Richmond Lock Question

[oldgit]

Does anybody know,very approximately of course roughly what time before HW Richmand Lock would let a normal boat drawing say 1m to go through.
Appreciate depends on size of tide etc but a ball park estimate would do.
A while ago did Teddington to St Kats dead easy on one tide via lock, but very tight(2,5 hours to do 20 miles) if wait for barrier to go up ?

 

[Dave_Seager]

With your draft you could probably get through about 4 hours before Richmond's HW. Remeber that HW Richmond is about an hour later than HW London Bridge.

You will need to be careful to avoid running aground but you will be on a rising tide so you should get off again quite soon if you get stuck. Just go slowly so that you do not ground too hard.

It is very shallow on the Surrey side of the river below the lock so you need to head out into mid-river as soon as you leave the lock. Steer about 315 degrees.

 

[Gavi]

Hmmm.... I am an amateur at this, but just did just that in a 1.2m draft. +3 hours after low water and followed a trip boat. He took an odd route but knew I was behind (he had 0.8m) and it worked.

 

[Portland Billy]

Richmond outwards

It very much depends on the tide - the Lock Master at Richmond can keep you on the right track.
I usually leave Richmond at about two hours before HW London Bridge - provided there is enough water below the lock, I draw just under a meter and with outdrives I take no chances - having learned the hard way !! I have on occassion waited a few minutes in the lock to ensure safe water.
Take it slow and easy for the first reach.

 

[oldgit]

Does this sound right?

To sum up,if a boat goes through Richmond (lock )at -2 hours before HW at London Bridge and the last lock in at St Kats is + 1.5,it should allow 3.5 hours to do the 18 odd miles.If you can get past earlier than that even more leeway.Bearing in mind that you would benefit from a falling tide adding a knot or two to your speed probably for half the journey.So 8 knots should see you there provided no hold ups en route.
Simples ?

 

[lovezoo]

Just make sure you trim your outdrive all the way up and you will be fine.

 

[DogsBody]

Don't forget that depending on the day of week & time, the number of rowers about can prevent you from maintaining 8 knots even on the tidal section.

 

[Chris_d]

To sum up,if a boat goes through Richmond (lock )at -2 hours before HW at London Bridge and the last lock in at St Kats is + 1.5,it should allow 3.5 hours to do the 18 odd miles.If you can get past earlier than that even more leeway.Bearing in mind that you would benefit from a falling tide adding a knot or two to your speed probably for half the journey.So 8 knots should see you there provided no hold ups en route.
Simples ?

You get no beneift from a falling tide, in fact after the first half an hour of picking your way through the puddles below Richmond you are punching the tide all the way, in a planing boat that can only realisticaly do 6knts or so through the water you need the whole 3.5hours. I hate this journey and now do it by stopping at Chiswick pier then waiting for the next tide, means you can make the first lock at St Kats and not worry about just getting in the second.

 

[boatone]

To sum up,if a boat goes through Richmond (lock )at -2 hours before HW at London Bridge and the last lock in at St Kats is + 1.5,it should allow 3.5 hours to do the 18 odd miles.If you can get past earlier than that even more leeway.Bearing in mind that you would benefit from a falling tide adding a knot or two to your speed probably for half the journey.So 8 knots should see you there provided no hold ups en route.
Simples ?

Sounds seemples but what if you fail to get in to the last lock because of the number of boats ?

On the few occasions we have done this run down to London, we have found Limehouse a far safer bet - a little further down river but a longer window and more efficient locking arrangements. We have usually stayed there for one or two nights and then done the short hop back up to St Kats with much more confidence of getting in easily and without pressure.