Shepperton to St.Katherines

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KDeacon62

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Will be taking my new boat from Windsor to South Coast shortly, and will be my first time to cover the Lower Thames/Estuary, but before i get onto that (more later) any help, tips or guidance for the section from points around Shepperton to St.Katherines Marina, including entry/exit of St.Kat itself?
 
Alternative to above.
Leave Teddington at or just after high water to give you the start of the ebb and good clearance at Hammersmith.
Forget about StKats and go straight for Ramsgate, or if your short of daylight overnight at Imperial Wharf and catch a good ebb the next day.
 
Which course of action might depend on the speed of the boat concerned.
10 knots and plan A.
30 Knots and plan B.
Would always get out as soon as you have enough water.
A river full of rowers could ruin your plan from the word go.
A crack of dawn weekday probably gives a decent chance of a quick run down to Tower Bridge, after that it's all down to weather and your personal endurance levels ?
Have yet to fail to make St Kat's from either Teddington or via the rather mucky Richmond Lock.
Plan to be at barrier just as it lifts and the water drips on you as you go under.?
For comfort try to avoid anything with NE wind against tide.
Anything more than F5 in the estuary usually will be regarded by some as an "interesting" trip.
 
Last edited:
As OG says it's all dependent on boat speed, number of rowers, time and height of tides, and air draught.
I' m due to go down next week with bldy afternoon spring tides and a 12ft air draught.
So it's Teddington to Imperial mid afternoon on the ebb , then the next afternoon's ebb outwards. My crew don't like creeping around in darkness !
 
For belt and braces, the little PLA free laminated map is v. useful.
Have used the marina phone number details to get into South Dock when caution got to prevail over Valor and all other marinas had their lock gates shut.
Some carefree souls consider that map to be a very useful( not for navigation) to get you from Teddington to No1 Bouy.
Especially when to change radio frequencies.
One more tip Do not wander all over the place or cut corners.
You will be told off.....???
 
Last edited:
Portland Billy said:
Alternative to above.
Leave Teddington at or just after high water to give you the start of the ebb and good clearance at Hammersmith.
Forget about StKats and go straight for Ramsgate, or if your short of daylight overnight at Imperial Wharf and catch a good ebb the next day.
Click to expand...
i'm taking 3 weeks to get back to Cornwall (my 60th birthday gift to myself) so really do want to take it in short chunks and get some R&R inbetween, but thanks for the advice, all greatfully received....
oldgit said:
Which course of action might depend on the speed of the boat concerned.
10 knots and plan A.
30 Knots and plan B.
Would always get out as soon as you have enough water.
A river full of rowers could ruin your plan from the word go.
A crack of dawn weekday probably gives a decent chance of a quick run down to Tower Bridge, after that it's all down to weather and your personal endurance levels ?
Have yet to fail to make St Kat's from either Teddington or via the rather mucky Richmond Lock.
Plan to be at barrier just as it lifts and the water drips on you as you go under.?
For comfort try to avoid anything with NE wind against tide.
Anything more than F5 in the estuary usually will be regarded by some as an "interesting" trip.
Click to expand...
thank you for the words of wisdom, greatfully received.
 
What have I learnt here/research seems to suggest that having water at Teddington/Hammersmith is key #1, and making St.Kats locking time is key #2, at least for that leg. So as long as I have an alternative to St.Kats, this leg should be relatively straight forwards. It’s about a two hour punt from Teddington to St.Kats so I should be able to hit a locking window? I’m only 2.3m headroom so should be ok for bridges,unlike my last boat with flybridge! Just how bad is the depth challenge at Teddington and Hammersmith, I need 0.8/9m with engine full down and can trim a bit if needed?
 
We draw 1 metre.
If you go through the barrier as soon as it rises you will have water all the way down.
If you use the lock the lockie will let you go as soon as he and you thinks there is enough water to float.
Just take care and carefully follow your chart for maximum water the first mile or so and you should be OK.

