Tidal Thames meet 18-19 Aug 2018

Pat -just noticed Radcot is on the events page - are there any dates available yet?

Not yet Jim, but they assured me it would be bigger and better than last year

If the dates are OK, we'll be there.
After a meal at Lechlade on Sunday, we pottered up past Ken's mooring.  Was not to easy to turn around, but it was nice to go up that way again.  The last time I went up that far was in a canoe.  The river has got a lot narrower and overgrown in a lot of places since then. If it was'nt for Ken going up and down, I would imagine that you would not get that far up by cruiser!

Ken has done a fair bit of pruning this year, last year was a different story

Any more thoghts/plans/takers for the Tidal Thames trip?

Dates are set, Limehouse have got a reservation, we're going, don't know who else yet, believe Pat, Ken, Deano? Simrit Dave, Tony Tugboats, Olive couple of others have expressed interest. It is going to happen.

Chris

Thanks Chris.  I'd like to come to.  What are the dates?
Any special prep required?

18th/19th August for the actual cruise, leave Richmond at about 8.30AM possibility of overnighting at Twickenham on the Friday, or maybe above Teddingtron Lock so we're not on the half tide, not sure what Kingston is like for visitor moorings.  Sat morning leave in company and cruise down to barrier, tide turns at 13.30.  Prep, check fuel lines/tank crud and water from the bottom of the tank can get stirred up in rough conditions and clog filters, anchor/chain/decent warp, I would recommend lifejackets.  There should be enough boats in the fleet to lend a hand if anybody does get into difficulties.  There are at least 5 or 6 boats that will be carrying VHF so assistance can be summoned.  Common sense, its not to be taken lightly, but, numerous small vessels and narrow boats make the trip every year.  Safety in numbers.
Are you in the same marina as Pat?

Above Teddington lock would be best for overnighting...pubs within easy walking distance across the footbridge! Twickenham is half tidal and thus problematic, Kingston can be fine or not, depending on how many boats and mooring availability. Liase with Teddington Lock for moorings and subsequent passage through lock and Richmond Lock and Weir. The jousting above Richmond, waiting for the weir to open, would be familiar to the Prof. as it can be just like Wacky Races...(!)

At least Teddington is 24 hour, or at least was, I'll check with Lock keeper about mooring availability, at planned departure time gates will be down, so no Penelope Pitstop

I hope you mean gates will be up?(!) They lift to open at Richmond...and look for the red triangle showing the span is closed. A good look out for detritus in the water is needed too...the top of the tide carries all sorts of rubbish and it can get round props.

The gates will be open, up, down, ajar whatever, open to allow transit without locking.

2 hours either side of high water Richmond, iirc. It's a great run down...

Chris says above about checking fuel tank for water and crud which can get stirred in the rougher tidal waters.
Does anyone have any good tips for doing that?  (Apart from removing the whole tank and hosing it out with detergent through the filling hole) 
Rupert

When I did my tanks, I used a 12 volt electric fuel pump from a Jaguar (other pumps are available!) and a length of plastic garden hose. Down the middle of the garden hose I inserted a 3 foot or so length of bendy half roundish wood...then pushed the assembly into the filler pipe. When it hit the bottom of the tank it was at an angle, due to the angled filler...and a good push took the end right to the bottom front of the tank. Then the fuel pump pumped out the crud...and would drain the whole tank if needed. Pumping into a clear or translucent plastic container allows you to see what's coming out! Make sure everything is earthed, the tank to the pump for example.

Best solution is to remove the tank and clean, which I did when I first bought the boat.  Every couple of years I now do similar to Molmot - but I use a length of plastic tube with about 5 inches of copper tube on the end to keep the tube on the bottom of the tank. I use a 12V oil transfer pump - but my system is diesel.  You can get hand pumps which would be OK with petrol.  I also use a container which allows me to see what is coming out. After tank is drained, put some more fresh diesel in and redrain a couple of times. I know find there is very little sidiment in the tank when drained.  When going tidal also make sure your engine is well ventilated.  We have had problems from club members adding extra sound insulation - the engines ran fine at normal river revs, but on the tide using higher revs the engine was being starved of air and gave problems

Brilliant, I like the hand  pump idea. I will try this. I normally find v little crud in my fuel pump filter so I am guessing tank not too bad, but getting rid of any water which I guess sinks to the bottom seems like a good idea to regiularly do anyway... thanks all...at least I will end up with lots of petrol for the mower! I guess most Freeman petrol owners will have had the boat certificate top feed job done anyway but even so that means for me the last clean out was about 14 years ago so probably time for action!
Cheers
Rupert

Hi Rupert

There’s a lot more of this forum than you can see as a guest, we’ll worth registering for full access

done!!

Hi, and welcome Rupert, depending on your tank configuration using a clear plastic tube to scavenge from the bottom of the tank should allow you to see whats coming through, pump into a large clear drum, allow to settle, then scavenge from above the water and pump back into the tank through a filter. We're diesel and with sufficient settling time you can clearly see water at the bottom with diesel sitting above it.  Not sure if it is as well defined with petrol.  Might do a little experiment later

Oops sorry molemot, just repeated your sound advice.

You can't repeat good advice too often! Thanks All!
Rupert

Petrol shows up just as well...you can see it easily at the bottom of the container. Standard practise on light aeroplanes, drain a bit off an inspect for any water....you don't need engine failure after takeoff!!

essential reading for the tidal thames trip.

http://www.thamescruising.co.uk/wordpress/

Ideally all boats would have dual watch VHF - 14 and a selected channel we could all be on. then if someone develops problems, anchor down and broadcast to ourselves first. I suggest a side on tow to the nearest PLA buoy or pontoon. then a pan-pan to VTS, and let the flotilla continue as time is important.
If the boat in trouble has no VHF then the VHF owners can elect a designated "rescuer" who can bring up the rear. The victim then anchors down, rings them and gets a tow to a safe point where they can contact VTS via 999 coastguard. The flotilla can continue and the rescuer catch up.
It's a proposal...feel free to comment! it's probable that cruising clubs already have procedures for this but I have never done it before so not aware of them.

Mobile phones are extremely useful for ship-to-ship...and you can talk to the Barrier too, if you get their phone number. VHF is the best way, but a combination of the two can make things easier...
Make sure you all know the signs for closed arches on bridges...a bale of straw dangling from the arch(!) denotes restricted headroom..... even if you fit underneath, best not to use that arch... With the others, there may be no obvious obstruction, but you get divers and underwater lumps and all sorts.