Anyone going UP the Tenn-Tom this summer

[ron6785]

Planning to leave the texas gulf coast the first week in june and spend hurricane season somewhere in the Tenn river system anyone going or from that area?? Would be interested in places to stay visit Etc. We stay on the hook as much as possible but do plan to spend some time in marinas.

 

[holtcl]

Demopolis is good place to stop (first fuel stop). Less keen on Bobby's Fish camp (dollar per foot, no power available). Pirate's Cove is another marina. Midway Marina had good fuel prices last time we were through (last summer). Aqua Yacht Harbor at top of Tenn-Tom had good accommodations but not great fuel prices (again, last summer). If you turn to port entering the Tennessee, Pickwick State Park Marina is good, approx. 3 mi down stream. If you turn to stbd, first stop would be Florence, AL. or you can continue to Joe Wheeler State Park which is approx 20 mi and 2 dams above Florence. From there, Alred Marina at Guntersville has good accommodations but check around for fuel prices there locally. 20mi upstream, Goose Pond Marina has good accommodations and historically good fuel prices.

Will check our log book and get back with more details for things like anchorages - it's too early for this level of thinking

 

[Sparky1]

I made the trip up the Tenn-Tom summer before last and have a copy of "The Nitty Gritty On The Tenn-Tom" (or something to that effect) which shows available anchorages, marinas, and other points of interest. If you haven't made that run before, there just aren't that many obvious anchorages, so the book would come in handy. I'll loan you mine if you're interested.

As for staying in Tennessee during hurricane season, you'd be hard pressed to beat Hales Bar Marina on Nickajack Lake just above Nickajack Dam. That's where I keep my 58, and it's by far the prettiest stretch of the Tennessee River. "The Gorge" is a must see and runs from Hales Bar upstream to Chattanooga.

www.halesbarmarina.com

 

[captddis]

Quimbys is a must have guide for travelling the rivers. Lots of info the other guides don't have.

 

[Robby]

Planning to leave the texas gulf coast the first week in june and spend hurricane season somewhere in the Tenn river system anyone going or from that area?? Would be interested in places to stay visit Etc. We stay on the hook as much as possible but do plan to spend some time in marinas.

I grew up in NW Alabama on the Tennessee.Florance ,Muscle Shoals and Sheffield are good places to be.Florance Harbor is really nice.If you play golf theres a world class Trent Jones course right on the river.Goose Pond is great but pricy.Hales Bar is like he said georgious.Demoplis is nice but it is an old river town with not so much to do.A book you will want is "The Tennessee River CruiseGuide" by Fred Myers Theres also a TennTomm Cruisers Guide by the same fellow.Book No ISBN 0-9704962-3-0.If you like to fish Pickwick Lake is one of the best Smallmouth fisherys in the world.Up river The Decatur Marina is a little dated but nice and clean.Enjoy your summer.Let me know when you are coming thru Mobile.Bren and I would love to see your boat.Robby

 

[Sparky1]

Hopefully this will help.

 

[Nonchalant1]

We came down the Ten-Tom and did the Tennessee River to Chattanooga this winter and we're going back up to Columbus, MS from Carrabelle, FL in the next 2 weeks. Sparky (Freebird) is right that the last 40 miles from the Nickajack Lock to Chattanooga is a must see". It's really spectacular cruising country, and Chattanooga is a great place to stay (see the Aquarium right at the city docks for sure). Also, we enjoyed Joe Wheeler State Park Marina on the way to Chattanooga. A very nice dockage at a very pretty state park.

The "How Far" guide and others missed the nice anchorage at "Old Lock 1" less than a day up from Mobile. We enjoyed it. We have also enjoyed anchoring at Bates Lake, Bashi Creek, and Sumter Landing on the Ten-Tom. All of the above except Bates Lake have nice parks at the anchoraqge so you can dinghy to the boat ramp and see the park on shore (good because we have a dog).

At the top of the Ten-Tom and Pickwick Lake, we really liked Grand Harbor Marina instead of Aqua because you can get a slip just on the inside of their long dock on the river and see three states from your aft deck. However, there may be a lot of wave action from rude, dufus boaters in summer that run right through the no wake zone there leaving a big wake. It's OK in October and November when we have been there because of low boat traffic.

Up on Kentucky Lake, Green Turtle Bay is an excellent marina, and there's a great anchorage a half day South of Green Turtle Bay at Sugar Bay on Kentucky Lake. It's one of the nicest anchorages around there, but there are a hundred places you could anchor out on Kentucky Lake.

Have Fun,

Doug Shuman

 

[Sparky1]

You should check out the Tom Bevill visitor center just above the lock. It's a large antebellum home with many interesting exhibits. There is a steam powered, paddlewheel snag boat, the Montgomery, on display there as well. It's all free and well worth the time.

There are docks, but I've never come into them having only visited the center by car. The inlaws live not too far from there in Mississippi.

