mooring in St Katherines Docks - London
mooring in St Katherines Docks - London
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m0ssy

Original Poster:

920 posts

221 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
Was thinking of heading to St Katherines Docks in London over this weekend at some point.

Just wondered if anyone has previously been here, moored up for the night, had a couple of drinks, perhaps something to eat and left in the morning?

Do they have all the necessary facilities? Anyone have any tips they can offer?

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
It's well kitted with power, water etc and the world's your oyster for places to eat drink etc. If you don't fancy something on site you're only a short walk away from whatever you fancy really.

Only problem is the lock opening times. They only get 3 hours of tide for you to get over the cill so check your arrival and leaving times. They also have a temperamental footbridge which has been known to not come up leaving you stuck inside / outside!

Oh and as you're new to the boat, the tide does rip hard across the entrance of the lock so be sure you're familiar with the boat before attempting it if it's not slack water at the high tide.

Edited by MOTORVATOR on Monday 18th April 17:09

DJFish

6,016 posts

292 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
As above, it's tide critical!
And I once spent a very bouncy night alongside the pier on the river due the footbridge/locks breaking!
The boozer in St Katherine's is nice but I remember it being quite pricey, Bodeans is just across the road and they sell meat.

tank slapper

7,949 posts

312 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
They probably won't have space: The Marina is fully booked between 20th April 2011 - 3rd May 2011. (from their website).

Limehouse marina might be an alternative, though I expect they will also be busy.

m0ssy

Original Poster:

920 posts

221 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
eek yes it does look like they are busy according to the website.

Tide times are all checked and will be strictly adhered to of course.

Is it likely the pier outside st.katherines dock would be free? can you stay overnight free?

I guess it doesn't have to be St Kats docks, It appeared to be the best place in London for mooring up and having a beer, unless anyone else has any suggestions?

Ideally mooring on a floating jetty, near a couple of pubs that also do food, in central london, if it wass free moorning all the better but dont mind paying if i have to! smile

Simpo Two

92,642 posts

294 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
MOTORVATOR said:
Oh and as you're new to the boat, the tide does rip hard across the entrance of the lock so be sure you're familiar with the boat before attempting it if it's not slack water at the high tide.
The closest I've been is a fast mill race - but you know the side current is strong when you can put the helm hard over into the current and the boat goes straight!

London seems a very different place from my marina; £22/foot and no facilities to speak of - if you want a pee, find a tree!

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Monday 18th April 2011
quotequote all
m0ssy said:
Is it likely the pier outside st.katherines dock would be free? can you stay overnight free?

I guess it doesn't have to be St Kats docks, It appeared to be the best place in London for mooring up and having a beer, unless anyone else has any suggestions?

Ideally mooring on a floating jetty, near a couple of pubs that also do food, in central london, if it wass free moorning all the better but dont mind paying if i have to! smile
You really don't want to tie up to the pier. The Thames is very uncomfortable down there with the amount of tripper boats running back and forth. That and the tidal rip make it a place to avoid.

Greenwich pier always sounds like a good idea too but that is exactly the same. Get off the river in the pool of London if you want your boat to stay in one piece.

m0ssy

Original Poster:

920 posts

221 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
MOTORVATOR said:
You really don't want to tie up to the pier. The Thames is very uncomfortable down there with the amount of tripper boats running back and forth. That and the tidal rip make it a place to avoid.

Greenwich pier always sounds like a good idea too but that is exactly the same. Get off the river in the pool of London if you want your boat to stay in one piece.
Ok advice heeded, I like the boat the way it is biggrin

London is out now anyway, as phoned all the Marinas with the answer of "sorry we are full" frown

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

311 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
All the rivery people I know said going to town doesnt end up being fun.

Why not go upstream to the runnymede?

http://www.runnymedehotel.com/?gclid=CPmChtHbqKgCF...

or if not wanting to go so far then Hampton court, free overnight there.

