shepperton to cookham

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woodlands

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Hi

very new to boating just about to plan our first adventure

could anyone tell us approx how long it would take (locks permitting) to go from shepperton to cookham

We have not yet attempted our first lock - has anyone any knowledge of dvd's on manouvering a lock or do we just "go for it"

thanks
woodlands
 
Very much do it yourself:-

get a copy of "a user's guide to the river Thames" Clicky here

Start at page 39.
Add up all the lock distances from Cookham to Shepperton
Divide by 4
add 1/3 (20 mins) for each lock
Grand total is the length of your trip in hours (approximately).

Page 11 gives you some tips on how to use a lock in attended mode, if "self service" board is displayed go up to the console (one at either end) and read the instructions.

seemples.
 
good words from True Blue and a useful link... And if you mean manoeuvring in the lock then just practice going alongside a mooring and stopping cleanly with the back neatly in. Remember to do everything slowly and that you don't tie up in the lock. Shepperton Lock has some very helpful staff. It is worth simply picking a quiet time and go through a few times. Let them know what you are doing. You'll be fine.
 
Welcome, locks just need loads of practice but make sure you are ready with fenders and ropes on each corner and someone on the bow to throw a bow line.

Shepperton to Cookham can be done in a day but if you want a mooring when you get there you need to arrive early afternoon, Cookhams moorings are very popular.

Shepperton to Windsor would be a good first trip, loads to see and do in Windsor.
 
I second Chris_d on first trip, Cookham is actaully a long old trip in a day if its busy >7 hours would be quite a reasonable expectation. Windsor will take you less than 5 hours and a sensibly early start gets you there early to mid afternoon. What boat have you got?
 
Sometimes it pays to go back to first principles, especially for a new user.
The guide has a mine of useful information - for anyone who is inclined to use it (being a cynic I don't think many folks can be bothered to read a load of stuff...), so rather than give a direct answer, I thought I'd let the OP do a bit of legwork.
You never know, he might be grateful for a bit more around the edges.

Seeing that a couple of folks have been kind enough to post details of their experiences, I went back to the book and totted up the figure:-

from Cookham lock,
2.08 + 2.13 + 3.17 + 2.33 + 3.00 + 2.92 + 2.84 + 1.95 + 2.06 = 30.4 miles (in old money) @ 4mph = 7.6 hours
Add 20 minutes per lock, allowing for some delays that's 9 locks = 3 hours

Total a conservative 10.3 hours. Boy racers will do it in less. At a weekend, well, who can guess that??

Scaling it back to what experienced users have achieved gives (to me at least) a reasonable correlation.

As to using a lock, perhaps the easiest way to introduce a (frightened) newcomer is to suggest mooring up near a lock and watch - perhaps with some amusement - how others attempt the process. Learn by their expertise, or more likely, mistakes.

To my mind, locking should be fun, not traumatic.
Many treat locks as a (necessary) evil.
Shouldn't be; ought to be a pleasant diversion from rushing along in convoy with every one else.
A time to pause....
 
RichardShead said:
Wot no pubs? that's crazy talk...........
Click to expand...

One thing at a time, dear boy.
Conquer the infrastructure first, then discover the watering holes, restaurants, moorings and other pleasures in due course.

Of course, if the OP is distressed, it might be politic to point out that many locks have public loos....

There's such a thing as information overload!
 
Innit about time on of you ......

......geni got out yer camera, caught the whole cycle on video and uploaded it to Youtube ?
No good asking me only any good at one picture at a time.
 
Chris_d said:
Welcome, locks just need loads of practice but make sure you are ready with fenders and ropes on each corner and someone on the bow to throw a bow line.

Shepperton to Cookham can be done in a day but if you want a mooring when you get there you need to arrive early afternoon, Cookhams moorings are very popular.

Shepperton to Windsor would be a good first trip, loads to see and do in Windsor.
Click to expand...

Seconded all the way through! But what is your boat?
 
TrueBlue said:
Very much do it yourself:-

get a copy of "a user's guide to the river Thames" Clicky here

Start at page 39.
Add up all the lock distances from Cookham to Shepperton
Divide by 4
add 1/3 (20 mins) for each lock
Grand total is the length of your trip in hours (approximately).

Page 11 gives you some tips on how to use a lock in attended mode, if "self service" board is displayed go up to the console (one at either end) and read the instructions.

seemples.
Click to expand...
Hi TrueBlu

Very kind of you to tot up the figures for us. We will take advice and do some audience participation at the lock before attempting ourselves. Then look out we are going for it!!!!

Woodlands
 
Thanks to everyone for your advice

It is our first post at the forum and glad everyone is so friendly - I think we must take the advice to head for Oxford for our first trip and look up that users guide to the Thames. 8 hours without a g+ t stop - I dont think so !!!

Woodlands
 
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