Well, that's that then

[Wavey]

Letters in the post today to MDL Penton Hook and the EA to say we're not renewing this year as the boat is going to the south coast. A bit of a change after 27 years on the Thames with my own boats and God knows how many years before that with my Dad's.

Certainly the Broom we bought towards the end of 2011 is far better suited to coastal work but the catalyst to look at moving was the EA registration that dropped on the mat asking for just shy of a thousand quid for the river licence. We all know only too well why the charges are what they are but it's still a huge chunk of money for limited usage and more recently the problem of mooring due to the significant increase in narrowboats. I had always thought the Solent area was ridiculously expensive (and yes, places like the Hamble are) but if you do the research you can get good marina moorings for not a lot more than the cost of Penton mooring fees and the river licence combined. And the facilities down there are so much better too.

Really looking forward to being able to let the Broom stretch her legs (we had great fun in 2012 on our down river trip), even if the fuel bill might mean SWMBO will have to get another job or three .

 

[Ramage]

Presumably no need for a BSS either (another cost).

 

[lynall]

We only moved from non tidal to tidal on the medway, marina cost was virtually the same, no 280 quid river licence and no bss reqd, all you need is a river conservancy licence 58 quid iirc, and lots of people dont bother with that.
Quite frankly the non tidal river was a great training ground, but very very boring.

 

[boatone]

Sad to see you go Jim but, particularly with your boat, a very understandable decision.

The fact that the EA will lose another grand a year is an unfortunate consequence and, with the current pressures on funding, will be a real loss of income for the river. I heard recently that Guildford Boat House on the Wey has ceased trading so that's quite a few Thames licence fees lost for next year as well.

 

[boatone]

Quite frankly the non tidal river was a great training ground, but very very boring.

Please wash your mouth out, Sir. For many of us the Thames, in spite of its problems, is a delight and certainly anything but boring.

 

[Wavey]

Ramage - Yes, quite correct. No BSS either. It all mounts up.

Lynall - Our original thought was to move the boat to MDL Chatham for the summer and winter back at Penton where it would be close to home for any out of season work. The MDL mooring arrangements for more than 30 days (likely double mooring fees) and the somewhat limited cruising area compared to the Solent meant it didn't really work for us.

Tony - You've been aboard so know she's a bit of a lump for the non-tidal Thames. Will remain a TMBA member as you never know we might be back sometime and only too pleased anyway to support your efforts.

 

[sailorman]

Dont forget zinc anodes :encouragement:

 

[Wavey]

Dont forget zinc anodes :encouragement:

Got an appointment with my GP for Thursday

Thanks for the reminder but already on the list. The increasingly long list.

Mind you, it's a boat - there's always a bloomin' list

 

[apollo]

Dont blame you, thinking that way too....

 

[lynall]

Please wash your mouth out, Sir. For many of us the Thames, in spite of its problems, is a delight and certainly anything but boring.

Sir eh? you can come back anytime!

 

[No Regrets]

...and those internal engine anodes too!!


Have a nice year!

 

[Wavey]

Engines and gennie on the list for servicing but internal anodes not specifically mentioned. Well they have been now

 

[sailorman]

Engines and gennie on the list for servicing but internal anodes not specifically mentioned. Well they have been now

Oh & stow those fenders old chap, bad form in that photo doncha know

 

[Wavey]

Oh & stow those fenders old chap, bad form in that photo doncha know

Not if you moor in our marina. It has been likened to a pin ball machine

SWMBO is well aware of fender etiquette and has promised faithfully to take up weight training so she can lift the blighters

 

[oldgit]

Can well understand the fancy for a change of scenery be it from river to coast or vice-versa.
Nice to be able to explore new places and regain a spirit of going on adventures new after being in one place for along time.
Just a couple of comments,on the Thames it will be be rare for someone to not to be able to go out after arriving at the boat,down there it will be not unheard of.
As for saving money on that licence,am going to guess that a tank of diesel will last you a long long time up on the jolly old Thames,down there in order to get to all these exotic new destinations,you aint going to get there and back in a day at 7KPH.
So its open them throttles and watch the gauges go down.Fill up twice and thats that licence money "saved" gone.
Chap from Bray took his boat round to the Solent a year or two ago the long wet way.It is now back on its old berth and it came back by lorry.
Hardly ever got to use it for one reason or another but mainly due to weather.
Sure you will have lots of fun and good luck,wave as you go past the Mudway.

 

[Wavey]

No two ways about it. Our fuel bill will be going through the roof. Mind you, of our three fill-ups per year, two were just for heating in the winter when we lived on it so at least that fuel will now be used to make the props go round

And it will be nice to get back on the salty stuff. I miss it, and work over recent years restricts time off in the summer to just two or three days at most so prohibits down river runs. This summer the boat will already be there ready to go. And I need to brush the cobwebs off too. It's 35 years since I took my coastal skipper and 10 years since I last did serious Solent cruising so it will be nice to get the old brain working again. Hopefully it's like riding a bike

Whether SWMBO takes to it may well be another matter. Down river runs in 2012 (when we did get a long summer break thanks to the Olympics) were in idyllic conditions. She is very used to the Thames. Deck work in the Solent will be very different (not to mention navigation too) and I certainly will have to take it very slowly and be very patient with what, for her, will be a bit of a steep learning curve. She's hugely enthusiastic at the moment and I have to make sure it stays that way!

Oh yes, and it's going down by road. Much cheaper (not to mention quicker and less hassle) than going the long way round when you're planning to move it at the end of March.

Edited to add SWMBOs first hurdle will be her DSC VHF licence

 

[thejonesey]

Good luck with the move to the Solent. We may well stay (probably at the top of the Hamble where it is cheaper) after taking the boat to the West Country next summer.

When we started using the Thames two seasons ago we wrongly thought that you could boat all year. Between flooding and lock closures I have been surprised how limited our trips have been and used the boat more in the winter months when based in Poole. That said, it is wonderful to go to the boat, go out for the day and not have to worry about stowing everything every time you want to move... The kudos have really appreciated that with their toys.

The other BIG difference we found between Thames and Coastal boating is that the Thames is so much friendlier! Everyone dawdles along, chatting at each lock, waving (except rowers) and there is a sense of community. On the coast a lot of people take themselves far too seriously.

 

[oldgit]

Supposed to be going on the clubs News Years Cruise tomorrow,have given up looking out the window in the forlorn hope the forecast is totally and completely wrong.

 

[sailorman]

Good luck with the move to the Solent. We may well stay (probably at the top of the Hamble where it is cheaper) after taking the boat to the West Country next summer.

When we started using the Thames two seasons ago we wrongly thought that you could boat all year. Between flooding and lock closures I have been surprised how limited our trips have been and used the boat more in the winter months when based in Poole. That said, it is wonderful to go to the boat, go out for the day and not have to worry about stowing everything every time you want to move... The kudos have really appreciated that with their toys.

The other BIG difference we found between Thames and Coastal boating is that the Thames is so much friendlier! Everyone dawdles along, chatting at each lock, waving (except rowers) and there is a sense of community. On the coast a lot of people take themselves far too seriously.

Get yourself over to Holland, its friendly there too

 

[Wavey]

One thing I won't miss is the rowers