2nd time holiday boater - help turning at Oxford

[ddaann_99]

Hi,

 

Hope this post is in the correct place. I'm new here.

 

Me and my family of five are fortunate enough to have secured hire of a lovely 62' narrowboat for our Summer holiday. This will be our second adventure into naviagting the canals and we're all genuinely excited. We'll be setting off from the Napton area just south of Birmingham and I originally thought it would be a good idea to head for Oxford as we have the boat for 10 days. After a little further investigation it would appear that visitor moorings at Oxford are a little on the sparse side and turning around should we fail to secure one (in August), might prove tricky with out 62' long narrowboat! Isis lock winding hole for example appears to be restriced to 50' boats.

 

I did consider heading down the Grand Union to Hemel Hempstead as an alternative but my family were quite taken with the idea of seeing the sights in Oxford....

 

Is there anyone out there that can advise on mooring/turning at Oxford? I've read about people mooring on the Thames but as this is a private hire boat and only my second time doing this I'm a little worried about river currents and permission to do so etc.

 

Many thanks in advance!

 

Dan 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

Hi,

 

Hope this post is in the correct place. I'm new here.

 

Me and my family of five are fortunate enough to have secured hire of a lovely 62' narrowboat for our Summer holiday. This will be our second adventure into naviagting the canals and we're all genuinely excited. We'll be setting off from the Napton area just south of Birmingham and I originally thought it would be a good idea to head for Oxford as we have the boat for 10 days. After a little further investigation it would appear that visitor moorings at Oxford are a little on the sparse side and turning around should we fail to secure one (in August), might prove tricky with out 62' long narrowboat! Isis lock winding hole for example appears to be restriced to 50' boats.

 

I did consider heading down the Grand Union to Hemel Hempstead as an alternative but my family were quite taken with the idea of seeing the sights in Oxford....

 

Is there anyone out there that can advise on mooring/turning at Oxford? I've read about people mooring on the Thames but as this is a private hire boat and only my second time doing this I'm a little worried about river currents and permission to do so etc.

 

Many thanks in advance!

 

Dan 

Private hire boat?

[ddaann_99]

1 minute ago, The Happy Nomad said:

Private hire boat?

Yes, I'm hiring the boat from a family rather than from one of the major hire companies like Black prince etc. Apologies if that's not the correct terminology.

[Keeping Up]

IMHO the trip to Oxford is much more enjoyable than the one to Hemel. Instead of proceeding right to the end of the arm where as you say the winding point is only 50ft, you can instead simply go down through the easy lock, wind on the river backwater there (this is permitted without the need for a Thames licence) and come back up again. I believe there should be moorings near the lock too.

 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

Yes, I'm hiring the boat from a family rather than from one of the major hire companies like Black prince etc. Apologies if that's not the correct terminology.

There is no problem with the terminology.

 

Just the status of the terms of the hire. This comes up so often I'm pretty sure others will explain.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[ddaann_99]

3 minutes ago, Keeping Up said:

IMHO the trip to Oxford is much more enjoyable than the one to Hemel. Instead of proceeding right to the end of the arm where as you say the winding point is only 50ft, you can instead simply go down through the easy lock, wind on the river backwater there (this is permitted without the need for a Thames licence) and come back up again. I believe there should be moorings near the lock too.

 

Thank you kindly for the advice.

 

Sorry but when you say the "easy lock" which lock are you referring to? As far as I can tell it's Isis lock or Duke's cut further up North?

 

 

[john6767]

Just now, ddaann_99 said:

Thank you kindly for the advice.

 

Sorry but when you say the "easy lock" which lock are you referring to? As far as I can tell it's Isis lock or Duke's cut further up North?

 

 

It would be Isis Lock, you can go down that, wind and back up.  There are a good number of moorings above Isis lock so perticularly in these times you should have no problem with space.

[Guest]

There are mooring spots dotted all along the route into Oxford right up to Isis lock. As far as I remember there are long sections where no mooring is allowed as they are sign posted as conservation areas, but plenty of space to stop and didn't have any problem finding somewhere suitable with access to the city centre when I was there last summer.

As mentioned above, with a boat that length I think your only option is to go through Isis lock to turn around as I had to, but a fairly easy maneuver. There's instructions on the lock to help with the method of tying up to the pontoon to turn around incase there's a significant flow on the river which might make normal winding difficult. 

[ddaann_99]

1 minute ago, john6767 said:

It would be Isis Lock, you can go down that, wind and back up.  There are a good number of moorings above Isis lock so perticularly in these times you should have no problem with space.

