St Katherines

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Kristal

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cked up for Aggrivated Arson
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It would seem I have a new addictive and expensive lifestyle quirk to worry about. Having had a gorgeous sail down the Thames (even the bit involving the lifeboat was nice, ahem) I'm now ensconsed in St Kats for a week...

And it's so lovely. I've heard a lot of opinions about St Kats, mostly regarding the expense to stay here, but for my money, having a beautiful berth in the centre basin, directly outside the pub, and with a view of Tower Bridge, and having a chappie turning up this morning to take away our gash bags... it's wonderful. I'm seriously considering selling a grandparent to buy an annual berth.

Is there a catch? Or am I just an incorrigible ponce? Is there anybody else who likes it as much as I do?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.crystaltwo.co.uk/>Crystal II in Pictures</A>
 
Did you manage to sail through the Swale?

And what's this about a lifeboat, then?

P.S. St Kats is gorgeous on a sunny day, but just another overpriced marina in the rain. Aren't they all?

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Not smitten with St Kats. Very pleasant in the sun, miserable hole designed for tourists, not boaters, in the rain.

Asking about any form of swindlery for a label saying "Diesel Fuel Only" smiling staff directed me to Nauticalia.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.
 
Not been there before,going on the bank holiday weekend,try not to leave a mess!
Regards,Al.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.
 
Re: St Katherines Warning

Had a mate who lived on a Westerly in St Kats. He slipped a disc below decks and had to be extracted from the boat by firemen. So don't bend down if you moor there, or it could happen to you.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Once you are in its ok but the incompetence of the lock staff has to be seen to be believed.Or have I been unlucky the last few years.

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Glad you made it without too many problems??, but yes there are others who are equally enthusiastic about the delights of St Kats. As for pricing, its a lot less than down on the S. Coast, particularly if you book 4 or more= 20% discount!!, that makes it cheaper than Shotley/Levington.....Have a good week. Tony W.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tony W.
 
A few years back ( too many to recall ) I was working in London for 2 weeks, stayed at St Kath's hotel .Spent all my spare time by the Yacht basin.. or in one of the bars alongside....
Vowed I would sail in one day and stay for a few weeks... haven't achieved this ambition , but really fell in love with the place. Didn't know it was very expensive though.. How much per night for say a 48' er ?
BrianJ

<hr width=100% size=1>BrianJ
 
No you haven't been unlucky. It has taken over an hour to lock through every time for me and the attitude of the staff is 'take it or leave it'.

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Not too many problems. The only real one was running out of wind a hell of a lot sooner than I'd expected, and then being unable to get diesel. So we ran out of propulsion at the QEII bridge at Dartford, and drifted on the tide with all sails set until two in the morning. Eventually losing steerage way at slack water, we tried to take a berth on one of the commercial quays, but couldn't make it in close enough so dropped the hook and alerted Woolwich Radio that we were probably a hazard to shipping. They sent the lifeboat out to recover us.

I felt pretty rotten unti I discovered that the crew were working a watch, so we didn't get them out of bed, and that they quite enjoyed the chance to get out on the river and play with their jetboat. And anyway, it was the only thing to do to not upset the ships. And I'm keeping quiet about going aground TWICE in Oare Creek in one tide!

Locking in took forever, nainly due to a large flotilla of Belgians who all nipped in before me. However, I was placed in a corner of the centre basin with a few other classics and a Thames Barge, which is nice, as I'm now typing this whilst sitting on the foredeck and watching summery media-type ladies filming something. Very pleasant.

Prices are actually comparitively reasonable compared to some prominent marinas on the coast. A 48-footer for a week would cost just over £200 by my estimation. But worth every penny if you want to get out and about in Central London, and have somewhere lovely to sit in the evneings.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.crystaltwo.co.uk/>Crystal II in Pictures</A>
 
I've had nothing but good times there - the locking has never been a problem, though I do always take the line that I'm the skipper, and the lock staff there or anywhere else are providing a service to me. I've avoided EVER waiting on a buoy by careful planning and a phone call for the locking times. In good weather it's great, in bad weather, YOU'RE IN LONDON!! Go out and enjoy it!!

Also, it seems to be a place where yotties and stinkies get along very well. Unlike certain marinas I could mention.

I'll be back this summer.

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