1654880144320.png


as for locking in to St Kats some prefer not to use the waiting bouys but to hold station across the far side of the river.
The boats waiting to go in do not always listen to the marina boss order of lock entry with yachts being the worst offenders.
If things go to plan you will be told where and which side of the lock to moor over the radio.
The floating lock pontoon is on the starboard side of the lock.
While in lock you will be provided with neat little diagram detailing the location of your berth.
They then ask you to wander back round to the lock office after you are settled.
Lightweight boats especially those with outdrives need to keep and eye out for light breezes which can catch you unawares as you negociate into the finger berths.
 
Last edited:
oldgit said:
We draw 1 metre.
If you go through the barrier as soon as it rises you will have water all the way down.
If you use the lock the lockie will let you go as soon as he and you thinks there is enough water to float.
Just take care and carefully follow your chart for maximum water the first mile or so and you should be OK.

View attachment 136685


as for locking in to St Kats some prefer not to use the waiting bouys but to hold station across the far side of the river.
The boats waiting to go in do not always listen to the marina boss order of lock entry with yachts being the worst offenders.
If things go to plan you will be told where and which side of the lock to moor over the radio.
The floating lock pontoon is on the starboard side of the lock.
While in lock you will be provided with neat little diagram detailing the location of your berth.
They then ask you to wander back round to the lock office after you are settled.
Lightweight boats especially those with outdrives need to keep and eye out for light breezes which can catch you unawares as you negociate into the finger berths.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice and thank you.
 
oldgit said:
For belt and braces, the little PLA free laminated map is v. useful.
Have used the marina phone number details to get into South Dock when caution got to prevail over Valor and all other marinas had their lock gates shut.
Some carefree souls consider that map to be a very useful( not for navigation) to get you from Teddington to No1 Bouy.
Especially when to change radio frequencies.
One more tip Do not wander all over the place or cut corners.
You will be told off.....???
Click to expand...
Where can I get that laminated map from please?
 
oldgit said:
We draw 1 metre.
If you go through the barrier as soon as it rises you will have water all the way down.
If you use the lock the lockie will let you go as soon as he and you thinks there is enough water to float.
Just take care and carefully follow your chart for maximum water the first mile or so and you should be OK.

View attachment 136685


as for locking in to St Kats some prefer not to use the waiting bouys but to hold station across the far side of the river.
The boats waiting to go in do not always listen to the marina boss order of lock entry with yachts being the worst offenders.
If things go to plan you will be told where and which side of the lock to moor over the radio.
The floating lock pontoon is on the starboard side of the lock.
While in lock you will be provided with neat little diagram detailing the location of your berth.
They then ask you to wander back round to the lock office after you are settled.
Lightweight boats especially those with outdrives need to keep and eye out for light breezes which can catch you unawares as you negociate into the finger berths.
Click to expand...
Where does one get that laminated little map you mentioned earlier(not for navigation as you mentioned) but as belt n braces?
 
Limehouse marina office used to have the PLA laminated chart as a free item on the counter in the office. Not sure if they still have it. It is quite a good item I agree.

Never noticed but it's possible you can get one at Teddington. It would be sensible for the PLA to do that as it is s useful way of reducing the chances of accidents or problems caused by a basic lack of knowledge.
 
Outinthedinghy said:
Limehouse marina office used to have the PLA laminated chart as a free item on the counter in the office. Not sure if they still have it. It is quite a good item I agree.

Never noticed but it's possible you can get one at Teddington. It would be sensible for the PLA to do that as it is s useful way of reducing the chances of accidents or problems caused by a basic lack of knowledge.
Click to expand...

Ha ! You’d be lucky if you were able to step off the boat let alone head into the office. Health and safety does not allow it in Tedd now.
 
If you joined the Thames club yopu got free map and a PLA tide table,has this now one under "rationalisation" etc ?
Being laminated it was blimming useful and lasted for ages.
Had helpful distance to Tower Bridge calibration , to give you an idea if to speed up or ease of in the lower reaches.
 
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