A boat on the Thames
Discussion
Hi All,
As we've recently moved to Richmond, and as a friend has moved to Kingston, we were wondering over the weekend about going halves on a boat for weekends on the Thames.
We both have young families, and thought it could be a nice introduction to the water and boating and also to see if we enjoy it. I've done some sailing, but nothing else.
The thing is, we know absolutely nothing about what we legally (and sensibly) need for this. We have a notional budget of £20k for the boat purchase and then we'd need to consider mooring etc. on top of that. Needs to accommodate 4 adults and a couple of kids.
Is there a guide to this type of boating - or what brands / boats should we consider? I assume a boat for the Thames would then not be a suitable boat for slightly longer trips eg if we moved the boat to Southampton to then head west towards Devon / Cornwall?
As we've recently moved to Richmond, and as a friend has moved to Kingston, we were wondering over the weekend about going halves on a boat for weekends on the Thames.
We both have young families, and thought it could be a nice introduction to the water and boating and also to see if we enjoy it. I've done some sailing, but nothing else.
The thing is, we know absolutely nothing about what we legally (and sensibly) need for this. We have a notional budget of £20k for the boat purchase and then we'd need to consider mooring etc. on top of that. Needs to accommodate 4 adults and a couple of kids.
Is there a guide to this type of boating - or what brands / boats should we consider? I assume a boat for the Thames would then not be a suitable boat for slightly longer trips eg if we moved the boat to Southampton to then head west towards Devon / Cornwall?
You could wander down to the Thames Ditton Marina and have a chat with the people there. They also have boats for sale. It's on the Portsmouth Rd just south of Kingston. I only say this as I have sometimes thought of doing the same and have looked at the boats for sale in their window when they were closed.
Don't hold me to this but I'd imagine that you'd get what you want with your budget and mooring will be around £4,000 a year, I think.
http://www.tdmmarine.co.uk/
Don't hold me to this but I'd imagine that you'd get what you want with your budget and mooring will be around £4,000 a year, I think.
http://www.tdmmarine.co.uk/
Hi matey.
I live near Kingston on the river so in a reasonable position to comment.
Think about how often you'll use it and whether all year or just spring and summer, if you need a cabin or loo on board, if you'll leave it in the water or take it out.
We summed up all of these things and decided that we'd largely use in summer but we wanted some weather protection if it turned nasty. There are enough pubs and places to stop on the teddington to molesey reach so didnt need a loo. We ideally wanted a mix of seating or daybed to sunbathe on in good weather.
Also, think about what sort of outboard (assuming you dont go inboard). Dont get anything too small or even at river speeds you're having to push it a little and then its noisy and intrusive.
we ended up with one of these which has been brilliant. Will easily take 6 adults plus kids. front is either seating with a table or a large daybed.
http://www.riverandcanalboats.com/boat_262214.aspx
We do now have a couple of other boats so mix and match.
I think you'd be looking at between 1000 and 4000 for mooring depending on location.
I live near Kingston on the river so in a reasonable position to comment.
Think about how often you'll use it and whether all year or just spring and summer, if you need a cabin or loo on board, if you'll leave it in the water or take it out.
We summed up all of these things and decided that we'd largely use in summer but we wanted some weather protection if it turned nasty. There are enough pubs and places to stop on the teddington to molesey reach so didnt need a loo. We ideally wanted a mix of seating or daybed to sunbathe on in good weather.
Also, think about what sort of outboard (assuming you dont go inboard). Dont get anything too small or even at river speeds you're having to push it a little and then its noisy and intrusive.
we ended up with one of these which has been brilliant. Will easily take 6 adults plus kids. front is either seating with a table or a large daybed.
http://www.riverandcanalboats.com/boat_262214.aspx
We do now have a couple of other boats so mix and match.
I think you'd be looking at between 1000 and 4000 for mooring depending on location.
as a further aside, you'll need to register it with the environment agency, a number of criteria which dictate how much this will cost, not bank breaking money though, and also insure it.
Then, keep your speed down, keep to the right, give way to the non powered craft and dont go out when the river is in flood or running fast thinking it will be an adventure. It will be miserable and dangerous. Enjoy!
Then, keep your speed down, keep to the right, give way to the non powered craft and dont go out when the river is in flood or running fast thinking it will be an adventure. It will be miserable and dangerous. Enjoy!
Thanks Craig, all useful info.
In an ideal world, I think we'd like a small cabin so we can sleep on it so making it a proper "weekend away" type of boat - it would offer us more flexibility that way. As you say, it needs to cruise quietly - I'd guess an inboard motor would be quieter than an outboard?
Problem is, some of the boats with cabins at our budget are so damn ugly!
In an ideal world, I think we'd like a small cabin so we can sleep on it so making it a proper "weekend away" type of boat - it would offer us more flexibility that way. As you say, it needs to cruise quietly - I'd guess an inboard motor would be quieter than an outboard?
Problem is, some of the boats with cabins at our budget are so damn ugly!
CraigVmax said:
yup that is an issue. Think about whether you are likely to sleep with 2 couples plus kids on it and if so, where. You'd need a residential mooring if sleeping where you keep it. There are places out on the river you can stay for 24 hours though.