OK so do you mean go down Isis lock and continue heading south it all the way to where it joins the Thames and wind there?

 

Are the currents there likely to cause problems for a novice boater?

 

Where do they take the fee from you for joining the Thames?

 

Cheers

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

29 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

Yes, I'm hiring the boat from a family rather than from one of the major hire companies like Black prince etc. Apologies if that's not the correct terminology.

I'll bite :

 

To hire a boat it must have a special 'commercial safety certificate' (different to a 'private' one), it must have a commercial boat licence (different to a private one) and it must have commercial 'hire or reward' insurance (different to private insurance)

You also need a 'Landlords' gas certificate in addition to the Boat safety.

 

There have been a number of incidents where people have arranged a 'private hire' and had accidents or the boat has sunk and the insurance will not pay out.

 

Just check if you family friend' is actually licensed to hire his boat out and it may be worth asking for evidence of the required certificate / licence, if he declines to show you the paperwork then there is something to hide and you'd be better arranging a proper (legal) hire from a company.

 

Edit to add link explaining what is required :

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/723.pdf

Edited July 16, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[dmr]

Go down Isis Lock and turn with one end of the boat actually on the lock landing, so you don't really go onto the Thames, just a Thames channel. Can be tricky if the River is in flood but otherwise easy. Chances are you will find a mooring spot. The Bookbinders is a lovely combination of an English pub and french restaurant, go early or book a table.

 

.............Dave

[john6767]

24 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

OK so do you mean go down Isis lock and continue heading south it all the way to where it joins the Thames and wind there?

 

Are the currents there likely to cause problems for a novice boater?

 

Where do they take the fee from you for joining the Thames?

 

Cheers

 

 

No you can just turn directly below the lock and go straight back up.  In the summer that flow will be minimal.  You are allowed to do this to turn without a licence.

 

Alternatively given you have the time you could choose to do a loop including the Thames and use Isis lock one way and Dukes Cut the other for the cost of a one day Thanes licence.

[ddaann_99]

1 minute ago, john6767 said:

No you can just turn directly below the lock and go straight back up.  In the summer that flow will be minimal.  You are allowed to do this to turn without a licence.

 

Alternatively given you have the time you could choose to do a loop including the Thames and use Isis lock one way and Dukes Cut the other for the cost of a one day Thanes licence.

Is it possible for a novice to turn a 62' boat just below the lock though? The signs seem to say 50' winding hole... 

I take your point about paying for a day's license though and making it a car ocular route including the short stretch of the Thames. Thanks to everyone for your input. 

[john6767]

3 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

Is it possible for a novice to turn a 62' boat just below the lock though? The signs seem to say 50' winding hole... 

I take your point about paying for a day's license though and making it a car ocular route including the short stretch of the Thames. Thanks to everyone for your input. 

The 50ft winding hole is on the canal above the lock.  There is much more space below the lock.

[ddaann_99]

5 minutes ago, john6767 said:

The 50ft winding hole is on the canal above the lock.  There is much more space below the lock.

Ahh OK, I understand now. I've been looking at pictures of the lock and clearly mistaken pics of the top for the bottom. Thanks very much. I think I'll head to Oxford and hope to get a mooring and wind at the lock bottom and head back if not. Thanks very much for your patience and advice. 

[Scholar Gypsy]

4 hours ago, ddaann_99 said:

Ahh OK, I understand now. I've been looking at pictures of the lock and clearly mistaken pics of the top for the bottom. Thanks very much. I think I'll head to Oxford and hope to get a mooring and wind at the lock bottom and head back if not. Thanks very much for your patience and advice. 

This photo may help. Isis Lock is at the top of the photo, the channel to the Thames (sheepwash) goes off to the west (left). To turn here, just put someone ashore on the pontoon below the lock with  a bow line, and let the current (if any) take the stern round. There is now a barrier of green cylinder thingies that stop you from going where you should not (bottom of the photo). 

 

It's worth exploring Port Meadow anyway - ie go down the sheepwash channel and turn right, there's a mile or two before the first Thames lock at Godstow.  

[Movin' on]

Definitely do the Oxford and you might even have time to do a day trip on the Thames (and turn around) - IMHO GU to be avoided esp the closer you get to the M25!

Enjoy

[Athy]

If you want to see the sights of Oxford, may I suggest the following?

Cruise down the South Oxford canal to Banbury. Turn at winding hole a few hundred yards below the town lock. Moor in Banbury (usually ample spaces, all shops, sanny station). Walk to Banbury station (centrally located). Take day trip to Oxford (frequent trains, journey time 20 minutes).

