St Kats - and London marinas - Not exactly customer focussed.

[Seajet]

Been to Greenwich MM a couple of times lately - must admit found it hugely disappointing compared to previously memories of the place. It's gone all primary school educational/lowest common denominator/museum as an experience namby-pamby.

The SciMus maritime bit (tucked away towards the top of the building) is pretty much as it ever was, and is a haven of peace and quiet compared to the jambouree that goes on in other parts of the noble institution. Don't think anything much has changed for decades - it still seems to be pre-containerships.

BTW the Cutty Sark has been reopened for a couple of years, and is also dumbed right down and is now an 'experience'.

That is the saddest thing I have read in ages.

They say a society should be judged by how they treat their elderly, I agree and I think we - UK - do it very poorly and should be ashamed.

They / I also think we should be judged by our museums...

 

[thamesS23]

just had a quick look at a map as don't know the area around the docks to well, but could see that a large area that would make a great marina at Shadwell basin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadwell_Basin

but from what I can see they have blocked access to it from the Thames, which seems a shame

 

[oldgit]

West India is an interesting alternative.They need a decent number of boats to open lock and will only do so virtually at top of tide due to sheer amount of water in the chamber.
One of our group had a bike (chained to fence) stolen under our noses when we last visted.Do not leave anything unattended on quayside.

The Gun near lock entrance is good gastro pub or you can walk to chain restuarants at Canary.It can be long cold windy walk in springtime.
Excellent museum
Avoid the floating chinese restuarant,mostly dire reports.
You WILL need long ropes to reach top of chamber when arriving .

 

[mersey]

Poplar Dock is not the same as West India, but both are accessed by the same lock (West India 'Blue Bridge') which is a lifting bridge. West India is run directly by CaRT, while Poplar is run by BWML (who also run Limehouse, and is managed by the staff at Limehouse, so you need to call the same guy, Emar).

There are a few bridges to pass to get to Poplar from West India, but all lift or swing, you get escorted round by a CaRT workboat.

However, there have not been any visitor moorings at Poplar from a long time, at least 8yrs maybe more.

Some more info on what's currently going on at Poplar here : http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?387994-Their-old-project-MFV-Wylam

 

[toad]

Has anyone got a contact no for West India Dock or knows who runs it, not much on Google.

 

[mersey]

020 7517 5550

 

[Cantata]

Has anyone got a contact no for West India Dock or knows who runs it, not much on Google.

Amongst the details in 'East Coast Pilot':
Dock Office 020 7987 7260
Bookings: 020 7517 5550
Website http://www.waterscape.com (which now redirects to http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/)

 

[No Regrets]

West India Dock is a PITA,

Nothing to see in the vicinity, no water or power to most boats in reality.

Toilet facilities dire, and disabled toilet down steep stairs...LOL

15 minute walk to Canary Wharf, if you consider that an attraction, most of the Restaurants don't give a monkeys about customer service...

The floating Chinese...Oh dear! More a floating turd....

I wouldn't ever bother going back to WID.

 

[nickf]

Avoid the floating chinese restuarant,mostly dire reports.

Way off the op but I have to say had really good meal here last week with a good number of Chinese families there. Just wander what you base this statement on? Trip advisor has a whole range of views although some of the derogatory ones do not even describe the location of the toilets accurately. No personal agenda here just had a good meal but maybe I was lucky. I do understand that you will need to book for its Dim Sum at weekends.

 

[toad]

Amongst the details in 'East Coast Pilot':
Dock Office 020 7987 7260
Bookings: 020 7517 5550
Website http://www.waterscape.com (which now redirects to http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/)

Ta, never thought to look in 'East Coast Pilot':

 

[Cantata]

Ta, never thought to look in 'East Coast Pilot':

Oooooh. After all the effort we put in....:encouragement:

 

[dratsea]

Catana: Good response, love it.

Back to OP. You are clearly adventurous, ever been to Gravelines? Had a couple of really good Easters there, but more than a bit "tidal" If you want to stay UK then the barge at Queenborough is great but probably booked by Rochester (MB) club for Easter weekend. If you ask nicely the bosun at MYC Steve may be able to find you berths (might nee a letter commodore to commodore), much better food than Limehouse and there is a really good pub just down the road if not Fri/Sat/Sun. If enough boats the club may even provide a trot boat driver but be aware that Peter will return with a bottle, throw the top over the side and not leave until you have finished it!

Oh happy days,

All on Sara Jane in Whangarei, NZ

 

[Birdseye]

Chattinglil who has a boat in St Kats told me yesterday that they were intent on bumping up berthing fees to a level where the place would be full of gin palaces who don't care about the cost of a place in London. This is because the new manager is on a mission to turn a profit instead of losses as previously. She still doesn't know what her berth will cost on renewal on 1st April. No respect for berth holders or visitors.

I guess this is a reasonable approach if you are full but losing money.

 

[oldgit]

Way off the op but I have to say had really good meal here last week with a good number of Chinese families there. Just wander what you base this statement on? Trip advisor has a whole range of views although some of the derogatory ones do not even describe the location of the toilets accurately. No personal agenda here just had a good meal but maybe I was lucky. I do understand that you will need to book for its Dim Sum at weekends.

Our club has used the floating chinese restuarant about three time when we have visited the dock.
Main complaints (from admittedly grumpy old grannies and grandad types ) were cold food,slow service and general lack of interest.Have heard some accounts of it being OK.But if people actually take the trouble to warn you about somewhere and it is a repeated message you tend to heed the advice.

 

[ChattingLil]

As far as I can tell, about half the berth holders have received an email giving the new rates and option to renew berth (we have not received it yet! Neither have at least 3 others that I know of). So, officially, we still don't know. However, those that have received the new tarif have of course shared it and the rate increase are not as high as some expected. For a boat our size, it's an increase of about 8%. Electricity charge is the same and the rate card does still show day, week and month rates.

 

[ChattingLil]

Quick update from St Kats.

The manager there is reading this thread, so is aware of some visitors' concerns. The manager didn't know that some of us haven't received the renewals - and has remedied that now, so that's good.

(I'm repeating this second hand as he spoke with HWMO). He was keen to say that there will continue to be visitor berths - I think he said about 20. Club visits are welcome by arrangement and if there is availability. I don't think he is aware that there seems to be a communication problem. Email does seems a bit hit-or-miss, but whenever I've gone to the office or spoken with him in person they've all been reasonable, helpful and personable. Perhaps he will be prompted to register on here and clear up any misrep!

 

[Leighb]

That is more encouraging, we were seriously disappointed to hear that St Kat's was no longer available for visits. We may consider going up there again this summer, if we get one?

 

[Richard Shead]

I think I may have mentioned on the other thread, I made their PR agency aware of this thread.

 

[Leighb]

I think I may have mentioned on the other thread, I made their PR agency aware of this thread.

I was not aware of another thread on this topic, but thanks for letting them know of the general disquiet.

 

[phatcat1]

St Kats have a PR agency?

Hmmmm.... money well spent? NOT!