar with locks and river boating generally. I have sailed quite a bit on a 36 ft yacht over the years. I will also be swatting up on the trip from various books I have bought.

I will of course keep an eye on the river conditions thread on this forum. However, we would be really grateful to have any local advice/tips/warnings from ybw forumites!
 
Heading down from Tedd to Tower bridge on Sat myself.

I am assuming you are hitting Richmond bout 6pm for the gates to go up?, you will of course be fighting the tide but no big deal if you are only going to chiswick.

Non tidal the easy part and as you are used to it will be a doodle, Tedd to Chiswick just watch your wash, stay in the middle (unless something is coming!) and you will be fine. Oh and wave at all rowers
 
Quote :Oh and wave at all rowers :end Quote

Yerp you must always wave to all the rowers with the customary V sign as they are a VERY polite and friendly bunch


( NOT )


/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for that Richard. We shall pay particular attention to rowers!



[/ QUOTE ]

the rowers are difficult at best, they are not too bad on the non tidal but at Richmond and Twickenham there is a hard core of rowers with bad attitudes my advice is when they create just ignore them and believe me they will create if about
 
When getting shouted at by said rowers you can always tell them that unless they apologise you will post the pictures of two support boats with coaches in standing on chairs (loose) on the plane dancing and throwing things at each other, with no kill switches or life jackets...always works
 
We shall try our very best not to create in return. Note to self: take camera, breathe deeply, adopt fixed smile and wave vigourously while snapping pictures of support boat.
 
Have you got a copy of the Thames Users Guide from the EA? I can send you one if you like or you should be able to pick one up from a lock.

(and of course you'll need a licence!)
 
I do believe the PLA have issued a new booklet too, which includes revised instructions on where rowers should cross, and other instructions for rowers etc, which is all good information for non-rowers (that's me!)
 
If you're stopping at Chiswick Pier make sure you are well secure as there is a fair old current flow with the tides.
 
[ QUOTE ]
with no kill switches or life jackets...always works

[/ QUOTE ]

Joking apart it amazes me that robos dont use life jackets after all the river is dangerous and robos are not exactly stable
 
I did the very same trip tth weekend before last. It was great.

I didn't realise just how shallow it is at low tide after Richmond Lock so be aware of the tide times.

As already said there is a hell of a tidal flow around chiswick, I had to put her in to idle just to stay still against the pontoon.
 
[ QUOTE ]

As already said there is a hell of a tidal flow around chiswick, I had to put her in to idle just to stay still against the pontoon.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wish someone would show this post to some of the narrowboaters ..

They never beleive us when we tell them , we always get told ' Eeeeeee , been doing this for years son , on the Trent etc etc ' ..... i've switched off by then ....

Some people don't like help ....
 
Inside is nice and not a lot of money either.
DSCN2564.jpg

Lots road gastro pub 5 mins up road,
 
Its Chelsea Harbour .. best entered at slack water if poss, due to the close proximity of pier (fraction upstream of the entrance).
Eating try new facilities at Imperial Wharf 2 mins walk from Chelsea Harbour (upstream) just under the railway bridge. Waterside, Saran Rooms (Thai) also Indian and Italian restaurants. Also chek out new apartments ranging 900K to cools 7 million . There'ss an M&S food only there as well.
 
Thanks all for the advice. We're going to be finishing the trip at our new home at Chiswick Quay Marina and so won't require the pier or Chelsea Harbour - unless we are late in the case of the former! Just completed my VHF course today on the Strand with First Class Sailing - instrcuted by the excellent Mark Hamilton (no relation to Luke Skywalker as far as I am aware). Shouldn't think we'll need to use my qualification on our journey from Penton Hook though - fingers crossed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top