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ms1

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So who was in that white speedboat (black outboard motor ) that just went barreling past Laleham Wharf at about 15 knots
..... 2145 hours SAT 04JUNE
 
They came barrelling down the Staines reach as well

Didn't catch the name of the boat, there were four lads on board when it went upstream earlier, they were going a litte bit too fast then but nothing like the return journey which must have been around 20-25 knots!!!!

Quite a pointy 1980s speedboat with a big "old-style" mercury outboard?
 
Pretty sure, I saw this at 1325 queuing to get in Penton lock (going up) yesterday, had three blokes on it although one was drinking Rose....

Looked like and old Ring or Phanton however I was surprised by the outboard as it was only 50hp and they usually have something far more substantial.

Must have a visitors license so maybe ask Penton Lock?
 
Had similar on the Ouse yesterday. Took boat out of marina to decant supermarket petrol from me 2 25Ltr outboard fuel cans to my main tank out on the fuel dock out on the river.

15 -16 foot -ish speedboat loaded down with about 5 people and gunnels nearly underwater, bow igh in the air came past with mercury 50 outbaord sounding like it was at full chat, although they were only managing about 10 knots.

Feckin wake from it was about 3 feet high and I had to shout at swmbo to sit down quick.
Luckily no damage was done, but the sound of creaking, groaning and screeching from the pontoon was horrendous.................... And that was just me, the pontoon was making horrendous noises of its own.

I tend to turn a blind eye to speeders on empty reaches, heck. I have been a bit careless with the throttle at times myself in such circumstances; but to do it past moored boats and on occupied reaches is in my book, plain irresponsible.
 
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Pretty sure, I saw this at 1325 queuing to get in Penton lock (going up) yesterday, had three blokes on it although one was drinking Rose....

Looked like and old Ring or Phanton however I was surprised by the outboard as it was only 50hp and they usually have something far more substantial.

Must have a visitors license so maybe ask Penton Lock?

That sounds very much like the one! They came past me around 1345ish (overtook as I was lining up for the centre arch of Staines bridge, I took the right hand arch as there was a boat coming down - Gavi in fact; I nearly called him to ask whether it was worth showing these lads the benefit of steel over GRP...) and the outboard said 50hp - I was wondering whether that could have been correct as it was flying down the reach last night and I think they were four up then.
 
15 -16 foot -ish speedboat loaded down with about 5 people and gunnels nearly underwater, bow igh in the air came past with mercury 50 outbaord sounding like it was at full chat, although they were only managing about 10 knots.

Feckin wake from it was about 3 feet high and I had to shout at swmbo to sit down quick

I think this is the "eBay" effect. Bunch of johnnies bid on a cheapish boat when they get back from the pub and end up buying it thinking they'll do a bit of fishing, take it for a spin on their nearest waterway, have a couple of Stellas and can't resist opening the taps.

The wake from our man on the Thames wasn't as bad as it could be because they were planing nicely; the worst scenario is, as you say, at full chat but still displacing.

Whilst I sort of agree with what you say about empty reaches, it knackers the banks and makes mincemeat of the local fauna!
 
Bang on.

The Ebay boaters don't bother looking up rules, yet although they know it's very naughty, they don't realise the horrific unseen damage those speeds leave behind.

Loving the 'Rose' comment from Mssr Shead...ROFLMAO :D
 
They came barrelling down the Staines reach as well

Didn't catch the name of the boat, there were four lads on board when it went upstream earlier, they were going a litte bit too fast then but nothing like the return journey which must have been around 20-25 knots!!!!

Quite a pointy 1980s speedboat with a big "old-style" mercury outboard?

White pointy thing ... that would be the one
Three lads I think
and three feet of wash.
 
Had similar on the Ouse yesterday. Took boat out of marina to decant supermarket petrol from me 2 25Ltr outboard fuel cans to my main tank out on the fuel dock out on the river.

15 -16 foot -ish speedboat loaded down with about 5 people and gunnels nearly underwater, bow igh in the air came past with mercury 50 outbaord sounding like it was at full chat, although they were only managing about 10 knots.

Feckin wake from it was about 3 feet high and I had to shout at swmbo to sit down quick.
Luckily no damage was done, but the sound of creaking, groaning and screeching from the pontoon was horrendous.................... And that was just me, the pontoon was making horrendous noises of its own.

I tend to turn a blind eye to speeders on empty reaches, heck. I have been a bit careless with the throttle at times myself in such circumstances; but to do it past moored boats and on occupied reaches is in my book, plain irresponsible.

Hi Tinkicker,

How did the boats and pontoons moored opposite the fuel berth fare? Mines one of them, I've only just brought it back to my Ouse mooring for the summer! I won't be visiting until Wednesday.

Sorry for the thread drift Thames folk.
 
Hi Martin, Now I know where you were lurking yesterday.

Three feet of wash is almost enough to strand you on the bank so, lucky escape (I hope) What about all the boats moored all along that stretch from the bridge.

Don't you wish for them to experience the damage they can do !

John D
 
Hi Tinkicker,

How did the boats and pontoons moored opposite the fuel berth fare? Mines one of them, I've only just brought it back to my Ouse mooring for the summer! I won't be visiting until Wednesday.

Sorry for the thread drift Thames folk.


Lots of bobbing up and down, banging and crashing. Don't know if there was any damage though.Too concerned with staying on my feet.
 
John
the boat nearly did jump out of the water. I had to jump out and do what I could.. etc..
We had not long returned from a meal at The Three Horseshoes .. a few minutes later and goodness knows what we might have found.
I armed myself with camera for their return but they did not come back; and I saw no sign of the boat when returning downstream to home port on following morning.
 
I think I saw the same boat on Sunday between Bray and Boulter's lock. There were 3 guys in it they were not speeding, however they were messing about really rocking the boat from side to side trying to get one of them to fall out.

We did comment to each other as we went past that they were behaving like d%$£s.
 
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