Planning a trip to Thames Barrier

[gordontytler]

I am planning a trip but am unsure of the best option regarding tides, bridge heights and shallow water. On Saturday 26th May I want to sail from Kingston down to Limehouse and come back the next day. At some point during the weekend I also want to include a trip through the Thames Barrier. High water at Tower Bridge is 14:47 on Saturday so I reckon a good time to arrive at Limehouse would be about 15:30. However, low water at Hammersmith on Saturday is 11:05 and I am worried about getting stuck in the shallows between Kew and Richmond. I could...

• leave Kingston really early, say 7am, to pass Kew before low water. I should have time to get to the Thames Barrier on Saturday before heading back to Limehouse.
• leave Kingston at about 12pm to pass Kew about 2 hours after low water and go directly to Limehouse. High water at Tower Bridge is 15:36 on Sunday so I could leave at noon and travel down stream for a couple of hours before returning with the tide. However, I might risk not being able to pass under some bridges on the way up. My air draft is 3.5m

Can anyone advise?

 

[No Regrets]

26th May is a Sunday.

Go to Imperial Wharf and take all the hard work out of it, given your current level of ability

Seriously though, don't worry too much about draught, as the Richmond lockie won't let you out until he thinks there's enough water, but you need to think about Hammersmith Bridge if the tides in. If you're coming home, and the water's low, just run on idle for a couple of hours before you need to worry!

When we had the Broom 30 with a mere 50hp, we found Imperial Wharf to be a wonderful thing! Nice place to stopover for 12 hours or so, and removes tides from the planning list!

 

[No Regrets]

p.s whats your draught!!?

 

[gordontytler]

Yes, Saturday is the 25th but I think I got the correct times for the tides. I have been to Limehouse twice and got held up in low water on the way back. Strangely, some other boats left hours after me and but still got to Richmond before me and I never saw them overtaking.

Actually the air draft has been reduced to 2.95m and I reckon from this picture the draft is 1m.



I have emailed Imperial Warf. I see the advantage. No need to wait for the tide on Sunday morning. I hope they are not too expensive.

 

[No Regrets]

Discount for ATYC affiliated club members, if it helps!

Best moor up on the inside, watch the tide doesn't take you down the inside though, easier to reverse down if the tides on it's way out!! Don't try to turn round.

Nice tight springs, and leave the breast lines a bit loose, as the river is busy and a bit choppy until around 9pm, when it gets very quiet, and you'll sleep well.

 

[rosssavage]

+1 to Imperial Wharf, a real godsend these days!! Through Richmond at high water, meander down to Imperial Wharf with no worries, all day in london, nice short hop to St Kats on the next high tide. Easy peasy

 

[gordontytler]

I would love to go to Imperial Wharf but unfortunately they are full on Saturday. I suspect St Kats would be even more expensive (saving for my retirement) and are probably also full and similar tide restriction. I have told Limehouse I will arrive at 15:30 but don't see how I can do this unless I pass Richmond before 9am and I suppose the same applies for St Kaths. There is good Curry and night clubs near Limehouse.

This is river height at Richmond on Saturday...



What excellant use of tax this site is http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/

I think my only chance of making it to Limehouse by 15:30 is to get through Richmond before 8am. I'll ask my crew if they can turn up on Friday night then I can leave while they are still asleep. I suppose Chiswick Pier is another option.

 

[gordontytler]

After spending 6 months last year restoring my boat on hard standing I was very keen to give it a proper test. I had to cancel a trip down the tidal Thames in December because the flood gates at the marina were shut. I didn't want to cancel again.

Imagine my disappointment to find on the morning of my departure that my crew would not be able to come after all.

It would have to be single handed or not at all. It took me a few hours to pluck up courage. Since I had reserved a mooring space I though I might as well go down to Chiswick Pier and back.

I got to Chiswick at about 5pm. It took a couple of attempts to moor due to the strong current.



Shortly after I noticed that one of my fuel tanks was almost empty! Fortunately I could switch one engine to the tank for the diesel heater which had about 80 litres left.

The evening was spent consuming cheese, wine and nuts while worrying about tides and fuel consumption. I wanted to pass the barrier and turn round at about 11am on Sunday (shortly after LW) and get back to Hammersmith by 15:00 (one hour before HW) so set my alarm for a 7am start.

A pint of expresso strength coffee got my brain going in the morning and I quickly established that the only fuel stops; at Lambeth and Tower Bridge are not open at the weekend. Just have to chance it and reminded myself to run the engine for 10 mins to check for air in the fuel line before setting off.

I set off at 7:45 but this excellent advice to myself was quickly forgotten in the excitement and challenge of departing without the flow smashing me into the RNLI lifeboat which was moored just a couple of meters down stream.



As predicted, the engine cut out about 10 mins into my journey and wouldn't restart. Fortunately there were no rowers about and it only took a few seconds to lift the hatch, dive below, and twist some fuel taps to reconnect the original tank. The engine started immediately and a few minutes later the fuel gauge jumped back up to just over half full. Few!.

The journey down was uneventful and there were no other boats about. I reached Vauxhall about an hour later and slowed down to 6 knots. At 10:40 after turning the bend at the O2 I encountered quite a strong incoming tide which I wasn't expecting until later. I passed the Thames Barrier and turned back at 11:10.



I reached Limehouse at 12:10 and decided (incorrectly as I found later) I needed to speed up otherwise I would arrive at Hammersmith at HW and not fit under the bridge. 2000rpm gave me a speed of 11 knots but after a few minutes the wheel house started to fill with smoke. I suspected the V-belt and slowed down again. Infact, going dead slow all the way back I reached Hammersmith at 13:40. There was 6.1 meters of headway.

It was a very pleasant trip back to my marina in the sun. After I arrived I tested the engine at 2000rpm again. This time there was no smoke. Only because the V-belt snapped immediately.

Overall a very successful journey. I am pleased with the engines. There is plenty of spare power and just a few minor issues that are easily fixed. Not sure where the bucket full of water in the bilge came from though. And yes, I did check the V-belt before leaving and it was loose but the adjustment was already at maximum. I'll try thicker V-belts. Perhaps they won't stretch so quickly.

 

[oldgit]

Well done a blimming interesting account,and enuff "what ifs" to keep you awake some dark morning.You have done more in a couple of days than most will ever do.
Water may have come from stern gland(its supposed to) or may have been lying behind a stringer somewhere and rocking and rolling have caused it to drain aft.

 

[gordontytler]

Thanks oldgit.

It was good to face up to my fears. The bilge water was very fresh and there was no evidence of the usual splatter from the raw water pump leaking so I think the bucket full did come from the stern gland. I am not worried but the greaser was just as tight as the one on the other side, which only dripped a few pints.

This young boat (1979) sailed to Falmouth from the Thames quite recently and lay there neglected for a few years before comming back by road last year.

I want to get her back out at sea.

 

[oldgit]

" not worried but the greaser was just as tight as the one on the other side, which only dripped a few pints. "

mine is exactly the same,the starboard gland may allow a few dribbles after a long run but the starboard one lets in half the Medway !