Bacchus

It might be lower - I just googled "current flow thames staines" and got that result. Of course I don't see the same bloomin' thing now to screenshot, but links to the NFRA website which suggest that it goes down to about 10-15 cumecs in August. I would say your cross section is about right (slightly narrower and deeper where I am, but 200m2 sounds reasonable), that would give a flow of 5-7.5 cm/s I expect I will be in it at the weekend - I shall try to time myself drifting past the boat (c: would still only take about a minute to fill the lock completely, and is still only an interruption to flow rather than an extraction whether the user is going up or downstream.

I find the talk of locking restrictions on the Thames somewhat disingenuous. My local lock - Penton Hook - which is quite a biggy, takes roughly 750 cubic metres to fill. The flow at Staines is currently 65.8 cubic metres/second, so it would take less than 12 seconds of flow to fill the lock completely (compared to a fill time of 10-15 minutes); but -- here's the thing... when you open the downstream sluice, the water goes back into the river. How would restricting lock use affect flow? It isn't like a canal where each fill moves water from the top to the bottom.

a bit toppy price-wise, but not bad for that London, and with mooring... https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85602288

I think the accommodation licences for things like poles banged into the river are a bit on the steep side - I know someone who has to pay about twelve hundred quid a year for two, and someone else who has to pay about eight hundred because he built a pontoon which overhangs the river by about eighteen inches tapering to zero EA are skint. They grab every penny they can, but, yes, they can be very helpful. Just don't let them smell a wallet with any cash in it...

Doesn't RCR stand for "River Canal Rescue"?

No. That's true. A tenuous "inland waterway" connection which I thought might be interesting. I will have to try to remember that what interests me may not interest other people. My apologies to the forum if they feel that I have wasted their time on frivolities by failing to distinguish between different types of navigation.

In the River Stour apparently... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-62140953

I am humbled by this thread. Sometimes I put off just cleaning my boat...

The Thames isn't 100% ideal for narrow-boats, this being one of the main reasons. Many moorings are aimed at providing a facility for half a dozen cruisers but can be completely taken by one or two narrow-boats. There isn't much of a culture of rafting on the inland waterways, and in any case I think most small cruisers would see rafting next to a 70' narrow-boat a bit like tying on to a train and having no clue how to get ashore even if they did.

The Thames is beautiful, lovely, one of the most beautiful places on Earth IMHO, but in winter it can be completely uninhabitable and extremely dangerous in any craft, let alone a 15' cruiser. As it happens @Hugh Dictyostelium, I did try to do something very similar - I studied for my PGCE at Oxford Uni and decided I would take my little Shetland 535 (a relatively massive 17') up to Port Meadow to stay on during the week. I think I made it to November before taking digs... Beautiful pontoon moorings outside a Staines pub in summer Not so inviting in winter (to be fair this was the infamous 2014 flood, but there is absolutely nothing to say that it won't happen again!)

Back on topic... bridgewater canal https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/waterside-properties-residential-for-sale/700749 leasehold by the looks, but long lease and 130' frontage (plus a house) for 325k Rightmove link -- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85719276 or a freehold neighbour -- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85435854

Good place for a lock-in...

Currently flying the Q here in Bacchus Towers... (Covid 19 - just when you thought it was safe to go back into the supermarket) (I wonder if I've got a coffee pot anywhere...)

I didn't realise you were in IT...

LoL - you might be right. Or paint over the beautiful teak ceiling with "London white" and call it a live-aboard? 150 more views and seven more watchers since yesterday morning. Still no enquiries; nothing. Not even "wot's yorr lowest price mate?"

Yes

The market for cruisers has certainly peaked. I was thinking of selling my boat for various reasons this year; two brokers have told me that they didn't want the business, and that "larger" boats (it's 36') weren't selling so I popped an a up on the Duck - two enquiries in two months. Risked the eBay nutters - in ten days over 1400 views, 35 watchers, not a single enquiry. (And, no, it isn't up for "a strong price to take advantage of the current market", it's up at the same price it was three years ago when it needed painting and got a lot more interest, and compares favourably with all similar vessels.)

Cooking for one is tricky, but it's eating for two that's my downfall... (c:

No, it's just a towpath property really, but a very appealing one. Have a look on streetview, it's a lovely spot, access to the high street via an alleyway behind the cottage, little storage shed but no real land, and no mooring.

I have just been to view this one... https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/123638036 Stunning location, lovely town. Would make a perfect holiday home, but (sadly) I think it is just too small to be a home for me )c:

The superstructure is predominantly aluminium. I have been in touch with the seller and seen a couple of photos of the boat before her first(?) resto... Would certainly raise an eyebrow or two at the Henley Trad Boat Rally...

Would this be the thing -- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294978494647 I am hugely tempted - a lot of boat and history for really very little money picture for when the eBay ad ends...

Swans are complete bastards. We had a local one that was witnessed killing at least two "rivals". Dead of old age now, I have to confess I am pleased to say - the birdlife around here has increased dramatically since his demise! We don't get many eagles or ostriches on the Thames, so I can't comment on them. Believe me if one swims past I shall consider it worthy of a post... I have noticed this recently. I think it's something to do with deliveroo culture...