River Medway on a canal boat

[magnetman]

I am considering taking my 40x9ft canal boat onto the Medway to have a look round.

I have done Limehouse to tedding ton a few times no problem but is the Medway a bit insane?

 

I'm happy with the fuel tank and reliability of the boat but just wondering how rough it is down there. I saw a home made video of friend's princess 25 going there when I was a teenager and it seemed to be quite severe.

 

Any advice gratefully received

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Hi ya, I love the Medway, Explored a lot of the Medway Estuary and the River it's self over a Cpl of Years,. I for one Highly Recommend it,

Are you a Livaboard.

Are you a CCr or near as dam it.

Are you happy Anchoring,

Are you pretty much self reliant for pwr ect.

 

If answer is Yes to above, then you could spend years in that General area, unless you go Mid and Upper Medway, then your a bit more limited. Loads of places for Water fill ups and Rubbish Disposal and Elsan points ect, Generaly Friendly, Spoiled for choose for Marinas but bring a cheque book,

You can go up into all the Shallows and dry out no problem at all for a tide or two, there are literally Dozens of free Anchorage I can let you know of that are afloat all tides but you will be boat bound. Take a Tender !!.

Im happy to try and help with any questions if I can, I will try and dig out my old Log books and notes.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[magnetman]

I live on another boat - the one I am referring to is a holiday boat which is a cc er so it would need to be left unattended occasionally. I am mainly interested in the general roughness of the tidal bit - I did get a bit wet steering on the back deck once when passing HMS Belfast with wind against tide. The boat has quite a low buoyancy at the front and chines rather than vertical dide plates so she'll roll and dive a bit...

Side plates

Its this boat but not quite as clean and tidy now 15 years on

 

http://www.pickwellandarnold.co.uk/Profile_Other/Cobo/Cobo.htm

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Oh ok,

Well my Honest advice would be Treat the Medway Estuary as you would the Sea, With respect !.

The Sea state can be Short and Steepish. With little Fetch, so can be uncomfortable, in the Very lower open areas. And this can have it's effects still noticeable right up past Medway Bridge Marina (Very good Marina,Port side a few mile after Rochester Bridge). And 'Try' and avoid Wind over tide. .. Possibly the Worst Affected areas for you in all but ideal weather will be Gravesend to Gillingham. ( depending on boat speed you may want to take to the bottom at Mucking Flats (if not blowing a hoolie) or even Canvey Island!

But there are loads of NBs on and around the Medway. That cope just fine. (What Eng have you got,and what speed is it happy pushing you along at)

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[magnetman]

Perkins P4 6knots a bit sluggish tbh

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

What a gorgeous looking boat,,i noticed it's up for sale, or are you the new proud owner ?.

I can't see Scuppers in the fwd Well Deck, I take it She Has got them !. And that's a lot of Glass ! But I'm sire you know her capabilities and handling.

When are you thinking of doing your trip ?.

Well my normal cruising speed is 7ish Kts,so I'm guessing you'll be fine if you pick your tides.

 

BTW My boat is up for sale on the For Sale and Wanted Board if you was wondering what boat I've got at the moment.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[magnetman]

Was thinking late May or June, out of Limehouse. I see I will probably need one stop on the way if I am aiming for Allington.

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Well that distance @ 6Kts,I should think you will need to take to the ground then, As your Tidel gates are going to be, loosing The Ebb out of Limehouse, Before Catching The Tide to get you up the Medway Proper, in order to Lock through Allington Lock (Manned). Unless you have Two Hands on the Helm. It's a long day to do it in one, but doable. Just not so much fun and you miss out on a lot.

But once through the lock,Then it gets very much the same as a typical River or even Canal, through a City with all you would expect, Buisier, Less moorings, Argumentative, Troublesome, Rowdy at Night ect Until you Clear Maidstone, & get to somewhere around East Farliegh, gets a bit Narrower & Shallower, But Very Nice,I could only get to just before Yalding. ,,,, I hope you really Enjoy it. Keep us posted.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[John V]

My little narrow beam cruiser is based in Benfleet at the moment, she is very much designed as a canal craft and has a tiny 2 pot vetus diesel...top speed 5.5 maybe 6 flat out. Last time I came down, the estuary was like a mirror. left Limehouse just before dawn on the last of the flood and took 6 hours to Southend pier....had to wait a few days before the weather was perfect because she can be very uncomfortable in a chop. You mention rough water near the Belfast....it can get very nasty around there. On the Mayors river pageant (the rehearsal for the jubilee) I was on one of the escorting tugs and some of the narrow boats were really bouncing.

If you are cautious and have half an eye on hidey holes and are prepared to wait on good conditions you shouldn't have any problems.

 

 

edited to add.....wouldn't advise going on big tides

Edited April 26, 2014 by John V

[magnetman]

Thanks Paul just read your edit - I have owned Cobo for just over 5 years

 

Thanks too John V I've been told the worst bits are around the pool of London. I like the idea of stopping at Southend !!

