Thames Tear Up

[motorvator]

Ok so going on from the top gear thread, who's interested in Pash1s idea of winding up a few rowers then clearing off to chatham for a party?

So far

Our mob

6 Fairline / Sunseeker / Doral
1 Revenger
1 Baja
1 Air Nautique
1 Rib (that we might disown)

Darren and Taz with the phantoms I guess (what about the searay)

Pash1 with whatever he owns at the time!

Puppiesballs
Mr Rob
Dan
MikeK

So that's 18 before we start.

If John's happy we'll use the Boatmad name?


Possible Programme:

Friday evening hook up at St Cats and a few beers for the waterborn lads.

Saturday morning catch up with late arrivals aim for lunch at Chiswick Pier 12.00.

Leave at 2.00p.m. and head for Chatham. Approx 70 miles so 3 hours for the slower boats and PAsh1.

All through the lock and raft up on the event pontoon. Take advantage of the shower block which is probably the best in britain and up to the barbie area for food, drink and bollox talk about who got there fastest / wettest / upside down etc.

I'll organise the food but might need a hand as I'm prone to burning things when I'm drunk

I'll see if I can lay my boy's band on for the night (if Chatham are up for it).

Early morning lock for those interested and a days skiing / ringo / boarding etc in the Swale with lunch at Queenborough or on board.

Recovery possible at Wallasea / Chatham / Shoebury / Queenborough

Launch sites not too sure. Anyone?

Petrol. This is a bummer, No petrol on the Thames at all so you'd need to be full on launch and hope you make it to Chatham / Gillingham I know from experience that the Revenger won't make it from Southend up and Back on a single tank (240 litres) and that's without gunning it.

Likely costs:

roughly 20 quid berth for those at St Cats
Again 20 Quid for the night at Chatham
A fiver for the lunch berth at Chiswick
Band FOC
Food say a tenner a head
and that should be about it
Charidee doantion?

So who fancies some?

Weekend in April or March?

[TimB-C]

Have you guys thought this "might" affect future events being run?? Not wishing to pour cold water on a fun idea.....

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by TimB-C

Have you guys thought this "might" affect future events being run?? Not wishing to pour cold water on a fun idea.....

In what way Tim? I wasn't being serious about running down the rowers

All above board will clear it with PLA / River Police / London VTS / Woolwich Barrier. Slow run up to Wandsworth Approx 3 miles then the river is free to use at whatever speed you like as long as you don't endanger other users by your actions.

Barrier down is open water and Madway is similar rules down to just short of Gillingham where the eight knots kicks in for about 5 miles down to Chatham

[Pash 1]

I will be there with "The Cat"

or a rowing boat......

Jesus I have some good ideas (sometimes)

70 miles with my 300 flat out should increase global warming by at least a few degrees and if I tow the boat behind the Hemi its going to be a beautiful Summer....

Will have to keep a beady eye out for the Peruvian Knitted Hat wearing, Guardian Reading, Bleeding Heart Liberals, with Stripped Pine Flooring wearing Moldovian Bearthing Blankets but apart from that should be fun

SO COME ON LADS SIGN UP

[motorvator]

And to quote the PLA / Thames Gateway / Olympic Committee / Red Ken etc etc one of their primary aims is to promote leisure use of the thames

[Pash 1]

March or April May Im on a cruise.... how sedate is that!!!!

[TimB-C]

Wasn't even thinking of the rowers Having in the past ried to organise Putne/Calais I know the paper work and retrictions etc...

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by TimB-C

Wasn't even thinking of the rowers Having in the past ried to organise Putne/Calais I know the paper work and retrictions etc...

Understand where you're coming from Tim but there's a big difference between a rally of leisure users and a full bore offshore race hence the invention of the poker run.

The river is free to navigation as long as the navigator has due regard for what's around him.

Having said that if anyone is thinking of putting the london / calais back on the calender I'd be the first entry

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by TimB-C

Have you guys thought this "might" affect future events being run?? Not wishing to pour cold water on a fun idea.....

Anyway you ole fart, you up for it?

[Pash 1]

I know some great "Eastern European" dancing clubs in the East End

[Pash 1]

on reflection it was you (Motivator) who inticed me into them Kicking and Screaming if I remember correctly!

[TimB-C]

Less of the old if you please.................. I prefer fossil!!

[Mat]

Count me in!

[gazza]

Yep, i'm up for it, i'll bring the phantom.
gaZ

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by Pash 1

on reflection it was you (Motivator) who inticed me into them Kicking and Screaming if I remember correctly!

All a drink fuelled Haze for you I guess but I distinctly remember the kicking and screaming occurring on the way out not the way in

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by TimB-C

Less of the old if you please.................. I prefer fossil!!

Ok fossil, you up for it?

[Captain Chaos]

Originally Posted by motorvator

Understand where you're coming from Tim but there's a big difference between a rally of leisure users and a full bore offshore race hence the invention of the poker run.

do you think all the authorities would see it that way?

sounds a great idea to me

[motorvator]

Right enough of the chit chat tonight I'm of to do my bit at the annual Southend RNLI do (which normally involves too much to drink and buying some useless junk at auction which I then have to explain to the wife and make up stories about how beneficial it all is)

I'll reckon we'd have their full support as we pass three of their busiest stations in the country.

[motorvator]

Originally Posted by Captain Chaos

do you think all the authorities would see it that way?

sounds a great idea to me

The rules is the rules. As noted on the other thread I have already had a run in with the pillock at woolwich who thinks he can make up rules as he goes along.

He and the London VTS were left with a better understanding of the rules of navigation on the thames from the PLA who at the end of the day have the last shout.

You will also find the river police nothing but helpful as long as you're not being a dick and trying to nick some diamonds from greenwich or plant a bomb in westminster. Both of which I have to admit I have given consideration to

[Pash 1]

So far those "Up for it" are:

Pash 1 (Me), Motivator + 9 Essex Boaters, Gaz, Mat, MikeK, Dan, Mr Rob, Puppiesballs Daren and Taz

Poss: Captain Chaos

Thats 19 def's and 1 poss/could/would/should

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