The Plough at Long Whittenham

[saltlife]

Can anybody tell me if the back water up to the Plough at Long Whittenham is a navgational channel.
It shows on the Thames chart as being part of the navigational Thames.
We draw 3foot 3 inches without the drinks cupboard fully stocked.
The poor girl not only had to push through the silt to get to the pub but when we went to cast off she came to a complete standstill and refused to go backwards or forwards ( Bless skeg keels ).
Had to get the tender out and shove her nose round. Took ages to free her up.
Want to complian to E.A. but want to get the facts right first.

 

[boatone]

The EA Customer Charter says:

3.6 We will maintain a fairway, normally at least the middle third of the river, between each lock. Please refer to the table opposite for dimensions of boats that can navigate safely.

This would not include the backwater you refer to.

 

[miket]

Not navigation channel.

I did serious damage to the undercarriage of my Nimbus 345 (draft 3ft 6inch) just short of the The Plough, a few years ago. I phoned the Landlord who encourages boats, but he had already complained to EA who gave him the same answer I received, which was not their job to maintain the backwaters.
I have never returned.

 

[apollo]

My father also bent the P bracket on his boat there few years back. Be very careful.

 

[Portland Billy]

Water Depth

I've 'pushed the mud' several times on that stretch - even in the supposed navigable section. I draw about a metre, including full booze locker.

 

[thames cruiser]

EEK! I went in there last summer. Had a lovely meal with guests we had picked up from Shillingford (that's anothr story!). Noticed it was shallow and lifted the leg, but don't think I'll be going back again after seeing these comments. I think I was lucky!

 

[Chris_d]

This is my home reach so I've been up there many times not to the pub much recently often just go past it and up almost to the weir and turnaround, I have twin legs and draw at least a metre and not had any specific problems. A few years ago a car was removed from the section up to the first sharp bend which I think is what a few people hit.

 

[miket]

50 yards short

We hit just short of the pub, immediately before the last corner.
Not been up since.
The pub is not THAT good.

 

[apollo]

We hit just short of the pub, immediately before the last corner.
Not been up since.
The pub is not THAT good.

Ditto.

 

[Chris_d]

We hit just short of the pub, immediately before the last corner.
Not been up since.
The pub is not THAT good.

Yup I used to hit something exactly there as well, was told it was a car but a strange spot for it to be. Plough is definitely now not so popular and less boats generaly so I guess it is silting up a lot as well.