Observer
regular
Reged: 21/11/2002
Posts: 1177
Loc: Bucks
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I was thinking of taking the RIB for a spin on the Thames on Monday.
www.boatlaunch.co.uk lists a few potential launch sites - Twickenham, Richmond and so on but I have no direct knowledge.
I have a 6m RIB towed by a RWD saloon so the slip needs to have good grip. Also need space to leave the trailer and car.
Any recommendations - from someone who's done it prefereably. Please include advice about tidal window for launch/recovery if possible.
TIA.
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Fair Prospect
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Forbsie
regular
Reged: 09/03/2002
Posts: 2762
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The Twickenham slip is clear at the moment but HW(7.2m) is 15.35 on Monday, so probably 14.30 before you could launch. Parking is available beside the slip.
That said, GeoffS should be arriving around then, so the kettle will be on. 
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byron
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 6830
Loc: UK -Berks
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Wink wink, nudge nudge, you can always launch at Ashmount and even leave your boat & trailer here ready for the Forum Rally.
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http://www.oceaneagle.fsnet.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk
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Cuchilo
regular
Reged: 19/04/2003
Posts: 4769
Loc: London
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The Richmond slip is just off the high street next to the (White horse ? pub) You can see it from Richmond bridge . I have seen people struggle to get back up the slip when it's wet . Twickenham is easier as it is gravel . Ham ( other side of Eel pie ) also has a slip if it's closer .
Mortlake (sian house) has another good slip if you are wanting to get past Richmond and also Putney . Not used any myself but have seen them all used many times .
I have seen a slipway next to the (MI5?) building if you really want to get into the fun bit but i'm not sure if leaving your car there is a good idea Actually i'm not sure if you would be allowed to use it  Anyone know ?
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Dont come running to me if you fall over and break your leg .
Edited by Cuchilo (04/05/2008 09:27)
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Richard_Shead
Head of Marketing
Reged: 14/08/2007
Posts: 1285
Loc: ated here
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The one at Vauxhall is (I think) public as the Thames "ducks" launch from there.
Come further up river it's far nicer!
All the ones below Ted lock are fine but can be a bit tricky at low water, if you can launch with any sort of tide it will help, just remember to move the car far enough away otherwise it will float away with you.....
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Cuchilo
regular
Reged: 19/04/2003
Posts: 4769
Loc: London
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Sorry i totally mis-read your post , i thought it said tidal
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Dont come running to me if you fall over and break your leg .
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Observer
regular
Reged: 21/11/2002
Posts: 1177
Loc: Bucks
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Quote:
Sorry i totally mis-read your post , i thought it said tidal
Well - you gave the the answer I wanted to a question I didn't ask, so thanks for the response, which was helpful. I wrote it wrong - I meant tidal.
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Fair Prospect
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Observer
regular
Reged: 21/11/2002
Posts: 1177
Loc: Bucks
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Quote:
The Twickenham slip is clear at the moment but HW(7.2m) is 15.35 on Monday, so probably 14.30 before you could launch. Parking is available beside the slip.
That said, GeoffS should be arriving around then, so the kettle will be on.
Is the launch/recovery window really only HW +/- 1 hour? Is there a slipway which gives a longer window on one tide?
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Fair Prospect
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Cuchilo
regular
Reged: 19/04/2003
Posts: 4769
Loc: London
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I think it was the word rib that made me think Tidal .
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Dont come running to me if you fall over and break your leg .
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Cuchilo
regular
Reged: 19/04/2003
Posts: 4769
Loc: London
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The slip at Twickenham is mainly gravel . Dont take my word for it as i have never launched from there but i'm sure you can launch at low tide there .
Thinking about it the reason the slip is gravel and the rest is mud is because Eel Pie still has working boat yards , so the boats going in (huge boats) must push all the stones to the Twickenham side leaving all the mud on the Eel Pie side .
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Dont come running to me if you fall over and break your leg .
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teddington_lock
regular
Reged: 23/10/2007
Posts: 299
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The slipway at Twickenham has a very shallow gradient .
On a big tide like a 7.2 , Richmond lift their sluices roughly 2 hours before HW Teddington ( 15.35 ) , the initial rise of the tide is usually pretty big on a tide like that , so i would expect ( if the tide isn't late and Richmond lift on time ) that you would be able to launch from 14.00 to around 17.00 ...
Don't bog down there , or you stand a good chance of flooding the car ( I know  ) I had to drill a hold in the rear footwells of dads car after this happened .....
But i guess this is all hypothetical as it is now 22.26 on Monday 
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BarryH
regular
Reged: 31/10/2001
Posts: 6122
Loc: In my own little world
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Tidal stretch, Putney Emabankment is the best I've found. Parking in and a round the side streets, but make sure you clamp/lock the trailer to the tow car. The light fingered variety of people frequent the place. Launch all states of the tide with a 21 foot and Range Rover. The riverbed is firm gravel and will take the weight. Dont' hit the gradient head on. Take it at and angle to lessen the incline. I've never had to use four wheel drive there....ever. Point the trailer in the direction of the stream when recovering. It makes it easier loading the boat and less of a tendency for it to shift off to one side. Speed limit of 8 knots down to wandsworth bridge then local bylaws need to be adhered to. Though I have taken the boat down at full chat "playing" with the police Targa.......and lost!
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Observer
regular
Reged: 21/11/2002
Posts: 1177
Loc: Bucks
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Thanks Barry. I also believe there's a slip at Kew Bridge - Strand on the Green. Any knowledge of that one?
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Fair Prospect
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Observer
regular
Reged: 21/11/2002
Posts: 1177
Loc: Bucks
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Launched at Putney yesterday and it was excellent. Masses of space and surprisingly quiet. Launch was easy enough at ~LW -1 (so completely on gravel) but I wouldn't have been able to recover - rear wheels were spinning just pulling the trailer back out. Recovery was easy enough from the cobbles/concrete at half-tide.
Thanks for the advice. Had a lovely run down to St Kats and beyond - so nice being able to 'get a move on' on such a hot day.
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Fair Prospect
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BarryH
regular
Reged: 31/10/2001
Posts: 6122
Loc: In my own little world
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Glad you enjoyed it. A run down through the capital gives you a view of it not many others get. If you launch/recover up by the boat houses the gravel is a lot firmer there, don't know why. Obviously the tow car makes a difference. But do be aware of a drop off from the concrete to the gravel in some sections. It pays to see these places at low water.
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