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
m0ssy said:
Ok advice heeded, I like the boat the way it is biggrin

London is out now anyway, as phoned all the Marinas with the answer of "sorry we are full" frown
If you want to get close to city then Cadogan, Chiswick and Putney are about your options for a safe berth in the river. Other than that fill her right up and I'll meet you in the Medway. smile

m0ssy

Original Poster:

920 posts

221 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
CraigVmax said:
All the rivery people I know said going to town doesnt end up being fun.

Why not go upstream to the runnymede?

http://www.runnymedehotel.com/?gclid=CPmChtHbqKgCF...

or if not wanting to go so far then Hampton court, free overnight there.
Looks good, was contemplating the Windsor run again if London being out. Just fancied seeing some different scenery.

But that place in particular does look very nice smile

CraigVmax

12,248 posts

311 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
or you could do the booze cruise, boaters in kingston, the swan thames ditton, the albany finishing at hampton court.

m0ssy

Original Poster:

920 posts

221 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
MOTORVATOR said:
If you want to get close to city then Cadogan, Chiswick and Putney are about your options for a safe berth in the river. Other than that fill her right up and I'll meet you in the Medway. smile
Medway sounds good, and would be up for that if the tide times were a bit more friendly..... Tide will be running out of Teddington Lock around 0630 that day, fine for me, but perhaps not my mate and his wife who are 1.5hours away travelling up.

I guess mother nature waits for no man !

I will check out Cadogan, Chiswick and Putney though, see what their moorings are like...

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
I can see it being appropriate for all us boaters to organise a pistonheads meet at St Cats.

Wonder if there's anywhere for the motoring exotica to park round Tower bridge?

Daisy Duke

1,510 posts

230 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
MOTORVATOR said:
I can see it being appropriate for all us boaters to organise a pistonheads meet at St Cats.

Wonder if there's anywhere for the motoring exotica to park round Tower bridge?
You won't be able to park around the dock itself but possibly in front of the hotel as there's regularly some rented lambo getting it's engine revved there when there's a wedding on. Otherwise you might be able to park that end of Wapping High St, or do what the Maserati boys did once and try to follow us into our car park for an impromptu meet biggrin.

Del 203

12,728 posts

278 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
Daisy Duke said:
MOTORVATOR said:
I can see it being appropriate for all us boaters to organise a pistonheads meet at St Cats.

Wonder if there's anywhere for the motoring exotica to park round Tower bridge?
You won't be able to park around the dock itself but possibly in front of the hotel as there's regularly some rented lambo getting it's engine revved there when there's a wedding on. Otherwise you might be able to park that end of Wapping High St, or do what the Maserati boys did once and try to follow us into our car park for an impromptu meet biggrin.
wavey It's been too long biggrin




________________________________________________________________

& Hello Mr B wink

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
Del 203 said:
Daisy Duke said:
MOTORVATOR said:
I can see it being appropriate for all us boaters to organise a pistonheads meet at St Cats.

Wonder if there's anywhere for the motoring exotica to park round Tower bridge?
You won't be able to park around the dock itself but possibly in front of the hotel as there's regularly some rented lambo getting it's engine revved there when there's a wedding on. Otherwise you might be able to park that end of Wapping High St, or do what the Maserati boys did once and try to follow us into our car park for an impromptu meet biggrin.
wavey It's been too long biggrin




________________________________________________________________

& Hello Mr B wink
Feck orf it'll be a posh do and you won't be able to get in. biggrin

Del 203

12,728 posts

278 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
MOTORVATOR said:
Feck orf it'll be a posh do and you won't be able to get in. biggrin
shout HARK !!!


ETA:
I will be in the Angel about 20:00 if you want a pint...



Edited by Del 203 on Tuesday 19th April 18:54

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
Del 203 said:
MOTORVATOR said:
Feck orf it'll be a posh do and you won't be able to get in. biggrin
shout HARK !!!
Alright we'll both blag it. laugh

ETA won't make the Angel. Terrible case of man flu.

Edited by MOTORVATOR on Tuesday 19th April 19:32

Del 203

12,728 posts

278 months

Tuesday 19th April 2011
quotequote all
No worries it's on the dogs walk route wink