Trailer into Thames

[Guest]

I have a 6.5m rib on a trailer. I live in a flat in central London (no parking!). I keep the boat on the South Coast, I thought it would be fun to bring her up to London for a trip on the Thames. Does anybody know where I could launch her, and park trailer for 2/3 days?? Also can anybody recommend a cruising guide for the lower Thames?

 

[Guest]

Putney? WC2

You can launch at the embankment putney. Not sure about parking, suggest you call Chas Newens marine (spelling) and ask them. Avoid low tide and dont back the car onto the shingle at the bottom of the concrete slip, it's a bit softer than it looks. Did it with a Renault 12 (don't laugh MattS, it was a long time ago and anyway it was the twin Webber version!) and if someone hadn't helped it wd still be there now.

There's a speed limit upriver of - I think - about Hammersmith bridge, down river you can do 100mph. Big problem is lots of floating debris, you know telegraph poles and so on. You have to be really careful. Also check pilot book for protocols going thru Thames barrier.

If it was a weekend I can give you a free car park space (underground, secure) in WC2 Aldwych but there's nowhere really close by to launch, AFAIK.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Have a look at Tideway www.thames-tideway.org for information about boating on the tidal Thames.

There are various slipways available, but most of them are only accessible around HW. Parking is almost always going to be a problem!

BIBOA is organising a run from Putney to Calais on July 14/15 and we are negotiating with a local school to park in their playground for the weekend. Email cruising@biboa.org.uk if you would like more information.

If you want to spend a few days on the water, you will also need somewhere to moor overnight (unless you plan to drag the boat out at the end of each day). I can recommend Chiswick Pier to the West (all tides access) or you could go to St Katherine's, Limehouse or Sotuh Dock Marina in central London. Limehouse has access at all tides except low springs, the others give you about 2 hours either side of HW.

South Dock watersports centre has a slipway into the dock, which gives access to the marina and then via a lock to the river. It's not very convenient, but they do have secure parking there. Probably not worth it just for a quick blast, but if you want to spend a few days on the river it could be worth looking at. There are contact details for all these places on Tideway.

There is a speed limit of 8 knots above Wandsworth Bridge, below that there is no limit but make sure that you don't cause excessive wash (hard to do in a RIB compared with the trip boats, but you should still be aware of it). The PLA are fairly hot on colregs generally, and are likely to object if you go screaming down the wrong side of the river for instance!

Watch out for the temporary control at Hungerford Bridge, which requires a call to "Charing Cross control" on VHF ch8 for clearance to pass. The normal working channel for the Tideway is 14.

It's not the easiest place in the world to go boating, but it is well worth it. have fun!

John
--
John Kennett
RIBnet -- the essential internet site for users of rigid inflatable boats
http://www.rib.net

 

[Guest]

There is a place in Twickenham/Richmond I think. Its a place where there is a rowing club, I've seen ribs launched there as well though. I've got a feeling that theres a car park as well. If not try the Chiswick area.