thames river
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Thames River, ON Lat: 42° 19.168 Long: 082° 27.272 |
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Quick Reference:
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Important Numbers
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DISTANCES
* See Notes below |
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DESCRIPTION At the mouth of the Thames River is the village of Lighthouse Cove. This harbour however, has always been referred to as Thames River The nearest town is Tilbury, approximately 4 mi/6 km south. The village is a quiet little place of about 350 people and boasts several marinas. A neat thing about Thames River is that from here, you can navigate up the Thames River for 10 mi/16 km to the city of Chatham, ON. It can be quite a transition from open lakes to slipping along a quiet river! |
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APPROACHES As you make your approach, stand well off from shore as the water gets very skinny here. There is a bouyed channel into the harbour. Look for a R/W marker "T" from which you can set a course of 147o. This will bring you right down the channel and into the harbour. Note The Thames River is navigable inland for 10 mi/16 nm as far east as the city of Chatham. The river wends its way through rich farmland. There is no chart for this passage but river depths are approximately 12 feet from the river mouth to Chatham. There is a swing bridge at Prairie Siding. The Bridgemaster opens on demand. Call 519-351-3229 or VHF 68. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 0900-1800; Friday and Saturday 0900-2100. After hours, call 519-359-1956. Chatham has 4 bridges:,/br> Parry Bridge (21ft/6.5m) opens on demand 24 hours/day except 1130-1300 and 1500-1730 Lacroix Street (20 ft/6.2 m) fixed Third Street (25 ft/7.5 m) fixed Fifth Street (22 ft/6.7 m) fixed Call the Chatham Dockmaster at 519-436-3233 or VHF 68 to arrange openings. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Moyers Marina (519) 282-4388 Moyers is the former Radlins Marina noted on charts. New owners are working to upgrade the marina facilities. When you enter the river mouth, you will see the Lighthouse Inn on your starboard with its courtesy dock. It is a 2 storey building with tall flag poles that are easy to see. Moyers is just beyond the restaurant. There are 80 slips and space is available for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. There is power dockside but no water available. There are washrooms and showers available. There is a restaurant on-site. They have a swimming pool and grounds suitable for picnics. Cove Marina (519) 682-3841 VHF 68 Cove Marina is reached by way of a canal that takes you into a lagoon. The canal lies just beyond Moyers Marina, on your starboard. Enter the canal and follow it down to the third canal on your starboard. Turn into that canal and follow it to the 'Y' junction. Bear to port to enter the marina. Cove Marina has 220 slips with many available for transients. There is no fuel dock. There is a pumpout station. There is water and power available at the slips. There are facilities for engine and mechanical maintenance as well as fiberglass and woodworking repairs. They have haulout facilities. there are washrooms, showers and laundry facilities. A restaurant is on-site. Amenities also include a large club house, heated swimming pool, picnic and BBQ areas, and covered pavilions. There is also an on-site convenience store. Luken Marina (519) 682-2868 Luken Marina is located about .5 nm upriver. on the starboard side. There is no transient docking. However, it does have a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout station.They have a complete marine repair and maintenance facility with qualified mechanics to carry out engine, mechanical and electrical repairs. They have a haulout facility. Thames River Yacht Club TRYC is located between the Government Dock along the river and Moyers Marina. It is an I-LYA club and has some transient slips available. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Water and power are available at slips. There are washrooms and showers available in the club house as well picnic and BBQ areas. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Repairs can be carried out at either Cove Marina or Luken Marina. (See above) There are no grocery stores in Lighthouse Cove. The closest would be in Tilbury, approximately 6 mi/10 km south. There is a convenience store in the harbour. There are branches of several major banks in Tilbury, all with ATM machines. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES There are no medical facilities in Thames River. The nearest hospital is Chatham General Hospital (519-352-6400) located in Chatham, 18 mi/10 km east. The nearest pharmacy is Shoppers Drug Mart (519-682-2272) located in Tilbury, 6 mi/10 km south. There are 2 other pharmacies also in Tilbury. |
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PLACES TO EAT Lighthouse Inn Restaurant was opened in 1947 and has been a popular place to dine for over 1/2 century. Located at the mouth of the Thames River, it offers a varied menu accompanied by outstanding views. A relaxed Boathouse Pub completes the scene. TheDockside Restaurant is a casual dining spot located at Cove Marina. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT Thames River is a small village and slow pace and relaxing are the order of the day. This is a good place to break a cruise and just sit back and enjoy the easy pace. Chatham If you choose to make the 3-4 hour trip upriver, you will find yourself in Chatham, a small city with a variety of opportunities to reprovision or enjoy casual summer holidaying. There are lots of shops and restaurants to welcome you. Docking can be arranged at any of 3 municipal docks along the river. All have water and power. Some have washrooms available. All are within easy reach of the downtown shopping and restaurant area. As Thames River is part of Kent County this Thames River / Chatham-Kent tourism site will give you a idea of what's happening in the area. Return to Lake St. Clair Return to Home Page |
