Windsor to Bourne End question, how long?

[wilko999]

Hi all,

Firstly, please let me apologise in advance for the forthcoming weekend. if you are on the river between Windsor and Henley next weekend I am having my stag do on a couple of boats travelling up to Henley and back between Friday and Sunday.

I should add, we are all nearly 40 so we are hopefully the wrong side of stupid and I am also a boat owner so i do understand the laws, respect and politeness associated with river use. Should any friends play up, I'm not with them, don't know them and I am already sorry.

I'm more familiar with my own little stretch as I generally only use my boat between Wargrave and Marlow and the other way to Reading as I have a speed boat it's often used on the south coast as much as the river where I can actually use the engine!

Ok, so pre warning given, apologies raised in advance, on the Friday we plan going from Windsor down to Bourne End setting up overnight camp at the Bounty in Bourne End. I'm not using my own boat (too small) but 2 hire boats. Just after some info as to how long it would take from Windsor to Bourne End as I'm aware the Bounty don't serve food after 8PM so trying to judge a set off time!

If you see us on the river and we are misbehaving, then shout and we'll give you some free beer, if we are behaving then please throw us some of yours!

Wilko

 

[jecuk]

Depends on locks, I would say 2-3 hours.

 

[mlines]

I'm more familiar with my own little stretch as I generally only use my boat between Wargrave and Marlow and the other way to Reading as I have a speed boat it's often used on the south coast as much as the river where I can actually use the engine!

Does this mean you are based at or near Val Wyatt and go to the South Coast etc. - if so then "snap", perhaps we should hook up sometime.

Also, shame you are on your stag do on Friday or you could have joined my speedboat gathering at Maidenhead for a bit of "cobweb removal" and exercising of engines.

 

[No Regrets]

Depends on locks, I would say 2-3 hours.

Spot on. Can be done in two from Bray, more likely knocking three if you're the other side of the lock to start with...

 

[Sulley]

When you say Windsor I assume you are picking up from Kris Cruisers?

If so about 3 to 4 hours you have 5 locks to do

I'll be in Henley so I'll keep my eyes peeled for naughty boys!!

 

[No Regrets]

 

[rosssavage]

Nauti buoys, Sulley...

I'll get my coat...

 

[wilko999]

Does this mean you are based at or near Val Wyatt and go to the South Coast etc. - if so then "snap", perhaps we should hook up sometime.

Also, shame you are on your stag do on Friday or you could have joined my speedboat gathering at Maidenhead for a bit of "cobweb removal" and exercising of engines.

Yep that's me, based at Val Wyatt in the trailer area. 14" Fletcher GTO with 70HP outboard. Where do you go around here then for an engine exercise? I either go down to the lake at Eversley or just down to the coast. I'm fortunate in that my parents live on Poole Harbour and have a mooring, currently with no boat on it as they sold theirs 2 years ago and now spend most of their time abroad so I have a nice base down there for weekends!

Thanks to everyone else, useful replies and I know how long to give it now! Will be in Henley on Saturday night. Again apologies if everyone is a little worse for wear by that time! We really don't mean to offend are we really are a nice bunch! My 72 year old Dad is coming and my future Father in Law so I'm sure they'll keep us in tow and Dad was a Thames boater out of Bushnells for 20 years so there are some sensible ones aboard!

Looks like the weather is going to be fantastic too!

 

[shades]

Kris Cruisers to The Bounty will take you between 3-1/2hrs and 5 hours, depending how you catch the locks. If all locks are in your favour you will do well to beat 3-1/2hrs. Catch Romney just after the gates have closed and you can lose at least 20mins (at your first lock). Do the same at Boulters and it will cost you a bit longer. For the smaller locks, add 10 mins or so. If you have to do a lock that is not manned between 1300hrs and 1400hrs and more time will be lost, especially if the lock is "the wrong way 'round" when you arrive.
Best to allow 5 hours if you want to be certain to get there in time to order food...

 

[DWT]

What is this food business all about? I thought you were on a stag do.

 

[boatone]

When you say Windsor I assume you are picking up from Kris Cruisers?

If so about 3 to 4 hours you have 5 locks to do

I'll be in Henley so I'll keep my eyes peeled for naughty boys!!

Might not be Kris Cruisers ! Classic Cruisers operate out of MDL Windsor Marina - their boats are the Vikings named after composers.

"Brahms" and "Liszt" would be very suited to the occasion, dontcha think ?

 

[Sulley]

Might not be Kris Cruisers ! Classic Cruisers operate out of MDL Windsor Marina - their boats are the Vikings named after composers.

"Brahms" and "Liszt" would be very suited to the occasion, dontcha think ?

Doh, of course forgot to put my brain in gear!

Very suited

 

[shades]

And the answer was...

3 and 3/4hours, with ALL the locks in their favour!!

 

[wilko999]

And the answer was...

3 and 3/4hours, with ALL the locks in their favour!!

Nice to meet you this morning! Spot on info and thanks very much!

Think we did pretty well and what a fantastic weekend weather wise to be on the river. Everyone well behaved and we are all so knackered after each day (and p***ed) we were all asleep by midnight both nights!

Only one out of 15 fell in and that was on day one just after coming out Cookham lock. More upset about his iphone in his pocket than anything else.

Thanks to all who offered advice!