It'd just be for an overnight stay, so the 24hr mooring would work fine.I suppose, we could just stay in pubs if the whole cabin thing proves too hard.
Over budget (Isn't that par for the course?!) - but my mate sent this over:
http://www.riverandcanalboats.com/boat_515048.aspx
What do you reckon? I quite like it.
All the advice on here is sound and realistic , however do not forget that a w/e away will only give you a limited distance you can travel and get back to your mooring on the Sunday evening. If you are looking at keeping it at say Kingston you are limited (by time ) upstream to Windsor and back ,your options downstream for a boat of the size you are looking for are even more limited unless you use the canal network from Brentford.
I suggest you get together with your mate and hire a boat for a week or even a week-end and see how you enjoy it and then decide if you do want to commit to the purchase and all the attendant costs !! I spend a lot of time on the Thames and I can tell you the Banks are littered with Cruisers of every shape and size, 75% of them never leave their moorings !
I suggest you get together with your mate and hire a boat for a week or even a week-end and see how you enjoy it and then decide if you do want to commit to the purchase and all the attendant costs !! I spend a lot of time on the Thames and I can tell you the Banks are littered with Cruisers of every shape and size, 75% of them never leave their moorings !
Maybe a bit of tradition?
http://www.hscboats.co.uk/website/prdfitzroy.htm
Downside is they look great but are hard to keep looking great!
http://www.hscboats.co.uk/website/prdfitzroy.htm
Downside is they look great but are hard to keep looking great!
I agree with the V8 'sports cruisers' being unsuitable for river use - expensive to run and poor internal space. I think for comfortable days on board with 4-6 people, or weekends with children, you're looking at a cabin cruiser, 28-32' long, with an inboard diesel engine. 50hp is all you need for river (non-tidal) use).
Aft cockpit designs have either one big internal space, perhaps with a curtain as a divider to separate into two sleeping areas, or a bulkhead giving a front cabin. If privacy is important - eg you want to invite other couples and don't want to hear each other belching and farting, consider centre cockpit designs. These usually have a hard sliding roof over the cockpit which sometimes makes a large enclosed lounge area, with a seperate cabin at front and back.
£20K should get you a decent boat but remember mooring/marina fee and river licence fee are on top. Insurance and fuel are quite reasonable - I've done almost 100 hours this year and used about £150 diesel (Shetland 27 with 40hp Yanmar inboard).
Next step - go and look at lots of boats for sale and start to get an idea of what you like and don't like. Once you've narrowed it down to 2-3 options, see a few of those and you'll start to get an idea whether a boat is good, bad or lemon. On the Fens we have Jones Boatyard in St Ives which is a great place to do research as they have all the boats for sale on site. I don't know if there are similar places on the Thames.
This is a good read for a newbie: www.amazon.co.uk/Motor-Boat-Manual-Maintaining-Rep...
Most boats are coming out/being laid up for the winter now; you might be able to get a good deal but you'll have to decide how to stop it freezing up through the winter months. It might be wiser to do the research now and buy in the spring, otherwise you have all the overheads and little use - and a lot to learn all at once!
Aft cockpit designs have either one big internal space, perhaps with a curtain as a divider to separate into two sleeping areas, or a bulkhead giving a front cabin. If privacy is important - eg you want to invite other couples and don't want to hear each other belching and farting, consider centre cockpit designs. These usually have a hard sliding roof over the cockpit which sometimes makes a large enclosed lounge area, with a seperate cabin at front and back.
£20K should get you a decent boat but remember mooring/marina fee and river licence fee are on top. Insurance and fuel are quite reasonable - I've done almost 100 hours this year and used about £150 diesel (Shetland 27 with 40hp Yanmar inboard).
Next step - go and look at lots of boats for sale and start to get an idea of what you like and don't like. Once you've narrowed it down to 2-3 options, see a few of those and you'll start to get an idea whether a boat is good, bad or lemon. On the Fens we have Jones Boatyard in St Ives which is a great place to do research as they have all the boats for sale on site. I don't know if there are similar places on the Thames.
This is a good read for a newbie: www.amazon.co.uk/Motor-Boat-Manual-Maintaining-Rep...
Most boats are coming out/being laid up for the winter now; you might be able to get a good deal but you'll have to decide how to stop it freezing up through the winter months. It might be wiser to do the research now and buy in the spring, otherwise you have all the overheads and little use - and a lot to learn all at once!
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 29th October 19:23
I know someone that works here and have heard only good things,
http://www.tingdeneboatsales.net/thames.html
Give them a call, if he is avalible ask for Neil, I'm sure he would be willing to give you a bit of advise and show you around!
Let me know how you get on!
http://www.tingdeneboatsales.net/thames.html
Give them a call, if he is avalible ask for Neil, I'm sure he would be willing to give you a bit of advise and show you around!
Let me know how you get on!
Just bought this last week and very happy...especially with the Sea trial ( lots of fun ! )
Plenty of space inside and out but it is the V8 petrol so pretty juicy.
http://www.boatwizardwebsolutions.co.uk/pls/search...
Plenty of space inside and out but it is the V8 petrol so pretty juicy.
http://www.boatwizardwebsolutions.co.uk/pls/search...
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