Some Basic Advice - Cruising to London

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Brian H

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Just registered so here goes........... have boated on the thames for 25 years and am moored at Bray. have a Broom 39 which is 6 years old but have never taken her to London. Have come from Limehouse basin to upper Thames only once so just a couple of questions:

1. is the Thames actually tidal at Kingston. eg if I moor there overnight is htere anything I should be doing especially as regards mooring?

2. I think can figure out the tide situation and hopefully when to depart through Richmond to arrive at Limehouse within the allotted opening period. However, approx how long ( cruising at an average speed) will it take me to get to Limehouse Basin?

3. I get confusing answers from the web as to speed limits. I think it is 4 kph to Wandsworth, then it changes to the Barrier where it changes again??

Any advise for a nervous first timer going to London gratefully recieved. Now I have retired I plan to take my day skipper and eventually head out further.....if the nerves will allow. Can you hire day skippers to accompany you if you are only a novice?

Probably too many questions - apologies if the case - I will learn the rules!

Thanks
Brian H
 
Hi Brian

Welcome!

Firstly, whenever I've headed into London, if I have needed to I have moored at Teddington the night before (i've not done that for a few years as I've been on the coast so presume the moorings are still OK), but Kingston will be OK - it's not tidal. Below Teddington it's half tide to Richmond.

You will need to time your trip to pass through Richmond lock at after low water as the tide begins to come in, making sure there is enough depth below the lock. The next obsticle is Hammersmith bridge - you need to get there before the water gets too high, preventing you passing under, but guess you can fold your radar arch if need be. The rest of the cruise downstream is straight forward. Speed limits apply above Wandsworth bridge, but there is an excessive wash restriction which I belive runs to Tower Bridge, but seems to be enforced up until the barrier (having been boarded myself more than once by the PLA for accidently going too fast in this area!). Running at a steady 7-10 knts will see you at Limehouse in good time.

I'm now moored at Bray, on pontoon I28, so happy to give you some advice face to face, as I'm sure many others on here will be happy to do too... some who will know far, far more than me :-)

Mark
 
Hi Mark

Thank you very much for the welcome and info - much appreciated. I shall send you a private message as we share the same Marina so as not to bore everyone !! Look forward to meeting soon.


Brian
 
1. Not as such. I gather that at very high spirng tides (weir runs backwards at Teddington and they go free flow) its theoretically tidal to Molesey, but not so as you would notice! Close to that last weekend!
2. Last weekend, on springs, left Teddington moorings at 04:00, arrived at Limehouse about 07:30 peaking at about 10 knots with the ebb. I had a shade over 4m at Hammersmith at about 05:00 and had to drop radio twig and anchor light mast to creep under with about 0.2m clearance. Know your air draught and check cleanance on the gauge upstream and downstream of the bridge. Min is 3.6m MHWS. Limehouse entrance lock is HW +/- 4 hours so you could leave Richmond an hour after HW London Bridge and be OK, depending on your draught. Limehouse entrance has a swing bridge, they will advise clearance and swing for you if need be.
3. Speed limit is 8 knots from Teddington to Wandsworth Bridge, then 12 knots to the Barrier, in practice its more linked to the amount of wash you are making and how busy the river might be.

The ebb can run at up to 4 knots or so and makes a big difference if you ride it down. Between Richmond Barrier and Hammersmith are some shallows, its a good idea to have a chart (Imray C2 is good) Know the symbols for closed bridge arches, the significance of an isophase light on a bridge arch and the sound signals in use on the river. Monitor VHF Ch14.

Richmond Barrier is lifted local HW +/-2 hrs, the PLA website has a tide table (check GMT/BST) The lock is a vile experience and they have the neck to charge as well!

As for hiring a skipper, I'm sure there are many on the river who will happlly accompany you on a trip, but beware, some of them have a taste for a drop or two:-)

I'll add some suitable pix later, connection here is rubbish atm.
 
Thanks Andrew

This is really helpful. Yes - I remember Hammersmith - we have a hydraulic arch fitted so no problem there, although we still have to beat the high tide to get through. I will get the chart and review depths as you suggest - so once again, much appreciated. I think I will leave the skipper option for now and concentrate on gaining my own experience / with (sober) friends first !
Much appreciated
Brian
 
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