boatone
Well-Known Member
What is your view of the value you receive for your annual registration fee?
The Cost of Using The Thames
- Thread starter boatone
- Start date
Deefor
Well-Known Member
If I were to compare the EA/Thames with the Broads Authority (BA), I'd say the EA have a very long way to go on the river 
I pay around £200 for a 20' boat with the EA and if I were on the Broads, around £180. The "free" 24 hour moorings on the Broads are far, far superior to what's on the Thames. There's also more of them on the Broads. Ok, so there's no locks on the Broads and the EA have to raise money from somewhere to pay for the upkeep.
So, in terms of value for money, with the boating I do and my expectations, the EA could do a lot better.
I pay around £200 for a 20' boat with the EA and if I were on the Broads, around £180. The "free" 24 hour moorings on the Broads are far, far superior to what's on the Thames. There's also more of them on the Broads. Ok, so there's no locks on the Broads and the EA have to raise money from somewhere to pay for the upkeep.
So, in terms of value for money, with the boating I do and my expectations, the EA could do a lot better.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
If I were to compare the EA/Thames with the Broads Authority (BA), I'd say the EA have a very long way to go on the river
I pay around £200 for a 20' boat with the EA and if I were on the Broads, around £180. The "free" 24 hour moorings on the Broads are far, far superior to what's on the Thames. There's also more of them on the Broads. Ok, so there's no locks on the Broads and the EA have to raise money from somewhere to pay for the upkeep.
So, in terms of value for money, with the boating I do and my expectations, the EA could do a lot better.
You get a lot more on the Thames though, there are no locks an lock keepers on the Broads, no weirs, refuse and sanitary disposal etc... Makes the Broads look a bit expensive actually
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Lets have a think:
Approximately 55 days this year (rest of year included) for £400 licence fee.
That rounds off to £7.50 per daily use.
I get a maintained water level including adequate dredging for my reasonably sized vessel (Where possible) manned locks within reasonable hours, Water refills included, loads of free mooring, somebody to complain to when people are doing bad things, and the trees lopped down for starters.
One needs to ask oneself a simple question. Would you pay £1 per lock?
Sounds OK to me.
Total boat runnings costs equate to £72 a day, including fuel. Still happy...
Approximately 55 days this year (rest of year included) for £400 licence fee.
That rounds off to £7.50 per daily use.
I get a maintained water level including adequate dredging for my reasonably sized vessel (Where possible) manned locks within reasonable hours, Water refills included, loads of free mooring, somebody to complain to when people are doing bad things, and the trees lopped down for starters.
One needs to ask oneself a simple question. Would you pay £1 per lock?
Sounds OK to me.
Total boat runnings costs equate to £72 a day, including fuel. Still happy...
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
You get a lot more on the Thames though, there are no locks an lock keepers on the Broads, no weirs, refuse and sanitary disposal etc... Makes the Broads look a bit expensive actually
'a bit expensive'
Looks jolly poor value! No comparison, not even close
Relax.A
Well-Known Member
Without taking into account the licence pays for maintaining the river 365 days a year
I managed 4 week's away on my boat this year and my licence is about 800 so 200 a week
To use my own boat seems steep. But taking into account my money is not just paying for me to get through a lock its not to bad . Just please don't put it up anymore.
I managed 4 week's away on my boat this year and my licence is about 800 so 200 a week
To use my own boat seems steep. But taking into account my money is not just paying for me to get through a lock its not to bad . Just please don't put it up anymore.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Up to now I thought it represented excellent value - well it did sone 12 years ago when our boat was launched.
So I looked at the current licence prices:-
My boat costs £670 for 100 miles of cruising
On the ditchy bits it would cost £885 for 2000 miles of cruising.
We tend to cruise longer distances than most per outing, so on that basis the Thames does not represent outstanding value - in pure economic terms.
So I looked at the current licence prices:-
My boat costs £670 for 100 miles of cruising
On the ditchy bits it would cost £885 for 2000 miles of cruising.
We tend to cruise longer distances than most per outing, so on that basis the Thames does not represent outstanding value - in pure economic terms.
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
We did at least three trips of 100 miles this year!
You need a smaller boat
You need a smaller boat
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
We did at least three trips of 100 miles this year!
You need a smaller boat
My bad wording - meant 100 miles cruising range
Think we've done 250 - 300 miles of boating.
Couldn't possibly exist with a smaller boat!
