Going out onto the tidal Medway for the first time can be a bit nerve wracking for the first timer, Knowing how to work out tides and the times it takes to get from one stretch of the river to another. The first thing to take into consideration, Is the boat capable of such a trip? is it seaworthy? Is the engine man enough to cope with the tide? also has the boat enough lifejackets for all those onboard the craft? Has it got an anchor and warp/chain the right length for anchoring? does it have an echo sounder so you know what the depth of water is? Has the craft got a VHF ships radio and does anyone know how to operate it in an emergency , do you have a chart of the area where you will be cruising?There are so many things to consider before taking the step of wandering out into the tidal stretch of river/estuary. The best thing is to ask someone who has done it before and knows what they are doing, so many people go out and just take a chance which can be very dangerous indeed. Most clubs have someone or even take novices out so they can gain experience, once you have done it you have so much to do and places to explore. Elsewhere on this website you can find links for the tides and other information to help you. Following this there are phone numbers and places to stop off or get provisions as you venture down the creek to the much bigger stretch of river which ends up at Sheerness, where the Medway joins the river Thames and finally the SEA.

From leaving Allington lock

Elmhaven marina   01634 240489

Cuxton marina  01634 721941

Port medway  

Medway bridge marina  01634 843576

Rochester cruising club  01634 841350

Rochester pier public floating pontoon  01634 338106

Strood pier  01975 596596

Ship pier

Sun pier   01634 338106  

Medway yacht club  01634 718399

Chatham maritime marina  01634 899200

Hoo ness

Hoo marina

Gillingham marina  01634 283008

Queenborough yacht club  01795 663955  

There are some other public launching places which can be found on the site.

When motoring down or up the tidal creek, keep to the outside of the bends as to look for deeper water as the water swirling round the bends cuts away the silt etc and normally deeper water will be found along these parts of the water, the opposite is normally found on the inside of the bend.

Make sure  you know where you will be at certain times of the tide so you can be  sure you have enough water underneath you to stay afloat and also not to damage any part of the boat under the water. 

You will also find it difficult to come alongside the pontoons for mooring up, always come into the mooring against the tide and not with the tide behind you or you may lose control of the boat. take it easy, make sure no one jumps off until the boat has come to a halt and ask the person to make sure they take a warp (rope) which should be attached to the boat with them and make fast to a cleat or bollard. Always make fast the rear of the boat first if the tide is behind you as the front will make its own way in, if you tie the front first the water will push the boat round and could possibly end up causing damage to your boat and someone else's craft.

Get someone to show you how and where you can anchor the boat, its no good throwing out the anchor if when the tide goes out you are high and dry on the mud/rocks/piles whatever. always make sure there is enough water to stay afloat when the tide is low.            

More to be added on this page so keep watching.

If you want a tide table prediction for upto 6 days Free, or if you want more than 6 days for a modest price try the following link http://www.easytide.com