 

PS yes she has quite large (4.5 sq inches) scuppers in well deck but i would be cutting a piece of 18mm ply to board over that area as well for safety.

[Scholar Gypsy]

Rather fine new pontoon moorings at Gravesend, if you want to pause there. See photos here.

 

The sea state was very calm, though the wash from passing ships and tugs was quite substantial. SPCC are doing this trip again on 7-8 June.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Scholar Gypsy

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

The on

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[magnetman]

Thanks Scholar Gypsy I had been thinking of stopping at Gravesend

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Is the concrete barge (a convenient stop for the tide ) still at um oh where was that, help me out. SG !.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

QUEENBOURRA

Or something like that, yes,I'm sure it was.

[John V]

For Southend your best bet is probably Bell wharf at Leigh-on-sea free for 24 hours (water point available)...take the ground on western side, sandy bottom....end of quay is often in use by fishing boats otherwise go up the winding channel to Leigh marina they have some jetties but you'll need to phone first or if its just for a break or to wait for tides just anchor in the Ray, if you tuck fairly well up towards Canvey point you are well protected by the sandbanks except at the top of the tide and if it gets really bad just sneak up a bit further into Benfleet creek

Is the concrete barge (a convenient stop for the tide ) still at um oh where was that, help me out. SG !.

 

 

someone was telling me about some changes to the access at Queenbrough...I can't remember what as I was only listening with one ear. There's several boats that go over there regularly for a boys weekend so I'll ask in the shed in the morning and post it later.

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Ahhh really !.

I haven't been there for approximately 4/5 years, but am going back at some point soon so would like to know any changes, really Appreciate it, Thanks John V.

[John V]

Just another thought, if you need to spend more than 24 hours on Essex shore you could go right up Benfleet creek next to the tidal barrier to Dauntless Boat yard they would probably find you a temp berth (for a fee) and its only 1/2 mile to railway station.

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

And let's not even mention what in my opinion its quite possibly the best Chandler (of the same name as the creak) around that area, many a time I've come away with stuff that I just didn't need,at an incredible price !.

It's Brilliant !. & it's got a cafe over in a porta cabin as well while you wait for the tide.

[John V]

And let's not even mention what in my opinion its quite possibly the best Chandler (of the same name as the creak) around that area, many a time I've come away with stuff that I just didn't need,at an incredible price !.

It's Brilliant !. & it's got a cafe over in a porta cabin as well while you wait for the tide.

 

Yeah it's well worth going in and seeing Curtis, I don't know where he gets it all from but it's always stacked out with an incredible range of goodies. Quite a lot of the boat owners round here breakfast over at the cafe regularly.

[GUMPY]

With 6knts you can easily to London to non tidal Medway in one hit, I have done it in Parglena and she was not even that fast.

Secret is where you start from.

Leave Bow Locks as soon as you can but ideally no later than 1hr before HT London Bridge

You will need to be passing the Thames barrier no later than HT

 

You should arrive at Sheerness at low water, this will allow you to take the flow up to Allington where you should arrive before HT

The return is leave Allington an hour or so before HT arriving at Sheerness an hour or so before LW, push the outgoing tide as far as Coryton then ride the flow up to Limehouse or Brentford arriving at HT.

Don't attempt it if the wind is above F3 or if there is wind over tide.

There is a good guide downloadable from SPCC

http://www.stpancrascc.co.uk/node/87

 

Charts are a good thing to have both electronic, linked to GPS, and paper,

Also much other safety gear VHF lifejackets etc.

 

Whilst you are down there the rivers Crouch and Blackwater on the other side are well worth a visit all doable on a calm day.

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

Hasn't the dad (Started out in Boat Paint) handed the Empire down to the boys !, OH and it might be worth mentioning, it WAS strictly CASH only, unless it's changed in recent years.

 

Anyway, to the OP.

I highly recommend that if possible you make the trip in Convoy with other boats, so ask some of the London-based Cruising Clubs,,might be worth a go.

[John V]

Hasn't the dad (Started out in Boat Paint) handed the Empire down to the boys !, OH and it might be worth mentioning, it WAS strictly CASH only, unless it's changed in recent years.

 

No change still cash on the nail !.......Still moans about cost of going to boat jumbles but hasn't stopped though. People think its cheaper at a boat jumble but he's the same price in the shop and you don't have to buy a ticket to get in !

[magnetman]

Thanks Loddon that's all good to know.

I remember Parglena at Bourne End, last time I saw her she was by Staines Rly bridge. Nice barge

[GUMPY]

Thanks Loddon that's all good to know.

I remember Parglena at Bourne End, last time I saw her she was by Staines Rly bridge. Nice barge

Indeed we sold her just under 2 years ago and downsized to a NB,