Yacht in Cambridge?

Roach1948

Roach1948

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www.dallimoredesigns.nl
This is a bit hypothetical, but there is a possibility of me being based in Cambs from August 09 till summer '10. I would like to keep the boat there so I can do maintenance at weekends without needing me to travel anywhere.

How far up the Cam would one be able to take a 4ft draft yacht? I have seen some largish canal boats in the centre, but I bet they draw nothing.

I know Shane Acton sailed Round The world from Cambridge -but maybe Shrimpy did not draw 4ft either.

If it is possible, are there any decent boat yards for mooring/hardstanding?
 
As indicated above I have taken Sireina up the Cam to Jesus Green Lock.
That is within 1/2 mile of the Backs of the colleges.
We had to have the keel well up to avoid touching the bottom.

I think that you will have problems with 4ft draft.
The main problem will be the sills in the locks.
I am sure that you will get 3 ft though but not 4ft.
Assuming you are coming in via Kings Lynn.
I think that you will get though Denver sluice lock but the limit for you will be Bottersham lock.
That is about 5 miles down river from Cambridge.
There are some boat yards down river of that lock.
I don't have details of them at the moment.
D3B used to have a boat on the river and may have more details on the boat yards.

There are no boat yards above Bottersham lock.
The only moorings are at Cam Sailing Club, Cambridge Motor boat club, Private gardens and a lot of live aboard mooring up in Cambridge.

You will have to drop your mast in Kings Lynn.
There are some mooring buoys on the east side of the river just before the 1st bridge.
You will need to be very sure of your engine to get to them as the tide can run very quickly there.
 
Many many thanks for your help - I gathered that it was going to be a close shave on the draft issue. Bottersham lock is not too bad though... 5 mile cycle ride at the weekends will do me good!
 
You are welcome.
You should be aware that you will need a licence for the river.

Details can be found Here
This will cost you about £280 if you o/a length is under 7.5m or £360 if under 10m
For an annual Licence

You will need to certify that the boat complies with the boat safety scheme.
Details Here
 
Indeed - a trailer is not a bad idea, but actually I have never been quoted below 2.5K for a new one, and never had the luck in finding a suitable second-hand one.
 
If you can find somewhere to lift her out on arrival you could get a visitors licence.

1 day is £10
7 days is 10% of the annual fee (£28 to you)
31 days is 25% of the annual fee (£70 to you)
 
A sister boat of Straight Across was kept at Clayhythe, which is about half way up, with a draft of 3' 6". Didn't know the owner or know if he had trouble getting up further.

IanC
 
I think that if this change does happen then maybe, as Roger suggests, I will truck her. Atleast this allows me to keep her on hardstanding somewhere near the centre - and therefore negating the need for a car.
 
Once you have run the gauntlet from Kings Lynn to Denver lock....Its all silted up...unless they have dredged it in the past year or so....
Mobo plan used to be to leave Kings Lynn about 2 hours before HW and take the flood up to Denver. There are low bridges after Lynn so you will need to take down the mast before leaving. keep to the outside of the bends and I mean the outside, some you can lean over and touch the bank.....( i recall one trip going up there when someone radioed and said itsnt that nice ....herons in the middle of the river....Oh yeah....theres no friggin water!!!!!!) you will need to phone the lock the day before to tell them you will be coming up. its not always manned.
be prepared to stem the tide if there is no water and dont try to squeeze under the bridges....it runs fast and you could get stuck as did a mobo a few years ago....not a nice outcome. if you leave to late there might not be enough air draught to get you under the bridges. the entrance to the lock HAD changed....ask the lock keeper for instructions. they used to do a little chartlet but stopped when too many went aground and blamed them.....i will see if a friend still has the one he did a few years ago....he walked the bank...


From Imray ....River Great Ouse and tributaries:
River Ouse Wash to denver
16 miles
Draught 1.8m
Headroom 2.3 m

The river great ouse to Popes corner (river Cam)
(my bit)....no draught problems but there are some bridges. most of this bit runs with over 3 m. Distance about 18 miles.

Popes Corner River Cam to Cambridge
distance 14.4 miles
Beam 4m
draught 1m
headroom 2.8m
Locks 3.

again on this stretch its advisable to keep to the outside of the bends as it is shallow inside...

You are welcome to borrow the Imray book....any more help...just ask....



Bottisham (as the correct name) {pedant} lock: Width 4.5m Depth 1.5m Head 3.1 m


lots of free 24 hour moorings but many are run by GOBA and not sure if you can get short licence but if you are there for a while the 20 quid is not too much...
 
Tidal run is not too bad till you get to stowbridge then the bottom comes looming up at you if you are early and the outside of the bends can have shoals as well.
Entrance to denver lock is easy enough and fairly deep at present, it's since gone over from flood defence to waterways control so if you give the lockie a ring during working hours they will be there fairly quickly but a bit of warning wouldn't hurt.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A sister boat of Straight Across was kept at Clayhythe, which is about half way up, with a draft of 3' 6". Didn't know the owner or know if he had trouble getting up further.

IanC

[/ QUOTE ] Was "Straight Across" a small yacht that a memorable voyage? Googled it but came up with nothing - would be interested in knowing more as it sounds like it could be one of those voyages I like reading about.
 
As Ian C is absent I'll reply to your question. 'Straight Across' is a classic mobo once owned by his grandfather and later bought back by Ian. Lovely thing - used to be in Bradwell before he went all flappy and string.
 
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