Tidal Thames creeks

Faversham is a jewel in Kent , far more interesting than the more popular money pots of Whistable, Rye or Tenterden, still proper working town, not a preserved fossil. B1 visited a while ago and took some very good photos. Basically a town on the road to nowhere and ignored by the purveyors of reinforced concrete. More pubs than you can shake stick at and loverly muddy old drying creek.
 
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what an interesting journey and blog, well done.

Still cannot believe I never noticed you guys circling on our front door! Live in Ingress Park, cannot believe I missed it!

Oldgit - Faversham certainly looks interesting, never really gave it a thought as a destination, but why not? Nice little town.
 
Thanks - we'll try and make more noise next time, or let off some flares. Another local called Bob Whalley took the photo. The manoeuvre was in our passage plan (codename RACETRACK), although I wasn't expecting to use it quite there. It's much easier to keep control and stay in formation if you keep moving through the water...

One or two boats thought about tieing up to a buoy, but I wasn't having any of that.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/73933281285/permalink/10155255419686286/
 
RobBradley said:
Oldgit - Faversham certainly looks interesting, never really gave it a thought as a destination, but why not? Nice little town.
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Once very wealthy town indeed due to its status as a cinque port and hence control over wool exports. Well off enough to send its own locally financed (probably not willingly) ship to bolster the Kings navy, during the time of the Armarda. Thousands of vessels built on the banks of the creek over hundreds of years. It was local custom to launch ships sideways due to size of ships and narrowness of creek.. Well known sail maker at head of creek. Do need you wits about you to go in by larger boat. Thames barges seem to have no trouble at all . Good guide to anywhere can be discovered in the number of estate agents opening up shops and the sort of twee tat being sold in the weekly flea market.. Smelly candles on bits of driftwood anyone :) Def worth visit and for the tightwads there is a Weatherspoons and yes it does have its 08.00 selection of customers having strong lagar with their egg and bacon :)
 
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We moored nb Ernest against the wharf/little park just below the bridge at Faversham, we must of dried out overnight but we didn't notice after sampling the local brew.
 
ianc1200 said:
We moored nb Ernest against the wharf/little park just below the bridge at Faversham, we must of dried out overnight but we didn't notice after sampling the local brew.
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Its a neat little spot next to the old bonded warehouse.Was a freshwater tap hidden away at base of wall . We did end up at few odd angles. Tried turning round and made it worse. Big downside....no way of booking/reserving a mooring. Its a long way back out, if the place is occupied by semi permanent livaboards.
 
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Actionmat said:
I read that 15 posts ago
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Well hurrah for you. I just answer a very few of them as I come across them. Happily, I don't have time to read these boards every day so, if I appear tardy, that's the reason.
While we're on the subject, I'm surprised that you couldn't work it out for yourself.
 
I still think that over 7mph is impressive for a canal boat. They must be those aerodynamic models without logs, coal, painted pots and pans and a racing crew of one bearded lightweight pensioner
 
Actionmat said:
I still think that over 7mph is impressive for a canal boat. They must be those aerodynamic models without logs, coal, painted pots and pans and a racing crew of one bearded lightweight pensioner
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Over the ground it's not too fast. But some NBs with big props can manage this sort of speed through open water.

The boat concerned also had a snorkel. You can just see it in this photo (exhaust extension). I want one of those!

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/T01_Imag/MedCBN/Med287.jpg
 
Actionmat said:
What's the advantage of an exhaust snorkel?
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The boat does not fill with water everytime waterfowl landing nearly, cause a ripple . Basically the plan is to keep every possible orifice as far out of the water as possible.
 
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I'm still confused as to how water can enter the boat via the exhaust.(unless it's a totally different set up on a NB compared to a cruiser) My old boat had elbows turning the pipe into the water and my new Broom has her exhausts partially submerged.

They're a couple of great pics pics. The NB looks very stable despite the wash.
Where is the 'calm as a millpond' picture location? Lovely shot.
 
The risk of sinking an old generation NB on the tideway was high. Many Springers had the noisy but reliable Lister air cooled diesels. These had air intakes in the hull, only a few inches above the waterline. Wash, like that shown in the previous post would soon fill the boat. Many were lost this way.

The Willow Wren 45 footer that I crewed on in the seventies had an air cooled Lister, and safely navigated the tideway. When it was built the cooling air intake was high up the cabin side and used canvas ducting to get the air where it was needed
 
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