Helpful Hints and Tips
Thanks to the input on previous years from club members, as well as experiences culled from our own cruising, we have a very helpful page of hints and tips. If you have any other tips, please let us know, and we'lll be sure to circulate them. Some of these are more important than others, and are in a large print to bring them to your attention. One important tip is:
Don't forget your sun cream and any medications that you think you might need along the way. There is nothing better than sunburn or an irritating minor illness to spoil a holiday.
VHF Radio
There are two listening channels for general use, 10 and 6. You should use these only when necessary, and only if you or someone else on board has a current radio licence for UK radio bandwidths, and NEVER for chit chat. If you are travelling in a group it is a good idea to swap mobile phone numbers before you leave, so any general chat can go over the phone - where it's also more private!
Do not forget that every boat on the Thames can potentially hear your conversation!
It is not necessary to broadcast at full wattage. If someone is above of below you by too many locks, they won't get your message no matter how loud it is, so please don't boost your set and deafen other radio users.
The emergency channel is 16, and whenever possible you should tune your radio to this channel, on a dual watch if you are using 6 or 10 to keep in touch with your group. As well as being the channel for distress calls, you will sometimes find useful information about problems in various reaches which have just come to the attention of the Environment Agency. DO NOT TRANSMIT ON 16 UNLESS IT IS A REAL EMERGENCY.
Every year there is at least one case of a small child playing with the radio and transmitting babble, often on channel 16. This is a life or death issue, your child could inadvertantly cause someone to die. It is never advisable to leave a small child alone on a boat, but it is equally impossible to keep your eyes on them at all times. If they are playing in a cabin where there is a radio you are best advised to remove the handset from the radio or ensure that it is locked away.
| * | If
you are travelling in a group it's an idea to ask the first boat
arriving at your overnight mooring to keep a listening watch until all
boats are safely moored. This will enable any late arrival not
sure of your mooring to be guided safely in. |
| * | Why
not paint the heads of your mooring stakes with some highly visible
paint eg: red, yellow, etc. This makes them easy to spot on the
bankside, and helps prevent pedestrians tripping over them. White
plastic cups work just as well unless it gets really windy. Also,
if you are rafted two or three boats together, it is much easier for a
skipper to order the release of the `red stake' ropes - as well as to
have eventual claim to them. It may even prevent your leaving them
behind or losing them in the long grass. The same applies to your
mallet - why not put the name of your boat on the handle and paint the
head the same colour as your stakes. |
| * | At
some moorings it can be difficult for everyone to moor alongside, and
banks are not always straight lines, with the consequent difficulties of
getting ashore. If your boat can accommodate it, why not carry a
short ladder of plank on your upper deck? This will facilitate
your boarding and disembarkation. |
| * | There
may be times when you end up mooring on a bankside which has prickly
bushes, tall weeds, grass, etc. Pop your secateurs into a locker
as they may come in handy for clearing a gangway onto your boat. |
There are a
few essentials that you will need to bring, for reasons that will become
obvious. We have tried to compile the definitive list, but you can
guarantee we haven’t thought of everything. We highly recommend
keeping a pen and paper to hand at all times between now and the cruise so
you can write things down that we may have forgotten.
| * | Mooring spikes and mallet |
| * | Extra lines for shore lines, to
replace lost lines, etc. |
| * | Anchor – and it needs to be
ready to use. Make sure the chain is not snagged and an anchor
buoy with line is ready to attach |
| * | Pens and paper – to make notes
en-route |
| * | Stout pair of walking shoes (not
everywhere is on a convenient path or roadway) |
| * | A well appointed first aid kit –
it’s proved an idea in the past to include something to deal with
bites and stings as well as Alka Seltzers. Every year we say there
will be no incidents, but there always are. An ounce of prevention
is all well and good, but a box of dressings and a touch of antiseptic
go a long way. |
| * | Insect repellent |
| * | Any prescribed medication that you
may require |
| * | YOUR CRUISE PACK! This should
include a good river map with bridge heights and lock sizes clearly
marked – we can recommend Stanford’s map of the River Thames
Lechlade to Hammersmith - and any charts or books that you are going to
need. It's worth buying two of everything, and keeping one copy of
board and one at home if you regularly cruise the river. That way
you can make your plans at home and just carry your itinerary. Of
course, if you've printed off a copy of The Up River Angel, all you need
is a map to go with it! |
| * | Waterproofs - I don't care what the
weather forecast says, this is England. |
| * | A good book - in case you get laid
up somewhere. |
| * | A spare set of rough clothes for
that one time when you manage to step off the edge of the deck into the
wet stuff. We tend to carry fleecy tops and sweat pants as well as
a spare pair of deck shoes and some thermal socks. It can get very
cold in The Thames, and you'll be shivering by the time they pull you
out. In previous years it has been the case that others have been
grateful for these supplies too. |
| * | A blanket - this has many uses, to
keep people in shock warm or as a picnic rug. |
| * | Lifejackets - ok, so you think you
can swim just fine, even on a pitch black night when you don't know
where you are. But can your guests or crew? |
| * | A sharp knife with a blade large
enough to cut ropes at a swipe - essential if you get hung up in a lock.
It could well save your boat. |
| * | A set of dry clothes, taped
securely into a polythene bag and carefully stowed in a locker for when
everything on the boat gets wet! is advisable to have these as well as a set of warm, scruffy clothes, as when it rains you could need a set of smart, dry clothes to go into a pub or restaurant. |
| * | Modern weather stations are a great
help to boaters, giving you an idea of trends and fronts. But if
you don't run to technology, Nauticalia do a small brass disc which is
an old fashioned weather forecaster. It comes with complete
instructions, and is often more accurate than the expensive gadget
pinned to the cabin wall which has been temperamental on more than one
occasion! |
| * | Remember your guests - if you have
invited someone to join you, make sure you have cutlery, crockery, extra
chairs, bedding, etc. for them. |
| * | Rubbish bags. It is no longer
acceptable to throw anything overboard, even if you think it might be
duck food or biodegradable. The EA won't complain about throwing
bread to the Swans, but make sure it isn't your left over bacon and
eggs. Most locks have rubbish disposal. |
And finally: DON'T FORGET TO BRING A TORCH WITH SPARE BATTERIES!!!
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