Visit to Thames including tidal

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ifomin

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We would like to spend a couple of weeks on the Thames this season and I would particularly like to have a trip throught the Pool of London. Had a look at Imray C2 (River Thames) and wondered whether there were suitable visitor moorings on the tidal between say Richmond and St Katharines. Are places such as Chiswick Pier realistic for a non-drying craft? Any marinas worth trying/avoiding? We have 30' Marex (GRP), 3' draught. Thanks.
 
Chiswick Pier is OK, you need to book it. Not very picturesque when the tide is out. There is shore power there. I think thats about it for tidal visitor moorings. St kats is popular, expect long wait bouncing around outside waiting to get in. South Dock is always very fast locking, quiet & less exciting inside but a very short tube hop from tourist London. Its council run but clean and decent, staff are friendly and attend 24 hours. Chelsea is pretty decent, need slack water to enter easily.
Some people like Limehouse. Cant think of anywhere actually on the river except Chiswick.
 
I'd go for South Dock - quiet area and easy waiting pontoon. Its not picturesque, and the walk to the tube/bus is best done in the daylight ..... and that's from someone who has lived in Hackney for 20 years. But the marina and the boaters are friendly and its reasonably priced. Toilets/showers are OK. Fuel from Burgan up by St Katherine.

Only other option not mentioned is Gallions Point - cheapest of the lot, out by the Barrier and close to the DLR station. Real problem is opening times as they are only open 9 ish to 1830 ish. Tidal access is good though - roughly 5 hrs either side of HT (South Dock only around 2.5 hrs before and 1.5 hrs after). Phone if you want to contact - they don't answer VHF.

All of the mooring options have websites - recommend the PLA site, particularly the leisure section if you're coming this way. I live/moor here so if you want anything else please get in touch.
 
Just for the record if it's your 1st trip

Make sure you've got your tides properly planned - the river can run at up to 4 knots and demands respect
Monitor Ch14 there's a lot of good information
Watch for debris in the river - there are some large lumps of wood floating down
Do NOT expect the tourist boats to follow colregs are even care about the effects of their wake - which can be lethal, particularly when close quarter manoeuvering. It simpler just to keep out of their way when under way and keep an eye out when you are trying to get into the locks.

Watch out for isophase lights on the bridges. If they are lit there's a commercial vessel that has absolute right of way and they get V annoyed and will report you to PLA if you go through that arch.

However, it's a fantastic experience to see London from your own boat!

BTW I'd always vote for St Kats. - It's just the greatest place to stay with everything you want within walking distance
 
For my part I'd advise against Gallions at all costs. Quite the worst marina I've ever used. Filthy 'facilities', hopeless staff, nothing good about it at all, I'm sorry to say... Last visit was about two years ago, but nothing would persuade me to try it again!!!
 
Can I just add keep a good look out astern,stuff has a habit of closing very fast,be it a blimming great RORO down at Dartford or the fast trip boats from Greenwich up.
Nail down anything loose it can/will be bumpy.
Ps Keep an eye out for the Greenwich ferries as well as you go past.
A wonderful experience........
 
Think white van drivers on the M25, on some sort of drugs, and that's what the passenger boats are like. Completely out of control and no idea of seamanship.

I always try to leave Teddington just before light in late April and get past Greenwich by about 9:30 and thus miss them. Coming back early October tend to take one tide from the Spitway buoys (we through the water at about 6.5Kts) and just get to Teddington before dark, but that always means the mid afternoon mayhem hrough town.

I'm just glad I don't have to do it for the next few years, decided to keep SA on the upper Thames and have a small sailboat on the Blackwater, it was certainly a consideration to avoid the passage through town. Having said that, I used to love going tidal at first, on the Thames, in somebody else's boat.

regards

IanC
 
I stayed at St Katherines 2 yars ago, good facilities,showers and drying room and cheap price £21.00. The only problem is the wake from the trip boats whilst you are waiting for the lock to open, would suggest an early morning lock entrance, not 7pm on a Sunday in July like I did, I had to go to Greenwich for a few hours and return when it was near lock openning time, but we where still thrown about by the trip boats returning after their days work.

Let me know when you are going and we may come along
 
You, Byron, Princess G (haven't seen Ken & Helen (?) for some time) and the rest made us feel very welcome, & I enjoyed the Ditch events (my kids love playing with the various dogs, Oi! and Teddy etc). Howver my wife isn't a great joiner in, and she's agreed to stay on the Thames as long as she doesn't have to go to the Trad Rally or other similar events. Sad but she likes quiet boating on our own. I may be able to ralk her round though.

Did I see you are based in Holland now?

regards

IanC
 
Ken & Helen have moved to Porridge & Kiltland but they still have the boat (unused & unloved). The Ditch still have good easy going events ranging from grub in restauarants & hotels through to feasts put on in the Marquee.
 
Thanks Byron. I think I know what you mean. Pity about the boat as a Profile 33 is not a bad boat at all, several of them on the East Coast, capable of much worse weather than we could go out in.

IanC
 
I test drove the 1st Profile when it was launched at Bursledon Bridge waaay back in the 70s. My mate designed it (Dave Gannaway) he intended it as a Port Pilot Cutter so the 1st one was mainly open cockpit. However sales weren't there so he re-configured it as a cabin cruiser. Ken's was one of the originals which he fitted out himself
 
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