river cam

[Timx]

Hi,

Whats the best guide book, up to date for around the river cam area, and anyone know how long it takes to get from ely to march in a n.b., want to go races on the thursday but have the hire boat back in march by the saturday ??

[MoominPapa]

Hi,

Whats the best guide book, up to date for around the river cam area, and anyone know how long it takes to get from ely to march in a n.b., want to go races on the thursday but have the hire boat back in march by the saturday ??

To answer the "how long" question, you need to talk to the lock-keeper at Denver or Salter's Lode, since it depends on tide times for the crossing between the two.

 

MP.

[tillergirl]

We did that in two days lazy cruising.Its about 20 miles from Ely to Denver. There were 6 boats all turned up at teatime one day and he came over and had a word with us to let us know what time he wanted us over at the lock pontoons to wait for the tide on the following day - think it was round about lunchtime (beg of August). He was very helpful. We were back at base early afternoon the morning before we were due back. If its any help we did March to Cambridge and back in 6 full days and we weren't exactly rushing. Oh and we used to Lockmaster map that was on the hire boat.

[Timx]

We did that in two days lazy cruising.Its about 20 miles from Ely to Denver. There were 6 boats all turned up at teatime one day and he came over and had a word with us to let us know what time he wanted us over at the lock pontoons to wait for the tide on the following day - think it was round about lunchtime (beg of August). He was very helpful. We were back at base early afternoon the morning before we were due back. If its any help we did March to Cambridge and back in 6 full days and we weren't exactly rushing. Oh and we used to Lockmaster map that was on the hire boat.

Thanks for that,want to go to Cambridge from march and back in a week, but one day will be spent at Newmarket, so just thinking about the logistics,if it takes six full days , i would only have five, so will have to rethink..

[FadeToScarlet]

It's about 5 hours from Salter's Lode to March, and about 4 hours to Ely from Denver. Ely to Cam is 4 to 5 hours. Add in a couple of hours to transit SL to Denver, and you're looking at about 15 hours cruising. Those times are based on my boat which can cruise at 8 or 9 kph, any boat hired from Fox's would be able to do the same.

 

How that is spread out depends totally on the tides, so give Paul at SL a ring and find out when you'd be able to go through.

 

One vital thing you MUST check is the diary of events here- http://www.camconservators.co.uk/events_all.asp

 

Any rowing events will have a navigation closure whilst racing is in progress. You would be able to get through between divisions but could get held up for up to a couple of hours.

 

The sailing events don't have navigation restrictions.

 

In terms of guidebooks, Imray publish one for the Middle Level and another for the Ouze which includes the Cam. Both are interesting but not essential, you could try getting them from a library rather than buying them.

[Timx]

It's about 5 hours from Salter's Lode to March, and about 4 hours to Ely from Denver. Ely to Cam is 4 to 5 hours. Add in a couple of hours to transit SL to Denver, and you're looking at about 15 hours cruising. Those times are based on my boat which can cruise at 8 or 9 kph, any boat hired from Fox's would be able to do the same.

 

How that is spread out depends totally on the tides, so give Paul at SL a ring and find out when you'd be able to go through.

 

One vital thing you MUST check is the diary of events here- http://www.camconservators.co.uk/events_all.asp

 

Any rowing events will have a navigation closure whilst racing is in progress. You would be able to get through between divisions but could get held up for up to a couple of hours.

 

The sailing events don't have navigation restrictions.

 

In terms of guidebooks, Imray publish one for the Middle Level and another for the Ouze which includes the Cam. Both are interesting but not essential, you could try getting them from a library rather than buying them.

 

Thats great thanks