Permanent Berths?

[Simes]

My wife has just applied for a new job in Camden. We would like to live in the smoke for a while (2 years?) Where is best for a liveaboard family (Husband, Wife and small Dog)?
We have had a look around the marina web sites, South Dock looks nice, Poplar and Gallions also look nice, St Kats is very expensive and Limehouse seems to be full. Are there any river moorings? and old jettys or piers, is there a "Port of London" harbour master or authority anymore?

Our vessel is a 49' Schooner drawing 8' has an air draft of 60' and a beam if 13'.

Thanks folks,

Simon

 

[byron]

Tidal moorings on the Thames in London tend to be very rare. Many of the Jetties, floating pontoons and barge moorings are sublet by the PLA to commercial operations. Bearing in mind you draw 8' and cannot take the ground comfortably with your keel then these become even rarer. Couple that with wash, access, water and electricity then the phrase "hens teeth" springs to mind.

Marinas are expensive but look what you get. St Kats is a wonderful place to live barring the lack of car parking facilities and in your case dog walking. South Dock is the wrong side for Camden. You can't get above Tower Bridge so Chelsea is out for you unless you go the the hassle of stepping your masts.

So. With the other Marinas being further down river which will put time and cost of travelling on their "cheaper" fees. This really only leaves you with St Katherines as a viable option.

 

[Simes]

Thanks Byron,

I guess that I meant that St Kats is expensive compared to the other Marinas.

I know that South Dock is on the South bank but why is that "wrong" for Camden, cant we just get the tube?

What about Poplar or Gallions Point, these are on the north bank so are probably easier.

I did not think that there would be much in the way of river side moorings so I probably wont pursue that avenue.

Thanks for your help,

Simes

 

[byron]

I completely forgot about the Tube south of the river that makes South Dock a distinct possibility.

 

[boatone]

Whats wrong with Limehouse ? On the DLR too - and a lot cheaper than St. Kats.

 

[Brayman]

Whats wrong with Limehouse ? On the DLR too - and a lot cheaper than St. Kats.

apart from

and Limehouse seems to be full

 

[MiskinDriver]

Nearest tube from South Dock is about 10 - 15 mins walk at Canada Water - Jubilee Line, there's also a bus which takes roughly the same amount of time through the traffic! There are also supermarket, shops and a bus station at Canada Water. Not sure you'd want to walk through Bermondsey late at night mind. The most 'community' of the marinas I think, and pretty well run in my experience. Oh, and I should have said earlier, they have a restricted number of residential moorings and there is (accurately, was a year ago when I last heard it discussed) a hefty premium charged by the marina on the transfer of residential berths. Worth checking out.

Gallions is a bit isolated - though another 10 - 15 minute walk will see you at the DLR. Shopping centre not too far away.

If you do consider a mooring on the river, then I guess the best bet would be Hermitage on Wapping High St. Ideally situated and Tower Hill tube/DLR 10 minutes walk at most - supermarkets and shops in walking distance. However, they are for older boats so you'd need to check whether they'll take you.

Good luck.

 

[cafebloke]

I have a mooring at Gallions, They are the cheapest of the bunch..
The place is fairly secure, but rebuilding of a road inside the marina has made everywhere a bit muddy at the moment.. DLR is ten minutes walk away.
Moorings have electric points and access to water..there is a small clean shower/toilet block and staff are friendly .
City airport is right next door so it can be noisy during daylight hours.
They also have an on site engineering workshop in case you need any work done..

Chris

 

[Simes]

Sounds good,

The ability to work is always important ( we are some four years down a complete refurb / rebuild ). I especially like on-site welding / engineering. Gallions also looks good from the wed site.

Thanks for your help and opinion

Simes

 

[oldgit]

apart from

Quote:
Originally Posted by boatone
Whats wrong with Limehouse ? On the DLR too - and a lot cheaper than St. Kats.

apart from


Quote:
and Limehouse seems to be full

Big shouty letters sometimes gets his attention for a few brief seconds...or better still,tell Maggie and she will explain it all very slowly for him to be able to grasp the situation.