tidal thames in a 14ft launch

Outinthedinghy

Outinthedinghy

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I have navigated Teddington to Limehouse a few times in narrow boats and my barge but now I want to do it in a small launch. Its a 14ft seagoing grp cuddy cabin day boat with a canoe stern and an outboard in a well. It will be pushed by a 4.5hp outboard with a 2hp carried aboard as a spare. Max speed about 5 or 6 knots. VHF and lifejacket will be worn of course .

I know the River through the pool is rough - very rough on my 58x12ft barge when there was wind over tide by HMS Belfast - but is it actually doable in a 14 footer?
I think canoes do it so it must be I suppose - has anyone on here done it in something that small?

Am tempted to time it to come out of Teddington at 4am to avoid some commercial traffic and try for a windless day...


Any advice or experience welcomed
Ta
 
As you regard your launch as seagoing, you should be fine. A calm day will certainly make it a lot more pleasant.
I've done Teddington to the Barrier and back a good few times in a 14ft cabin launch, albeit with a 15hp engine, but I don't think that's an issue.

Timing of course needs to be all about the tide. As you've done the trip to Limehouse in NB's you'll know the usual approach is to leave Teddington before HW so as to reach Limehouse around half ebb, but in fair weather and a slowish boat I'd be tempted to leave later, dawdle down knowing you'll miss the lock, and plan to either hang about near Limehouse, or cruise down a bit further just for fun, and come back up to be there at the start of the next locking window.

The spare engine is good call. A good big anchor is of course a must.

Enjoy
 
Good tip about leaving later, running further down then back up. Thanks for that as it also tends to be less rough at lower tide levels as the bank consist of more foreshore and less walls which reflect all the wash from commercial traffic.

Anchor, warp and chain will be carried yes.

I was wondering about ways to make a small boat more visible to large craft, other than regular use of the VHF ?

I mean Clippers and City Cruises types not shipping.
 
I suppose wearing a high vis jacket might be a simple and worthwhile step. But in good daylight visibility, I have never felt too concerned.

There are actually quite a few small boats of one kind or another bimbling about in the tideway most days, and very, very few accidents. My view is that if you are mindful of the commercials, and navigate using common sense to maximise your own safety bearing in mind your vulnerability and potential "invisibility", you should be safe enough.
 
Thanks

On a similar note - if I were to go downstream to say Gravesend would I be allowed to beach the boat (a 14ft launch) and go home by train then reappear when the tide is approaching the relevant height? Visited Bawley bay yesterday with the wife and kids (by motorcar) and noticed that there are stairs there, and a rail to tie a small boat to. Also noted that it is £20 to moor on the wall (fully tidal) as a visitor.

So what's the deal with the foreshore? I wouldn't want to pay £20 to leave a small boat on a load of shopping trolleys...
 
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one tip---have the anchor ready for instant use---i went from richmond to the dome---caught 3 fertiliser type heavy plastic bags ----first one by houses of parliament --as i lifted the outboard to clear the prop an rnli rib appeared from nowhere and a lady pulled if off for me---the mps were enjoying the sunshine on riverside terrace and i think i was in the exclusion zone---often wondered whether this was exclusively an rnli rib or was it some sort of security boat----second bag caught just before tower bridge when a passenger cat was keeping station behind me when i suddenly slowed and managed to limp out of its path---third bag was just above the police boat pier below tower bridge---the pier is built on piles and we were going to get stuck in or underneath them on a very fast current----the anchor was ready and gone in seconds whilst i lifted the outboard to clear----i was amazed how much rubbish was in this part of the river---hit numerous sainsbury type plastic bags --- change of engine noise for a couple of seconds and plastic fragments fragments in the wake---on the plus side collected 3 lifebelts and an enormous polyform bouy---forgot to say 13 foot boat with 15 hp outboard----enjoy the trip---lenten
 
Yes i will keep the anchor handy for instant deployment.
That's an impressive amount of rubbish - I have done the trip half a dozen times both ways on my barge and never had a prop foul at all but then a 90hp inboard doesn't really mind unless I pick up a ballast sack or something.
A 4.5hp outboard is definitely a different story.. thanks
 
Can you not think of anything better to do with such a vessel!?

Why would you want to punt it up and down the tideway, when the Upper Thames has so many beautiful places you could visit, moor for free, take the family to etc etc!?

I'm not dissing your idea, but it's akin to buying a 50mph Microcar and taking it to various Service Stations around the M25..... :disgust:
 
I have to be honest , I couldn't think of anything worse.

But then I've been in a sniper 10 in Bristol Dock with a Formula Thunderbird doing 50 knot laps round the outside. Terrifying, I had to lay on the floor of the boat until it went away.
 
Its ok. I do know the non tidal Thames and all of the tributaries like the back of my hand having been up and down the River every year for for 25 years in a variety of different boats from kayak to barge and yes I agree it is superb :)

However I am not familiar with the tidal section and for personal reasons I do wish to explore the lower reaches. In a small boat.

I know its going to bounce about and be like the M1 on a Honda C90..

All good advice :)
 
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Why not jump on one of the London boats ( Connaught et al ) for a recce as they head downstream through my place back to Westminster ?

Nice cold beer while you scope out the points you may come unstuck ...
 
viewing london from the thames is a wonderful experience---doing in your boat is even better---below the houses of parliament the current seems stronger and with all the passenger boat traffic its a bit bumpy but not dangerously so---i did it a few years ago and am still smiling at the memories----regards lenten
 
teddington_lock said:
Why not jump on one of the London boats ( Connaught et al ) for a recce as they head downstream through my place back to Westminster ?

Nice cold beer while you scope out the points you may come unstuck ...
Click to expand...


Good suggestion but I did actually do the tidal run at 5.30am inward bound from Limehouse the other day in another of my boats.

As it happens i will be coming through Teddington later this morning, but not in the 14 footer.

Glad to hear other people have done it in small boats that's good to know..

PS I didn't realise Connaught picked up passengers at Teddington .
 
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