Launching on the Thames

[Andy]

Rather than the South Coast this weekend I thought for a change would plan a trip on the tidal part of the thames, looking to launch below Teddington and travel up to Thames barrier not something I have done before. I have looked at various website to find out some of the regulations and as far as I can determine there is a speed limit from Teddington to Wandsworth bridge of 8 Knots and below this no speed limit. Is this really correct?? can I go as fast as I like past the houses of Parliament? and is there no other licence required to use this part of the Thames? Also looking for good slip to launch 21ft boat between Teddington and Wandsworth that has parking for trailer and good access etc.. I have already visited boatlaunch but some slipways do not sound very promising.

A number of questions I know but just wondered if anyone has experience of this and any recommendations

Many thanks

Andy

[Jon Fuller]

It's true that there's technically no speed limit below Wandsworth bridge, but the PLA will pull you over for any kind of dangerous driving, or putting up a large wash. I've gone down through London many times without any bother, in fact the only time I can remember having trouble with the authorities was taking a Riva 48 Supermerica down from Chelsea harbour, and I was stopped coz my wake was concidered excessive.

I've always used the launching facilities at Putney bridge (Putney hard), there is parking along the riverside street, but it's first come first served so to speak, so get there early.

Wandsworth bridge is about half a mile downstream from Putney.

My biggest warning would be to watch out for large debris in the water through london, like railway sleepers, cable reels and the like.

Great view of London tho'

happy boating, JF

[Captain Chaos]

Originally posted by Johnson
taking a Riva 48 Supermerica down from Chelsea harbour

was one eating cuecumber sandwiches and sipping pimms?

flash

[Jon Fuller]

If you met the geezer who owned it, you'd realise the cucumber sandwiches & Pimms line was 'Inappropriate'

was a monster tho, Cummins 400hp V8's, nice.

I managed to put the fecker on a sand bank just downstream from the Hamble river .....very embarrasing

[Andy]

Hi Jon

Many thanks for your help.


Andy

[Captain Chaos]

Matt,

ever occur to you that you & I arent exactly the most helpfull at times?

[Foolish]

Do you have a current "safety certificate" ?

Needed for above teddington but not sure about below

also try this

http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/navigation.htm#two

[Chrisallse]

An open boat with no gas or toilets on board does not require a cert

[Foolish]

I assumed that it did only after i checked the std equipment for a "Well Craft Excel 21" , maybe i am still wrong but a call to "the London Port Authority" should confirm wether one is needed or not

DESCRIPTION
1996 WELLCRAFT EXCEL 21SC, 21' 4.3L MERCRUISER, STEREO, STOVE, SINK, PORTA POTTI, FRIDGE, FULL COVER, BIMINI TOP & TRAILER. ONLY 50 HOURS

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/4/52671944.htm

[Ice Kiddie]

Originally posted by Chrisallse
An open boat with no gas or toilets on board does not require a cert

Not quite correct, Chris... inboard engined craft operating above Teddington Lock will need a BSS regardless of the other details. I'm fairly sure that there's no requirement for all that silliness when operating below Teddington Lock.

[Andy]

Although I have not spoken to LPA directly from all the information I have found my understanding is that the safety certificate and river licence are only required from the Environment Agency and this is above Teddington.

[Ice Kiddie]

Originally posted by Andy
Although I have not spoken to LPA directly...

It sounds like you used Garfie as an intermediary!!

Yes, you're 100% correct Andy, as far as I inderstand it.

[Chrisallse]

Originally posted by Ice Kiddie
Not quite correct, Chris... inboard engined craft operating above Teddington Lock will need a BSS regardless of the other details. I'm fairly sure that there's no requirement for all that silliness when operating below Teddington Lock.

Sorry..an open boat with an outboard....Like my RIB...but you still need a licence and they run to December so if you buy one now you get striped up

[Foolish]

I agree Chrisallse..... got seriously "ripped" of last year £134.00 for 2 6hr trips in 2003 ... will stick to a "day" permit from now on !!

[Andy]

Okay! I got to slipway by Putney bridge around 9-00am, even though I misread the tide table, I thought there should still be more water than this looks like it would be difficult launching a rowing boat. So we went to plan B

[Andy]

After deciding it would be more than a couple of hours to have enough water, we drove down to Hamble instead. Will just have to re-plan our trip along the Thames.

[Jon]

Hi Andy,

A little time spent studying Tide Tables will be worth the effort and pay dividends.

How was your jaunt along the Hamble?

I hope you didnt get stuck on the JOHNSON sandbar.

[Jon Fuller]

If they re-named it after me I'd be honoured!

[Andy]

[A little time spent studying Tide Tables will be worth the effort and pay dividends. ]

Many thanks for such good advice, studying the tide table wasnt the problem choosing the right month and day was.


[How was your jaunt along the Hamble?]
We launched at Hamble Point and out into the Solent and considering the nice weather it was pretty choppy out there, well for a small hard boat, popped across to Gunwharf Quays at Portsmouth had lunch at the Yellow River. After we did a little tour of the harbour to look at which Naval ships were in then back out through the harbour entrance and seems everyone who had a boat on the Solent was trying to come back in though the small boat channel at the same time, you always seem to get several sailing type boats all abreast taking up the whole channel I guess they think they own the road, must be quite a difficult job when its this busy for the QHM patrol on station at the entrance.

Got back to slipway and the tide was on its way out in full flow right across the slipway, I normally manage to at least drive the boat onto the trailer most of the way up but after 3-4 attempts and a couple of nicks in the brand new prop, it was into the water, well not me anyway, just the crew to manhandle the boat onto the trailer, Does anyone have any tips for when its like this? only thing I can think of for next time is to have the trailer angled down stream slighty.


[I hope you didnt get stuck on the JOHNSON sandbar. ]

I always check the charts and plan a route before we go out and use GPS so usually avoid any obstruction but re-checked the chart and still could not find Johnson sandbar, whats the location??

Thanks

Andy

[Johnny Rocket]

Originally posted by Andy
I always check the charts and plan a route before we go out

Like you check the tide tables?