Wavey
Well-Known Member
I don't really have a problem with what I pay for the boat I chose to own and keep on the Thames. OK there's always a "How much!" moment when the renewal envelope gets opened which is normally repeated when I write the cheque out. I am however conscious of the funding issues and that inevitably from a boat owners perspective it probably doesn't represent the value for money it once did as TrueBlue rightly pointed out. But, as central government contributions diminish someone has to pay, and there's no prize for guessing who was top of the list.
Our current boat gets used a lot so that tends to soften the blow, unlike a few years ago when it worked out the licence fee for our previous boat had cost us about £100 a lock.
We're very fortunate the fee for us is affordable. A good mate of mine with a 60ft NB who's self employed and struggling for work would give you a very different point of view.
Our current boat gets used a lot so that tends to soften the blow, unlike a few years ago when it worked out the licence fee for our previous boat had cost us about £100 a lock.
We're very fortunate the fee for us is affordable. A good mate of mine with a 60ft NB who's self employed and struggling for work would give you a very different point of view.
TopDonkey
Well-Known Member
I've kept a boat on the Thames for the last 15 years on and off (more on than off though) up until last year when I decided that rules and regulations and the cost of the license and the marinas was getting too much and I made the decision to move to the sea, I moved to Portsmouth harbour and have never regretted it for a single day, so much more to see and do, places to explore, I get maintained markers, buoys, dredged channels and so much more and there is no license fee for any of it.
Best move I ever made.
Best move I ever made.
joejo
Well-Known Member
I expect many of us would rather pay less, but on reflection I would not wish to pay less and have a reduced level of service and facilities.
We have had good use of the boat this season [for us], approx 160 engine hours so far and travelled the non tidal river between Teddington and Iffley locks.
This year during published lock hours, attended service has been excellent and I have only worked the odd lock myself.
That coupled with the general condition of the River, being in my opinion on Britains Premier River, the facilities available if you want them, represents good value
We have had good use of the boat this season [for us], approx 160 engine hours so far and travelled the non tidal river between Teddington and Iffley locks.
This year during published lock hours, attended service has been excellent and I have only worked the odd lock myself.
That coupled with the general condition of the River, being in my opinion on Britains Premier River, the facilities available if you want them, represents good value
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Just a suggestion
What might be interesting is a poll listing the amounts boaters would be prepared to pay for using the Thames.Starting at perhaps £200 and finishing up at £1000 +.
Is there also any reason that the licence could not be collected a la road tax with a discount for buying a 12 month ticket but with the ability to purchase a 6 month ticket at a slightly higher rate.
This would mean if you only boated in the summer months and went on the hard over winter you could save money.
What might be interesting is a poll listing the amounts boaters would be prepared to pay for using the Thames.Starting at perhaps £200 and finishing up at £1000 +.
Is there also any reason that the licence could not be collected a la road tax with a discount for buying a 12 month ticket but with the ability to purchase a 6 month ticket at a slightly higher rate.
This would mean if you only boated in the summer months and went on the hard over winter you could save money.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
I think most boaters would go for this so the EA's income would be halved, so a bit unlikely I'm afraid.
CJL
Well-Known Member
Its not really fair to compare how many times you used your boat against the fee!
CJL
CJL
bumperdump
N/A
worth every penny for what you get.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
ah, but, yes - what would be a valid comparison?
Otherwise it's purely subjective and on that basis there's as many viepoints as there are boats.
CJL
Well-Known Member
Surely the quality of what you experience WHEN you do use it would be a better comparison?
How many times you use it is largely down to you and your availability.
I do realise that sometimes the weather conspires causing flooding and yellow/red boards but this is beyond the control of even the EA!!
Obviously times when the infrastructure fails should be taken into account but how many times a year does this directly effect us?
CJL
oldgit
Well-Known Member
While an infrequent visitor,must say that boating on Thames has always so far,been an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Every year for six months - or so it seems!!!
We like to do some winter cruising - which we did when we first came on to the River. In the past four years (possibly more; can't remember) we've been locked in with either no or very limited cruising range!
(YES,YES, I do realise that maintenance has to be done and it's unreasonable to expect EA to do the work under the worst winter conditions - last year's Benson gate replacement was a case in point; the "gallant lads" had to work in very unpleasant conditions and should be applauded.
Very few folks venture out in the winter as most of "your" boats are unsuited to wintry weather (that should get some comments), so it doesn't really, really affect many.
