Mooring on the Thames

[DaveClark]

Hi everyone

I have a Shetland 535 currently in my garage, all the project works are now complete and it’s ready for its maiden voyage
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a bit big to keep taking out and launching each time I want to use it, I had to remove the rain screen and canopy just to get it in the garage.
I wondered what your thoughts are on launching each time, seems like it will be hassle and I feel I won’t use it as much because of this

Option 2. Permanent mooring.
(Non tidal between Teddington and Chertsey.

I’ve searched high and low for moorings and find the Marina moorings are expensive.

Can anyone advise on reasonable priced moorings ? Im thinking an option could be hardstanding to save costs.

Maybe someone knows of somewhere I could try

As always thanks for your help.

Dave

[Clive]

Keep it on the trailer! Penton Hook charge £44.20 per metre per month! They let you use their slip for £17.50 a day or £60 wish per week (includes car parking) which is a much better deal. I looked into it years ago and it was over £2000 per year for my 16ft boat. You can buy a great trailer and get the money back soon enough, plus you have the boat on hand to work on at home. You can also get day licences for the Thames rather than an annual one, so overall massively cheaper to trailer and not have your boat rotting away during miserable winter months.

You can moor overnight most places and at locks for 48 hours, or you can go on the waiting list for a lock mooring with the Environment Agency.

Just googled that as I'm going to be using my boat on The Thames this year, I'm towing from Guildford.

[dellquay13]

Some marinas have dayboat berths, in corners too small or too shallow for gin palaces, a long way from water and electric points, which are cheaper. They may not advertise them on their websites.
A marina boat yard could be an in between option for easy storage, security, access to a slip and keeping costs down.
There is a lot to be said though for the ease of having a boat ready to go 5minutes after your arrival, and for me it's worth the expense. I pay Welsh prices though, not home counties premium prices.

[dellquay13]

Dryboat stacking? Do they do it on the Thames? Loads of it around coastal marinas...
You phone them before you arrive, and a big forklift moves takes your boat from the stack to a holding berth in the water ready for you. At the end they get it back out and put it back in the stack after you have gone, it's cheaper than a marina usually.

http://themarinegroup.co.uk/drystack/

[DaveClark]

Thanks for your advice
I’m still torn on what to do
I’d love to have the option of just turning up and launching from the Thames , I think it’s easier but expensive

Any more advice or even reasonable mooring options would be welcome

[Clive]

We cruise on the River Wey (as well as the Thames), which is a lovely stretch of water. I was talking to a friend with a narrowboat who said as good as it is having the boat on the water, you have to start from the same place every time. That is fine for a season or two, but they sometimes have a two week journey to explore a new place - then two weeks back. I could do that in a day towing. Plus I want to try Poole Harbour and Norfolk Broads, all of which are easy to get to. Both work. For me just now I like the trailer option, but go for the mooring and give it a try. Its not a 25 year lease after all! Let us know where you find. Sounds like we are quite close so we may see each other!

[DaveClark]

Nice one Clive

I can see the advantages and disadvantages of a both options a permanent mooring is great for literally driving to a spot and going out on impulse but yes same place, but I think boat would get used more
it does appeal on the other hand driving to new places to launch.
But
I’m quite nervous about reversing a trailer and launching as as it stands not done it once as yet, I’ve literally just brought the boat back from where i brought it (Herefordshire)
The reversing in the oversized lorry bays at motorway services was an experience

But I suppose the more you do this it becomes easier.

When I’m out on the water I’ll look out for you !

[dellquay13]

Re reversing, if you use mirrors rather than looking over your shoulder, then it is more intuitive. If the trailers veers right in the mirrors, turn the top of the steering wheel to the right to correct it.
Mark the trailer mudguards with something like tippex to show when the boat is central on the rollers on recovery

[Clive]

Good shout dellquay13. Also, bear in mind the trailer will start to turn more and more, so when it starts to turn, you will need to straighten the steering a bit, otherwise it will jack-knife. It's practice, even Jeremy Clarkson struggles! I look in the mirror and if I see more on the left, it's left hand down on the steering, if it's on the right, it's right hand down. Slowly slowly is the thing don't worry about it, the number of times I've been backwards and forwards to get the car and trailer straight...

Also just found this with a brilliant suggestion - check it out!

https://youtu.be/vVVEl917UOU

[DaveClark]

Great video Clive