 

If you want to go all the way by boat, fine. If not, this idea might work for you.

[Onewheeler]

Down Isis lock, wind and back up. There was plenty of space to tie up above the lock a week ago. The trains are sometimes noisy there. Beware however, some of the marked mooring areas further up the canal in Oxford are shallow at the edge (in some cases due to edging stones having fallen in and causing obstruction). Come in cautiously (always a good idea!)

[davem399]

We came up the Thames and through Isis lock a couple of years ago.  We had no trouble getting a mooring almost opposite College Cruisers above the lock, and it was a fairly short walk into town.

[OldGoat]

Rather than fiddle around with the canal down into the centre of Oxford (which - the former is rather dark, narronw, muddy).

Instead come off at Dukes cat down through the Thames (the very nice lockie at King's will relieve you of some money)  and enjoy the magnificent view ofd the City from Port Meadow. There are lovely EA moorings above Isis lock which are free and remakably quiet.

The Thames licence that you have purchased are valid until the following day at midnight - so you effectively get two days of wonderful Thames scenery for your cash.

 

There is little current on the Thames at the moment; more so because there' not been a lot of rain around - thus you shouldn't panic.

Silly to go as far as Oxford and not take advantage not only of the City but also of the Thames.

[howardang]

42 minutes ago, OldGoat said:

Rather than fiddle around with the canal down into the centre of Oxford (which - the former is rather dark, narronw, muddy).

Instead come off at Dukes cat down through the Thames (the very nice lockie at King's will relieve you of some money)  and enjoy the magnificent view ofd the City from Port Meadow. There are lovely EA moorings above Isis lock which are free and remakably quiet.

The Thames licence that you have purchased are valid until the following day at midnight - so you effectively get two days of wonderful Thames scenery for your cash.

 

There is little current on the Thames at the moment; more so because there' not been a lot of rain around - thus you shouldn't panic.

Silly to go as far as Oxford and not take advantage not only of the City but also of the Thames.

It might be worth the OP checking with the family he is hiring from that the boat is allowed  to go on the Thames and that it is appropriately insured with the correct licences etc.. I notice that he hasn't replied to Alan's caution in Post 10 about "non standard" hiring via a family rather than a company. 

 

Howard

[ddaann_99]

Greart advice from everyone on here and I appreciate you all takng the time to chime in. I'm comfortable now that I can wind at the bottom of Isis lock, come back up and moor. If it's too busy to moor then heading back towards Banbury and taking a train might be an option as Athy says.

 

We're hiring the boat not from friends/people we know but from a couple who have been privately hiring their narrowboat for the last 5 years or so. They did request an itinerary of names/ages etc from me to satisfy the requirements of their insurance. Beyond that I haven't asked about licenses etc if I'm being honest.

 

In terms of the Thames I'm going to run it past the boat owners to see if they're OK with me taking the boat on the river and if their insurance covers it. Perhaps if I make good time getting into Oxford I'll head up Sheepwash and onto the Thames for a while.

 

A few last questions if you'll endulge me...

 

Is there likely to be enough room to turn my 62' boat at Port Meadow to head back down Sheepwash?

 

Or alternatively, could I pay the Thames day fee at Godstow lock and carry on up to Duke's cut to rejoin the Oxford canal heading North back home??

 

Is it difficut to moor on this part of the Thames should we want to stop for a couple of hours, eg shallow banks etc? Do you have to pay to use proper moorings on the river?

 

 

Apologies for the barage of questions here but I like to know what I'm doing in advance of getting there when the panic sets in!

 

 

 

[Keeping Up]

12 minutes ago, ddaann_99 said:

Or alternatively, could I pay the Thames day fee at Godstow lock and carry on up to Duke's cut to rejoin the Oxford canal heading North back home??

That is what I would do.

[Onewheeler]

There's plenty of room at Port Meadow to wind, be careful as the edges are shallow. There's a nice customer mooring by the Perch there. The bushes upstream of Sheepwash have nice places to moor, free and quiet. Officially 24 h but the sign is very well hidden. East Street is free for the first 24 h and was almost empty last week. Below Osney Lock it is feasible but not attractive to moor. Opposite Christchurch Meadow is usually full of long term boats but there is always space and it's nicer if you get further away from Folly Bridge. Good mooring above Iffley lock and it's usually quiet. Isis Farmhouse pub at Iffley is open except Tuesdays and has a huge riverside garden.