River or Sea

[martinwoolwich]

I'm based at Harleyford on the Thames with a Broom 38. Family of 5 - wife and three kids 10,10,12

Just finished our first ever season and loved it. Did 180 hours and over 1,000 miles.

Travelled over to France and back and went all the way up to Oxford and back (yup - 9 weeks holiday!!!!!)

We love the river, it's great for entertaining and the gentle pace is a great antidote for stress.

So done quite a bit of river and a little bit of sea.

The question vexing us now is - will we get bored with the river soon (after all surley there are only so many times you can visit Henley or Bourne End in a single day )?

WIll we get more enjoyment finding a mooring on the south coast - Chichester for example? (if we could get in)!

I can see from this forum that there is a real mix of river only people, coast only people and a mix of both so I'm after some opinions and advice. Bear in mind, although I've done Dayskipper and I've been over the sea I'm still very much a novice so the coast as a permanent base could be a step too far too soon?

And before you ask - NO I can't afford two boats to get the best of both worlds (and if I could I probably put one in the Med - but that's a different story for another day!)

 

[DepSol]

I understand what you are saying but I'll give you it from my perspective here...

Herm Island is a lovely little Island 3 miles off Guernsey, easy to get to, great pub, good food etc etc however in the winter because the weather is usually not good for doing 60nm round trip to France we end up going to Herm in whatever weather is out there, even if we are the only ones in the pub.

As soon as spring comes and better? weather arrives we are off to Alderney france Sark and Jersey. When some one says are you coming to Herm for the day you think no way I've spent the winter there what do I want to waste a lovely day in Herm when the weather is right for France.

At the end of it all when the weather is bad you are so glad that Herm is that short trip with a good pub good food and a lit fire. You may get bored of it but you'd probably miss it if it wasn't there.

 

[byron]

Martin both aspects of boating are great. I accidentally came on the river about 16 years ago funnily enough having bought a Broom at Harleyford, thought I would do the season there and finished up buying a house on the Thames - YUP! in those days you could afford to do it. Now I enjoy both sides and a bit of rag & stick too.
The bestest thing about the Thames is the social side which is lacking on the coast. You can enjoy both but joining the club at Harleyford, go to the TVR at Henley next May and see Henley in a different light. On the Thames you don't need worry about wind or tide but you do worry about sometimes petty restrictions and such poopoo as the BSS. At sea the world is your oyster subject to wind and tide. On the Thames in general moorings and fuel are much cheaper on the sea the opposite is true. On the Thames you can drop down to Windsor moor outside the Leisure Centre and take the kids swimming or run up to Child Beale to take the kids to visit.
You pays yer money - you takes yer choice. Many's the time I have sat on my boat on the Thames looking at appalling weather and saying "glad I ain't at sea now" by the same token many's the time I have sat somewhere like Bolougne with all the great characters the Bolougne Yacht Club seems to have saying to myself " good 'ere innit"

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[hlb]

One of the reasons. Well no. All of the resons that I keep my boat in Plymouth even though living in Lancashire, is the endless variation of destinations and cruises. Last week we were down and did'nt leave the harbour. But three miles across the harour at 20 knots to a nice little bay and Sunday dinner at the pub. The next day up the Tamar cos the weather had turned a bit rough then into QAB for a night on the town.
But through the summer we've done the Chanel Isle, The Solent and everything in between.
Much better on the sea and its not difficult if you pick the weather and do it in little hops. Theres loads of rivers to choose from and you can go up the lot. Not just stuck with one.
Went up the Severn for the winter a few years ago. Nearly did my head in put puting up to the same pub and back again..

Haydn

 

[martin]

Hi Martin,

Haven't been down to Temple recently so have missed you. however, boat will be on Harleyford Hard sometime next week so will no doubt bump into to you again then.

My views on River vs Sea are that they are both great but completely different. Obviously at the mo you and your familty seem to enjoy both and would like to do both. So why not continue until one proved more popular than the other. or are you bored already?

Our problem with moving the boat permanently to the coast is the time it would take us to go there each weekend. From Herts it would be 3 hours each way at 90 mph. To much stress for me!. Harleyford is 40 mins away at 70. much better and lawful. Its also the travel time that puts me off the Med.

