Some Medway advice.....?

[Parabordi]

As the Thames part of this forum has died a death apart from trolls irritating us all....

So........What is the right time of the tide to leave Chatham to go up to Maidstone to have enough water to float in but be low enough to get under Aylesford bridge?

Last time i did it was 30years ago on a much smaller boat so i cant remember!!

Boat is a Doily-endowed Broom 37.

Oh, and when is the right time to leave Allington Lock to come back again.

I cant imagine who is going to reply to this!!

 

[Murv]

H.W Rochester - 3hrs 30 minutes should be about right to give sufficient air and water draft assuming you're not vastly more than 3.7m air draft, but see what the maestro says! (all at own risk etc)
We usually charge out of the lock when it opens at H.W- 2 hours and thunder downstream to scrape under the bridge before it's too late. However, last time, under Fred's guidance, we left at H.W Allington +1 and had a far more leisurely plod downstream.
The weather can have quite a profound effect on timings though, so keep a very close eye on your depth gauge. I always have a hand on the levers so that I can knock it into neutral if it gets under 2" clearance between the props and the bottom but hopefully shouldn't be quite that tight!
Mind you, I guess you have the benefit of something lower than the props on your broom?


This is Aylesford bridge at low water when it should have been dry enough to walk through, but the river was in flood at Maidstone...

https://youtu.be/AI_LFjSTOr4

 

[Parabordi]

Thanks much appreciated!

Only problem is when we are going to be there, thats either 4o clock in morning or afternoon.

 

[Murv]

Always good fun planning tidal journeys at this time of year!
Personally, that run between Elmhaven and Allington isn't one I'd want to do at night, there is an awful lot of junk in the river there from logs, gas bottles, picnic tables through to ropes etc so you really need to keep a sharp eye out.
There are restrictions on the lock opening times in winter as well, I can't remember what they are (nothing too restrictive,) website is here:

http://www.allingtonlock.co.uk/home.php


Don't let me put you off though, it's a lovely run and we're doing it again this weekend

 

[Parabordi]

Yeah its very previous for us, was looking at it for Whitsun next year.

 

[oldgit]

our rather wobbly formula is thus.............

HW at Allington from Easy Tide. Say 12.00 noon.
Lock Gates usually open 2 Hours prior. 10.00 AM.
Time @ 4-5 knots to arrive as gates open 1H.30 mins.
Depart Rochester Bridge 08.30.AM

Big springs you could go little earlier to ensure plenty of airdraft under Aylesford Bridge.
There is in fact a reasonably large window which ensures both water under and airdraft over the top.
Have been up early enough with the Princess 35 to have left up all the aerials up and had decent clearance.
If it all goes a bit pear shaped and you cannot get under bridge, plan B is to moor at a concrete wall,the remains of an old petroleum wharf, and wait for tide to turn.
The is ample time to get under bridge and make your way the short distance to lock long before they close the gates.

As for the return, they will chuck you out as soon as there is a metre over the cill but it means punching the tide and abit of a rush to get under bridge, the more sensible flybridge boater waits until an hour after high water and exits on the ebb.
We have a couple of Broom Crown owners who not only laugh at Aylesford but regularly go under East Farleigh.