Suggestions for a trip please!

thejonesey

thejonesey

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Morning! We now have a boat (Sealine F43 .... yes I know its big but we are going to be doing coastal trips in the summer) and are based at Windsor Marina. I have three days off to go exploring with the family (kids 4 and 6) and was wondering what people would recommend for a first trip out on the Thames!

By the way, I am experienced and can get under Cookham bridge under normal flow. Looking forward to seeing you on the water.
 
Windsor to Henley is arguably the best bit of the whole Thames certainly for things to do and places to visit, can be done in a day easily but no need to rush.
 
Head upriver.
Depends then how much you want to cruise each day but for a first trip suggest you don't try and push on too hard.

Day 1 - Marlow - moor on Higginson Park. Close to shops and restaurants. Playground for the kids etc.
Day 2 Carry on up to Henley - can easily get there by lunch time. Moor on park near River & Rowing Museum. Museum is very kid friendly. Again close to town centre and playground in park.
Day 3 - straight run back to WIndsor.
 
Agreed, best bet is upriver, don't need to get as far as Henley if you don't want to, there's plenty to see and plenty to save for another time.

Just take it easy, in general we all do that bit too much on our first outing, I know I did and nearly put SWMBO off for life!
 
If you have young kids try the Park at Maidenhead for breakfast, full english or bacon sarnies, moor on the wall below Boulters there is crazy golf and kids playground. Next could try the Bounty at Bourne End moor outside for free and kids playground, food is **** but a unique atmosphere as its only accessable by boat or on foot. Marlow Park is very kid friendly as well but choose your spot to moor carefully as there are some shallow bits.
 
I would definitely recommend up river as well. I have no idea about child friendly places!! However I spotted your had a dog last weekend so there would be some good places for him/her on the recomendations below as well.

Henley is completely different from the water!

Passed your boat yesterday which was looking very nice as I had to get back to the marina as I had forgotten to turn of the boat batteries when I left on Sunday, doh!
 
Up River definitely if for no other reason than you won't be able to get beyond Hambledon Lock between 1st. November and 12th. January next.

Sudden thought - what's the status of Henley bridge? I'm assuming the centre arch is still closed, so can you get under the town side arch?


If not then Steve will welcome you with open arms.......
 
Wait for Fireworks Night, then go down to Sheerness and throw stones at the Richard Montgomery?
 
There are a number of your model of boat at Windsor marina, I know a couple of them can have difficulties getting under the bridges if the water is high. One of them uses quite a bit of extra speed to get the back of the boat to drop so the flybridge will be lower.

PM me and I'll introduce you if you're interested. :)
 
Not much of a trip but a good weekend.

We have just spent three days on board. The boat is everything I could have hoped for and everyone at Windsor Marina have been very welcoming and kind. Unfortunately the combination of wind, new boat and tight berth meant two aborted attempts to get out. I will wait for calmer conditions then practice.
So, instead, I turned my attention to cleaning, caught my watch and saw it go sailing into the drink! Next weekend I shall return with net and hope!
Finally, I clonked the bow - anyone know a good grp repairer? It's only a small gelcoat hole the size of a fifty pence piece and I may fill it myself. I was gutted but then the our new friends rallied round and made us feel a lot better.

So an eventful weekend but typically boating! The important things were there- friendship, generosity, great family time and a beautiful new toy to share. Will try to post some pics when we eventually leave the Marina! Oh yes, did I say that the dog fell in too!
 
thejonesey said:
We have just spent three days on board. The boat is everything I could have hoped for and everyone at Windsor Marina have been very welcoming and kind. Unfortunately the combination of wind, new boat and tight berth meant two aborted attempts to get out. I will wait for calmer conditions then practice.
So, instead, I turned my attention to cleaning, caught my watch and saw it go sailing into the drink! Next weekend I shall return with net and hope!
Finally, I clonked the bow - anyone know a good grp repairer? It's only a small gelcoat hole the size of a fifty pence piece and I may fill it myself. I was gutted but then the our new friends rallied round and made us feel a lot better.

So an eventful weekend but typically boating! The important things were there- friendship, generosity, great family time and a beautiful new toy to share. Will try to post some pics when we eventually leave the Marina! Oh yes, did I say that the dog fell in too!
Click to expand...

Find a local sailing school and invest a couple of hundred quid in a day of one-to-one own-boat-tuition. We did that when we bought our first relatively large boat and it was the best money we've ever spent. Concentrate on close-quarters work - the rest will come pretty easily with practice, but being able to slip in and out of tight spots is the most painful thing to learn by trial and error. Elite Sailing at Chatham dod a great job for us - I know that they are quite a long way from Windsor, but I think they would probably find you a tutor for the day if you paid the travelling expenses.
 
Windsor is particularly challenging when it's windy. Don't worry though, you can't do anything that any number of us haven't done already - sometimes more than once!
 
I have already sorted a repair and the previous owner who is based at the Marina has offered to help as she is in his old berth. Practice, practice, practice I think! If that doesn't work then I will get some tuition!

Just got to fish the watch out now!
 
thejonesey said:
We have just spent three days on board. The boat is everything I could have hoped for and everyone at Windsor Marina have been very welcoming and kind. Unfortunately the combination of wind, new boat and tight berth meant two aborted attempts to get out. I will wait for calmer conditions then practice.
So, instead, I turned my attention to cleaning, caught my watch and saw it go sailing into the drink! Next weekend I shall return with net and hope!
Finally, I clonked the bow - anyone know a good grp repairer? It's only a small gelcoat hole the size of a fifty pence piece and I may fill it myself. I was gutted but then the our new friends rallied round and made us feel a lot better.

So an eventful weekend but typically boating! The important things were there- friendship, generosity, great family time and a beautiful new toy to share. Will try to post some pics when we eventually leave the Marina! Oh yes, did I say that the dog fell in too!
Click to expand...


Hi Jonesy....take comfort that you're not the only one suffering :D My wife and I went up to Whitchurch yesterday and I couldnt believe how hard it was in that wind.....especialy pulling in before the locks.

As for your watch: been there done that (take a peek at the thread Extremely Expensive Day Out)...its sickening isnt it as you watch it sink gently to the bottom!

Ah well......all part of the experience I guess :D
 
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