Bad enough doing long runs on a friday night when you have the carrot of a w/e on the boat to look forward to but if I had to go there just to fix something on the boat or meet an engineer I would be cheesed orf to say the least. Even during the short time we use the sea we travel at night so the kids can sleep. If I did it during the day I would get beat up by family for wasting 6 hrs drivin just to get 1 day on the boat. If, on top of this the weather was bad during that day....well need I say more.

So for the most part Harleyford offers a nice easy boatin experience with few risks, great pubs, loads of events and regattas and as Byron says fantastic social side. Also, lets chums wiv wobbly/sea sick family come along too with out long drawn out convoy.

But on the sea, wind in hair, music and engines cranked on a fine day its great. Definately better... but only for short time .. couldn't do it all the time as it can all go V pair shaped V quick and need to keep wits about you at all times. Also, need to be able to walk away from it when conditions out strip your ability. This has been covered in many posts and seems to be the key to happy/safe sea work. This is easy when car is only short distance away and drive home is 40 mins but when car is long taxi ride away, extra moorin costs until next w/e and a long drive home are faced I might think arhh it all be alright.. Made mistake of takin family out in F3-4 once before and it nearly finished my boatin w/e's orf for good so can't trust meself.

So for the meanwhile, we do a bit of both. If I could get a 4 month mooring around Harleyford and a 3 month mooring on the south coast and then get the boat in my driveway for the Winter I would be in heaven...But driveway too small..another story! all the rest as you know...is doable.

 

[Guest]

Re: in at the deep end

Just do it thats what half the fun is .
Why not do a few sailing trips and get a few hundred sea miles in
Mick

 

[Col]

I personally use the Solent, you have everything you could wish for.If the weather is too rough out at sea, go up Southampton water.If it's fine-many bays and harbours to seek out. A journey from the Hamble to Cowes can vary depending on wind and tide, you could do this trip 6 times and have 6 different sea conditions. Variety the spice of life?
The thought of "shall we go up stream today, or downstream?"does not appeal at all, there is only so much river you can cover in a day, and the thought covering the same few miles every trip does nothing for me, let alone all those locks!
But hey, wouldn't it be a funny old world if we all liked the same things?
Any way I think Byron would be upset if I came blasting up the Thames at 40 odd Knots!!

 

[markc]

Not advice you understand, just my experience!...

Spent 4 years on the Thames and loved it, with the occasional jaunt to the sea. This year decided that I would take the boat to the Solent just for the summer and decided to stay for good. The reasons...

1 No one moaning about wash at 4knts
2 No BSS
3 No Thames licence
4 Just as easy/sheltered in lots of Solent to potter just as on Thames
5 Loads more places to go rather than to the same old pub/BBQ spot/field
6 No flooding / red boards
7 lots and lots of chandelrys!!
8 Flexability
9 No long trawl down the crappy part of the Thames to get some decent sea
10 The sea
11 You can catch your dinner

The downsides are the longer drive time for me, but it's easy to get used to. More expensive mooring but save on licence fees, BSS etc. oh....not many ducks!

I love it in the Solent and think I'll leave the Thames until I am grey and doddery!! Perhaps you should plan next summer at sea and leave it open as to whether you stay or go back.

M

 

[byron]

"Any way I think Byron would be upset if I came blasting up the Thames at 40 odd Knots!!"

WHY? bluddy rower's chase boats do it all the time ;-)

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[stewart]

What about the med? Flights are so cheap now, often doesn't take much longer than a long drive. No need to worry about tides, and other obstacles (depending where you are). Simply avoid the hard bits at the edge of the sea. And not too much to worry about with bad weather. And a great holiday home even if you don't leave port in mid January - still 100x better weather than here!

 

[lanason]

You are all missing the point why decide OR when you can have AND. River AND sea.
I am just about to swap my Ford Galaxy for a ruddy great Land Crusier with 4 wheel everything. Then buy a 23 foot boat and TOW TOW TOW.
On the river, different slipway every day/weekend Avon, Severn the lot then down to Poole or Southhampton or ..... or...... or..... for a long weekend or week.
Might even go the O-la-la Thames.

Now where can I get the money to pay for that lot.

DAD can I borrow.........

