Thames slipways (Chertsey to Marlow)

[johnmm]

Hi all
Totally new here and also a new boat owner.
Got the bug as friend has open boat we went out a lot down in Chichester harbour this Summer so went and bought a similar boat.
Planning on using down there too but as we are up in Egham and as stones throw from Thames at Runnymede I thought I'd look at using it for odd little family trip around the area.
Just seen I have to register it with EA which is ok as I'll measure length and Width when I collect it and pay the relevant fees BUT has anyone got experience of local slipways I should look to use?
Boat on trailer is pretty light and manageable so may be ok to 'lower' and pull up a normal slipway with rope round towbar so as avoiding front wheel drive car or Transit van on slippy concrete.
Also, need any info on parking trailer as notice at Windsor (beside Leisure Centre) that theres plenty parking but do you pay for trailer as well as car or do you leave trailer near slipway (yes I will be making it hard to steal!)

Any tips, info and general advice welcomed!

Cheers in advance...

[mlines]

Hi John

You do not say what boat you have in both terms of model and size this will determine where you can slip from.

In terms of public slipways that can take larger boats (power boats up to 6 or 7 metres then you are quite limited as large, well constructed slipways are few and far between

For these larger boats you can get in at:

1. Walton Marina - can be tight with parked cars and boats poorly moored in marina but will take an 18ft bowrider ok.
2. Windsor public slipway - large and well used. Park trailer under bridge (free) and car in leisure centre car-park (standard charges apply). Supposedly limited to 6 metre boats mainly because of sheer drop of end of slipway (do not drop your trailer over the edge!) However I think its been extended?
3. Windsor Marina (MDL) - large slipway but complex reverse around corner of building. £15 to park and launch in their secure marina car-park. We put our 7 metre boat in and out here as it is good and parking is great. However the balcony of the Yacht Club bar looks over the slipway so you get plenty of spectators and "advice".
4. Marlow - great slip in stupid position. Almost impossible to turn around at slipway and no parking at all
5. Val Wyatt WArgrave - very expensive (£80 just for the two way use of the slip - parking extra. Good quality slip ideally placed for Henley and managed by James (hence the price, he needs to keep his own boat in fuel )

For smaller boats (trailers that can be handled by hand)

1. Flower Pot pub - Hambledon. Popular with small boats hence can be difficult to park in amongst abandoned vans and trailers (free)
2. Hurley Farm - (not sure of charge). Some sheets of metal laid into the water from the bank. Very popular with small boats (sub-15ft) and we have seen larger go in but we would not use this slip (18ft bowrider and now 22ft cuddy)
3. Henley high street - no parking or trailer storage and often occupied by an ice cream van but we have seen small boats hand launch from here.
4. Bray - Next to pub - very narrow and poor parking. Often blocked by pub users and only for small boats.
5. Cookham - Next to pub - very narrow and poor parking. Often blocked by pub users and only for small boats.

A few other marinas seem to have slipways (Penton Hook and Walton Bridge for example) but we have not looked at them. There are other slipways suitable for rowing boats and canoes.

[mlines]

P. S I would not "register" it with the EA. Simply pay at the first lock you come to. Registering opens you up to a load of fees which as a day visitor you really do not want to pay.

[Ianfs]

Hi John and welcome.

I know your area very well as I was born in Hayes in Middx a long long time ago and moved to Hillingdon as a boy. My dad and I used to sail and fish at Chertsey, Laleham and Runnymead, and now my son is studying at Royal Holloway. It's a great part of the world to live and boat in.

I lived in Marlow for years and agree with Martin, the Slip is in completely the wrong place and should have been moved years ago. It is a great slip but as he said turning is an issue. With a single axle light boat and trailer no problem but swinging a large double axle round takes a bit of effort. Then there's parking, there is usually some room in Lower Pound Lane, next to Court Gardens but turning a trailer round is impossible unless it was unhooked, or you could try Court Gardens but on a sunny weekend, don't bother.

Nearer you is a slip at Truss's Island and also at Penton hook Marina.

My advice would be to have a drive around, without the boat attached, the slips we have mentioned to have a look and to get an idea of what is available, like parking.

There is also a website called Boatlaunch which some of the guys use, I'm not sure if there are any Thames slipways on it but its worth a look.

[ChrisH]

Can confirm boatlaunch is pretty good for Thames Slips.

+1 for Windsor slip. I launched a 15ft center console there are few times with no problems. Plenty of space under the bridge for the trailer as Martin mentioned.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[betty boop]

Hi

I agree with all the above and saved me a lot of typing.

No longer local but I have used Penton Hook for 10 years until recently and then Windsor MDL

Windsor, I havent experienced the on lookers (overlookers from the bar) but heard them!! the reversing is a pain but manageable with practice and I found it much easier in comparison to Penton and the set up, parking/paying is slightly better.

Penton ,
I was based at for 2 years but they put a barrier and compound around the slip, paying is a pain as the office is 1/2 a mile away around the other side of the marina. the slip way its self has an evil twist and adverse cantor with a large warehouse in the way. For a novice its doable but over 10 years it was a pain every time. and the loo's are pants.

Cruising areas for both are good though and well worth the effort. But as Martin say's dont register, its a waste and watch the charging structure at the lock. its cheaper to pay for 7 days than 2 and cheaper for 7 days x 4 than a month and they limit your visits to a month worth but never check or something like that.

FYI Thames is the only river they, the EA, seem to police now. I've heard from good sources that EA have laid off the inspectors and the ones that remain dont check river licence fee's on the 2 rivers I use Ive never seen an inspector and never paid the £8 a day charge. it seems licence by guilt only.