MidnightStroller

Thanks you. They don’t paint top side though, only blacking.

Hello, Looking for recommendations please. The roof on my boat needs repainting. As it is such a big area (overall size a 60x11) I think it needs a professional job and not my dabbling! The wood burner chimney and flue need replacing too so I am looking to get it all done at the same time. I’m based between Bray and Windsor so anywhere close would be good but clearly I’ll travel to a suitable location. Recommendation create fully received. Thank you.

Thank you yes. That is what the SIB is for. I can sit in the middle of the river

I have a partial solution to my actual question in the OP. Thank you to all who commented. It appears that neither the EA (nor anyone else) publicly give Thames flow speeds. I fell back on open water sailing knowledge and bought a speed log (shows speed through the water). I’ve rigged it to a phone bty pack (12v) and can dip in the water from the bank or anywhere in the stream if I deploy the SIB to read the speed of the river (assuming I’m stationary). I can also thus confirm my own boats best speed through the water - this will avoid the guess work. As mentioned - porta potti arriving tomorrow so I won’t be going out just for a PO.

It can be a tricky entrance. I knew that facing upstream you always have more control. Your advice seems to mirror my ‘plan’ I had thought of. Porta-potti en route and I have enough fuel for a few months - always like to keep everything full just in case. Which marina has the wide entrance out of interest? I’m happy here - it’s close two work when I need to be here and not at home. thanks for your thoughts.

I’ve noted how slow EA are at updating! thank you for your advice I have w very sizeable anchor, chain and rope always good to go (I may have overestimated the requirement but it will work!)

I had considered that. My concern is that if I can’t get back into the Marina there are scant moorings downstream! Thank you

Morning All, Apologies if this has been discussed before but I couldn’t find it on the search: I have a 60x11 Piper Widebeam with a 60hp Beta in a Marina on the Thames near Bray. I am new to boating having only had 1.5-2 weeks cruising since I purchased the boat this year. Q. Is there a way of working out the speed of the river? I can’t find any useful websites with the info. I am really only interested in non-tidal Thames, particularly between Henley abs Shepperton. We are on yellow boards (increasing) and have been all week. The river levels themselves are not a problem, I just want to make sure if I go out I can get back up stream. I have tried measuring the speed of floatsam by walking at pace with it using a gps. It’s around 2.5-2.8 mph (at least on the surface). I have been told she will make 3.8-4.5 mph. In theory it seems fine as I only want to go 1 mile downstream to empty the holding tank before winter and fuel up. Any advice would be appreciated. I am aware that going out on red boards may invalidate insurance. Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Great - very clear answer. Thank you.

Hello. I am new to the boating life and have a pump out (with macerator) installed on my WB. I have been told conflicting advice about loo roll. Should I be using 'boat specific' loo roll or will normal loo roll be fine? Exciting stuff - but very important. TIA

She was moved from Caversham (near Reading) to Bray. All in all 22 miles and 10 locks. Fortunately, the former owner very kindly came and helped/taught me for a day about the boat and showed me correct manoeuvring drills (I am inexperienced so this was gratefully received). She has been newly blacked by Butcher Marine and looked very smart as the counter had been freshly painted too. We almost didn't make it out though as the fuel tank was almost empty. It seems this had been 'borrowed' whilst waiting for collection in a Marina in Northamptonshire. At least 150 litres gone..... Anyway, we are there now. It was very enjoyable and I am looking forward to some pottering for the rest of the year.

Will do once we have some action!

Good Morning. Brand new to boating, moving my boat today for the first ever time - very excited. 60x11 widebeam. Looking forward to learning lots.