Search for a new berth continues - Views on Chatham and the Medway

[oldgit]

Was rather hoping that a Thames boater or two would be spluttering into their champagne flutes and throwing their canapés in the air by now.......spect that most of them have gone to ground after all a decent run to Henley once a year is more than enough boating for any chap.

 

[No Regrets]

In fairness most of us go tidal a few times a year! The scenery between Bray and St Kats is totally epic in terms of quality and variety.

The scenery beyond is rather disappointing by any standards...

 

[Flynnbarr]

Was rather hoping that a Thames boater or two would be spluttering into their champagne flutes and throwing their canapés in the air by now.......spect that most of them have gone to ground after all a decent run to Henley once a year is more than enough boating for any chap.

Not a chance old chap,most sense you've made on here for ages

 

[Markhammond]

Great article

Thank for pointing in the direction of your article, it's sounds like you had a fabulous trip and i hope to replicate some of this with my trip from Brighton. Though I doubt I'll be having the weather you did given I'll be travelling in late March early April.

Out of interest, how big an impact did the tides have? I'll be heading up for the Medway so in all likelihood I'll be hit one way of the other by the tides. My Sealine S29 has a draft of under a metre and height of 3.5 metres so am I likely to be impeded by any of the bridges even at high tide?

Sounds like the right choice to keep the family onside, which is crucial if you want to continue to enjoy a shared hobby together. I know of one or two who have pushed too hard and the family have not kept up with the inevitable result that the boat eventually goes. The non-tidal Thames is everything that others have described and with the great benefit of being able to head downstream as family confidence builds.

Having said all that I am with oldgit.....we loved our cruise to the non-tidal Thames a couple of years ago (report published in this months Mortorboat Owner if you want to get a flavour) but it is too 'manicured' for us to be there permanently. All down to personal preference though and I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from mooring there.

 

[Greg2]

You shouldn't have too many problems with depth or bridge heights. Ideally you want to go upriver on a rising tide and many of the London bridges have a lot of height clearance. There are one or two exceptions and we had our mast down for part of the trip, which gave us an air draft of 10'8". If I recall correctly Hammersmith bridge is one of the lowest but there is a cruising guide and bridge heights listed on the Port of London website.

Might be worth planning an overnighter in one of the London marinas and plan to leave as soon as the tidal window for the lock opens. Gallions Point has the biggest window but probably not the best place for an overnighter if you want eateries etc nearby. St Kats is the best for that and is in a great location. Just be prepared to keep checking on your booking to ensure you have a space.

 

[oldgit]

Going with the tide as much as possible over the whole of the trip will save you both time and fuel .
You will of course be picking a nice benign weather forecast and checking the best time to go round Beachy Head and The North Foreland regarding distance offshore and wind/tide conditions

 

[Markhammond]

Absolutely, it's the leg up the Thames where I'll have less control in terms of timing. I plan to go from Brighton to Eastbourne, then from there to Chatham, where I can keep the boat for a couple of weeks. From there I hope to get to Lime house or Chiswick, before heading on to Penton Hook where she will be taken out the water and have her anodes changed. Then it'll be the finally leg up to Bray.

Going with the tide as much as possible over the whole of the trip will save you both time and fuel .
You will of course be picking a nice benign weather forecast and checking the best time to go round Beachy Head and The North Foreland regarding distance offshore and wind/tide conditions

 

[oldgit]

Have frequently done the Chatham to Thames trip usually trying to time our arrival off Southend so that we have the tide all the way with us up to the lock.
If you do it in one one hit without overnighting in a central London marina, plan take your time over the bit from Greenwich to Chelsea, nice slowish creep will enable you to savour the experience as opposed to .... got to get this bit over to make the lock window panic.
The bit up the estuary is dull dull dull but perks up from the O2 and the Sky train.
Keep and eye out for all the old river side pubs hidden away on the shore and apart from the obvious stuff,things like the home of Boris and the Mi5 are always worth searching out.
Should you wish to explore beyond MDL Chatham , RCC are just round the corner, let me know if you fancy popping round for an overnighter or perhaps just a lunchtime snack one Saturday.
You can do it here or speak to Tracy at the lockhouse in MDL.

 

[Markhammond]

Thanks very much that's great advice. I assume to hit the incoming tide on the Thames I'll have to leave Chatham at low ride and I guess it'll take a couple of hours to hit the estuary before I can open her up till I get to the Thames barrier. If I've got the speed limits right it's 8 knots all the way from the barrier to Teddington and 6 there after. Is that right?

I can't wait to hit the O2, I was brought up near Greenwich so seeing it from the river on my own boat is something I can't wait to experience. Same goes for hitting Central London. After crossing Hungerford bridge heading into Charing Cross for the last 20 years it'll be amazing to pass underneath in my own boat.

And thanks for the offer of meeting up, I'll take you up on the offer as soon as I get to Chatham.

Have frequently done the Chatham to Thames trip usually trying to time our arrival off Southend so that we have the tide all the way with us up to the lock.
If you do it in one one hit without overnighting in a central London marina, plan take your time over the bit from Greenwich to Chelsea, nice slowish creep will enable you to savour the experience as opposed to .... got to get this bit over to make the lock window panic.
The bit up the estuary is dull dull dull but perks up from the O2 and the Sky train.
Keep and eye out for all the old river side pubs hidden away on the shore and apart from the obvious stuff,things like the home of Boris and the Mi5 are always worth searching out.
Should you wish to explore beyond MDL Chatham , RCC are just round the corner, let me know if you fancy popping round for an overnighter or perhaps just a lunchtime snack one Saturday.
You can do it here or speak to Tracy at the lockhouse in MDL.

 

[oldgit]

Keep an eye out for the Quantum Cloud, it is seen at its absolute best from any boat passing by.

Also not far away at LW you can still see the blocks on the foreshore where the Great Eastern was built.
For the really keen, spot where the old London bridge, flogged off the Americans used to be.