Tidal Thames and My little Freeman.... ummm?

The ATYC Rally this year is at West India Dock over the August Bank Holiday... that may be a more realistic time-scale for you to get to know your boat (and the Bray Massive) before tackling the trip.
 
boatone said:
In an earlier post I think you said you have owned the Freeman for a couple of years. How far up and downstream have you ventured during that time?
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Purchased her 18 months ago but had 3 lots of knee surgery last year and so used her very infrequently... we have been from the other side of Shepperton up to as far as Bray Lock. One of the reasons we have moved to Bray Marina is because I want to take her further upstream and so starting off further makes more sense to me. London is the major dream, but as Hurley was where we went as kids when we escaped the London bustle, it has also been right up there too when I bought her. Met some people who live near Stanford Lock last week so a trip there too is now on the cards.
 
That's sad to hear but I can personally sympathise with the restrictions imposed by knee problems!

My two-pennyworth - The Freeman will do no more than 6 knots or so through the water so any trip down the tideway needs to be very much governed by tide times. Don't even think about trying to buck the tide except at the very edge of high or low water. I took my little Hardy 27 (which can only manage about 7 knots through the water) down to the Medway last year and with proper planning (and a very competent crew) it went like a dream. I do have twin engines which makes me feel good but I also invested in a life-raft (£350 off the forum) so had a very confidence inspiring plan B as well.
The boat is certainly up to the challenges of a trip down to London but you and yours will need to feel safe and confident which means lots of experience of handling the boat before you poke your nose out of Teddington. A long weekend down to Teddington and perhaps a little foray through the lock and down as far as Richmond at the right stage of tide could be an encouraging first step.
Joining the club and taking advantage of the various training on offer will certainly help and a company cruise is certainly the best way to start venturing further afield. You could also take a trip on one of the trip boats from Hampton Court down to London so that you can familiarise yourself with the route downriver.
 
I used my old Freeman 22 on the tidal Medway and had no major issues with her. The are quite seaworthy for a small boat. As mentioned by others, it needs some planning around tides as the max continous speed they will do is 5 to 6 knots but this is ample if you time everything right.

Mine had an elderly 105e engine and it used to start getting a bit hot after a while running at near full throttle so make sure your cooling systems are up to scratch. A new raw water pump probably would have solved it as mine was worn. Also make sure you carry sufficient fuel as they will get through fuel much faster at this speed than plodding along non-tidal waters.

The old girl never let me down though and I miss the little old thing. Brilliant boats.

Regards
Alex
 
As others have said a Freeman 22 will do the trip easy, I have seen quite a few in moored in coastal harbours there are even a few twin engined versions out there.

Biggest issue with the Tidal section is getting your timing right so if you can go in company the first time all the better, someone else can do the worrying:)
 
Afternoon all, we went through all this thread and now it looks like we may end up with a Birchwood 25 with a 45hp 1.8l mermaid diesel engine... if taken in company (ie the local cruising club) should this be capable of St Kats if we go with the tides? and out of interest, if the cruising clubs in our local area go to St Kats do they go with the tide or punch against it? which would render the trip not for us? :-)
 
You will be ok for St.Kats / Limehouse. Bray tend to use Chiswick Pier or Imperial Wharf so that it is not necessary to punch the tide.
 
That is soooooo exciting! boyhood dream of going up past the houses of parliament and I first visited St Kats as a teenager and always wanted to take my own boat back there one day... its getting closer!

I DO LOVE THIS BOATING LARK :-)
 
Firstly, you need to get your boat prepared!

B25 will need two main things in good nick other than engine (Oil, fanbelt, impeller) and gearbox (Oil level and brake bands) thats the prop log (Rubber tube through hull) and the rubber exhaust pipe should be very secure and serviceable (Or the raw water from the engine at high revs will fill the hull up!)

VHF is handy, and lifejackets essential. Fill her up at Penton, and you'll be good to go.

We have no more club trips planned apart from the ATYC rally at W.India dock, but other members might be happy to accompany you if they're going down there...

Best join first :rolleyes: :p
 
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