Planning a cruise over Easter with 6 adults

[Ian45]

So, in a couple of weeks six of us (yes six) will pile onto our boat for our first real venture up (or down) river.

We have managed the odd days out since we purchased our Sealine 218 in August last year but this will be a full week with the occasional luxury of a B&B stay to make sure we get a proper nights sleep and a shower. Mad? Crazy? Insane? Probably all three but hell, we are SO looking forward to it.

If any of you have any advice or cruised in a similar sized boat with six people, all adults then I'd love to hear them....I think!

 

[jecuk]

Might be easier to help if you tell us where you are sailing from and planning to go to....

 

[oldgit]

If its any help

"If any of you have any advice or cruised in a similar sized boat with six people, all adults then I'd love to hear them....I think!"



We hired a canal boat a few years ago for ten peeps.
Ten years before any of us were on speaking terms again.

 

[Chris_d]

Used to have a simlar sized boat, i'd say 2 adults and 2 kids max my current 32ft is cosy for 4 adults, no way will 6 adults sleep on a 218 for more than 1 boosy night, I'd book the B&B's if I was you

 

[Richard Shead]

If you are based

So, in a couple of weeks six of us (yes six) will pile onto our boat for our first real venture up (or down) river.

We have managed the odd days out since we purchased our Sealine 218 in August last year but this will be a full week with the occasional luxury of a B&B stay to make sure we get a proper nights sleep and a shower. Mad? Crazy? Insane? Probably all three but hell, we are SO looking forward to it.

If any of you have any advice or cruised in a similar sized boat with six people, all adults then I'd love to hear them....I think!

At T&K, I would head down with a tent, more populated, lots of b&bs and a few camp-sites and of course loads of fields and pubs.

 

[Ian45]

Six adults is not quite as bad as it seems. My wife and I, two grown up daughters and one of the boyfriends. Fingers crossed we don't fall out with each other as we all live under the same roof at home (not the boyfriend I might add).

We are starting off from Harleyford, haven't decided if the down river or up river would be the best for this trip. I agree that going down river could give us more options for the B&B type overnight stops although we would be happy to moore overnight in a marina if we could use the shower facilities? It's the women you see, couldn't POSSIBLY go all week without a hair wash, where as us blokes just 'wash & go'.

So, if any of you are out and about on the river over Easter and can smell a BO fueled Sealine 218 with 6 people on it please give us a wave, I'll understand if you wish to keep your distance lol.

 

[boatone]

Six adults is not quite as bad as it seems. My wife and I, two grown up daughters and one of the boyfriends.

My arithmetic makes that five ? Will you have a stowaway?

Most (all?) marinas have showers which visitors can use as part of the overnight fee entitlement but there aren't many above Harleyford - Thames and Kennett, Val Wyatt and Bushnells are a few. Also, mooring on the park at Marlow includes access to the leisure centre showers.

Downstream you have Bray, Windsor, Windsor Racecourse, Penton Hook, Bates, Shepperton and possibly others my mind doesn't immediately identify.

Further upriver I know people who have overnighted at the Shillingford Bridge and used the hotel fo a night although maybe (but not necessarily) more expensive than B&B.

 

[Ian45]

My arithmetic makes that five ?

Note to self: do not post on forum after a couple of large glasses of wine.

You are indeed correct, there are FIVE not six of us, we had six out for a jaunt on Sunday at that must have stuck in my mind...well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, nothing to do with the wine what-so-ever.

Did think the down river option would offer more choice for staying in a B&B/hotel/pub but was wondering if it would also mean less quiet areas where we wouldn't get bothered by oiks if we were moored up just having a BBQ.

On another post last year I mentioned we had a boat on the Thames 20 years ago so not exactly a stranger to the River but a lot can change in that time so will need to acquaint myself again with all that the Thames has to offer good and bad.

I may even post pictures on here as we make our merry way down the river, just need to find out if I can email photos straight in from my phone?

 

[boatone]

Did think the down river option would offer more choice for staying in a B&B/hotel/pub but was wondering if it would also mean less quiet areas where we wouldn't get bothered by oiks if we were moored up just having a BBQ.

We were mainly constrained to downstream of Marlow/Henley for the first ten years we were on the river and rarely had any yobbo problems - in fact only serious one was last year when a scroat smashed one of our windows when moored below Marlow Lock.

Some more ideas - a real push the boat out option moor up at the Beetle and Wedge at Moulsford and have a really luxurious night including fine dining (maybe the boy friend could pay?). Shower facilities also available at the Leisure Centre at Windsor.
Take a small tent for the youngsters (maybe not all 3 !) ? The islands below Cliveden are a nice place to overnight. Also on the fields above Cookham

We will be out and about that week - whats the boat called, we'll keep an eye open for you.

 

[Ian45]

We will be out and about that week - whats the boat called, we'll keep an eye open for you.

The boats called 'Brigadoon'. Let me know yours and I too will keep a watch and if our paths cross at a mooring a glass of vino will be yours.

We did think about a small tent but the youngsters range from 18 to 22 years so although young compared to me they are adults when it comes to the amount of room they will take up on the boat lol.

The Beetle and Wedge does sound good, I must check it out.

 

[spinreach]

The boats called 'Brigadoon'. Let me know yours and I too will keep a watch and if our paths cross at a mooring a glass of vino will be yours.

When we first moored at Harleyford we were next to Brigadoon. She's looking nice with her new covers! We're now on the central pontoon, still in Harleyford, but walk past you when walking the dog.

If you're looking for drinking and eating options on the river, I think its hard to beat the Henley to Windsor stretch, which also offers some fantastic bankside mooring spots. Why not turn left, go as far as Windsor, turn around but pass Harleyford and go on up to Henley, if you have time. It really isn't about making distance between your start point and you have to come back anyway. We often just go up to the weir pool below Hurley weir and anchor - is 10 minutes from the berth but one of those hard to beat places you woudl journey a lot longer to reach!

 

[Ian45]

We often just go up to the weir pool below Hurley weir and anchor - is 10 minutes from the berth but one of those hard to beat places you woudl journey a lot longer to reach!

We have taken the boat out and only traveled to the weir as well but as yet not anchored but I'm sure at some point you will make that short cruise and find a red vision bobbing about.

Now, as I look out the studio window it is warm and sunny so I am looking forward to a night on the boat. I suppose I had better get back to work so I can get outa here.