Adrian

 

[Guest]

We changed this season after 15 years of boating with 25-29 foot boats on the River Avon at Bristol.
We now have a Sealine 218 Envoy which we keep at home and tow behind a Shogun very weekend.
We have been local quite alot this season but have also had a weekend at Devizes on K&A, a week at Poole,a weekend at Bucklers Hard,Beaulieu,2 weeks on the Thames,launching at Chertsey and recovering at Lechlade, and a weekend at Dartmouth.
Best thing we ever did. A couple of thoughts...based at home now until next spring and not lining Marina management pockets with a penny!!,thoughts for next year...Solent port hopping for a week, 2 weeks on the Scottish Lochs and canals and a few weekends kept as surprises!!But be warned do not believe any books you read on slipway facilities or what any boat yard tells you about their slipway!! although boat recovered safely without damage to boat car or persons every time and my husband with dry feet every time!!!
Hope you manage to take your boating this way and don't get stuck on the same old piece of river>

 

[lanason]

We live o mile or so from the OTHER Avon (the stratford one) just at ther point it joins the Severn (and thats on hell of a river in full flood)
I'm keen to hear how easy you find it to Tow a sizabke boat ??
Do you live nr Bristol ??
cus Scotland and Poole are miles away !!!!

 

[byron]

Cindy said "But be warned do not believe any books you read"
Books like newspapers are notoriously wrong, Macmillans make so many mistakes it's not to be trusted, one book someone showed me says my home is a Marina, MBM had a glaring error in the 'boat on fire on the Thames story' in the Nov. issue. Use books only as a rough guide and prepare for the unexpected.

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[Guest]

On our last boat we had 9 or 10 holidays from Bristol Avon to both Stourport and Stratford so I know your area well.Also had last boat for sell at Uoton for 8 months so did that trip up M5 quite a bit to check her out!![You're spot on with the flood on the Severn,I don't think any other river matches it]
We live in Bristol and every weekend we are not going'further afield #we take our Sealine 218 to the city docks and launch and recover her there.
From pulling up at slipway to being strapped down and trailer board on takes us a maximum of 15 minutes. We both have specific jobs and it works well.Husband hasn't got feet wet this year so far.
Towed her to Poole for Spring bank holiday week and got there in about 2 hours to Cobbs Quay.
Went to Thames for summer hols and got to Chertsey in about 2and half hours and recovered her from Lechlade so really had plenty of time on Thames as only did one way trip,best way we think to do it.
This is first time we have towed anything apart from a caravan for one summer about 17 years ago.
had no problems and we have no qualms about planning for Scotland next year and towing is very easy.
I regularly tow her back if steve's had a few beers!!! and I always drive when we are at the slipways,although I let Steve reverse her down them!!
Go for your towable boat you'll have so much fun and see so many different places..the world is your oyster!!
PS our friends also tow a falcon 23 behind a Land Cruiser and come with us.

 

[Guest]

Even worst Byron is what the marina management tell you about their own facilities!!!
We got the Chertsey this summer after phoning twice to confirm slipway sizes etc to be greeted with a low bar to stop travellers entering the road the boat yard was in.That had to be unpadlocked before we could enter yard.Then a very cluttered narrow enterance and a yard that looked like Steptoe and sons for boats!!
we negotiated her in,they wanted to then crane her in and charge but we said no so they literally turned her around using their tractor in a very confined space we then used our own vehicle to slip her and they had the cheek to charge us for an assisted slip of £25. They admitted to our friends that they couldn't use the tractor o the slip as the brakes were dodgey!!!
I was reluctant to even leave the trailer there for the 2 weeks and was quite relieved we were taking the car on to Thames and Kennet marina to enable us to come back for a wedding.
The biggest laugh was in this junk yard they had hire boats as well!!!God knows what they were like.
Thoroughly enjoyable holiday though, we love the Thames alot,but once bitten twice shy with some marina management though.
PS Ones at Cobbs Quay and Bucklers Hard were great.
PPS When we went to Dartmouth ,to use the public slipway by the higher ferry you had to stop the traffic coming off the fferry to launch or recover the boat,needless to say we used datrhaven instead at £42.30 and spoke nicely to the bank manager on our return!!!