 

[ron6785]

Thanks to all for the information I'll be in touch with each of you that have information. Thanks again Ron

 

[ron6785]

Demopolis is good place to stop (first fuel stop). Less keen on Bobby's Fish camp (dollar per foot, no power available). Pirate's Cove is another marina. Midway Marina had good fuel prices last time we were through (last summer). Aqua Yacht Harbor at top of Tenn-Tom had good accommodations but not great fuel prices (again, last summer). If you turn to port entering the Tennessee, Pickwick State Park Marina is good, approx. 3 mi down stream. If you turn to stbd, first stop would be Florence, AL. or you can continue to Joe Wheeler State Park which is approx 20 mi and 2 dams above Florence. From there, Alred Marina at Guntersville has good accommodations but check around for fuel prices there locally. 20mi upstream, Goose Pond Marina has good accommodations and historically good fuel prices.

Will check our log book and get back with more details for things like anchorages - it's too early for this level of thinking

Thanks, will be in touch: Ron

 

[ron6785]

You should check out the Tom Bevill visitor center just above the lock. It's a large antebellum home with many interesting exhibits. There is a steam powered, paddlewheel snag boat, the Montgomery, on display there as well. It's all free and well worth the time.

There are docks, but I've never come into them having only visited the center by car. The inlaws live not too far from there in Mississippi.

Thanks, we'll be up that way for about 5 months so look forward to exploring. Ron

 

[ron6785]

I made the trip up the Tenn-Tom summer before last and have a copy of "The Nitty Gritty On The Tenn-Tom" (or something to that effect) which shows available anchorages, marinas, and other points of interest. If you haven't made that run before, there just aren't that many obvious anchorages, so the book would come in handy. I'll loan you mine if you're interested.

As for staying in Tennessee during hurricane season, you'd be hard pressed to beat Hales Bar Marina on Nickajack Lake just above Nickajack Dam. That's where I keep my 58, and it's by far the prettiest stretch of the Tennessee River. "The Gorge" is a must see and runs from Hales Bar upstream to Chattanooga.

www.halesbarmarina.com

Thanks, I would be interested will touch bases with you. Ron

 

[ron6785]

Demopolis is good place to stop (first fuel stop). Less keen on Bobby's Fish camp (dollar per foot, no power available). Pirate's Cove is another marina. Midway Marina had good fuel prices last time we were through (last summer). Aqua Yacht Harbor at top of Tenn-Tom had good accommodations but not great fuel prices (again, last summer). If you turn to port entering the Tennessee, Pickwick State Park Marina is good, approx. 3 mi down stream. If you turn to stbd, first stop would be Florence, AL. or you can continue to Joe Wheeler State Park which is approx 20 mi and 2 dams above Florence. From there, Alred Marina at Guntersville has good accommodations but check around for fuel prices there locally. 20mi upstream, Goose Pond Marina has good accommodations and historically good fuel prices.

Will check our log book and get back with more details for things like anchorages - it's too early for this level of thinking

Yea, plan to stop in Demopolis and Midway. Looking at Aqua Yacht in the fall waiting for all clear for the hurricane season. We prefer to stay on the hook because we're set up to, can't use the water maker so will have to dock to take on water,dump and provision. Not opposed to marinas but get more done to the boat when on the hook. That being said we do want to take in the historical opportunities in that part of the country. Thanks, Ron

 

[ron6785]

Demopolis is good place to stop (first fuel stop). Less keen on Bobby's Fish camp (dollar per foot, no power available). Pirate's Cove is another marina. Midway Marina had good fuel prices last time we were through (last summer). Aqua Yacht Harbor at top of Tenn-Tom had good accommodations but not great fuel prices (again, last summer). If you turn to port entering the Tennessee, Pickwick State Park Marina is good, approx. 3 mi down stream. If you turn to stbd, first stop would be Florence, AL. or you can continue to Joe Wheeler State Park which is approx 20 mi and 2 dams above Florence. From there, Alred Marina at Guntersville has good accommodations but check around for fuel prices there locally. 20mi upstream, Goose Pond Marina has good accommodations and historically good fuel prices.

Will check our log book and get back with more details for things like anchorages - it's too early for this level of thinking

Plan to stay in Demopolis. Since we will be in the TVA June thru October there will be time to visit several places. I understand Pickwick State Park Marina is going thru renovations and will not be available this summer. Aqua Yacht is on our list. Thanks for the info. Ron

 

[ron6785]

Quimbys is a must have guide for travelling the rivers. Lots of info the other guides don't have.

Thanks, yes we have the latest copy. Ron

 

[ron6785]

I grew up in NW Alabama on the Tennessee.Florance ,Muscle Shoals and Sheffield are good places to be.Florance Harbor is really nice.If you play golf theres a world class Trent Jones course right on the river.Goose Pond is great but pricy.Hales Bar is like he said georgious.Demoplis is nice but it is an old river town with not so much to do.A book you will want is "The Tennessee River CruiseGuide" by Fred Myers Theres also a TennTomm Cruisers Guide by the same fellow.Book No ISBN 0-9704962-3-0.If you like to fish Pickwick Lake is one of the best Smallmouth fisherys in the world.Up river The Decatur Marina is a little dated but nice and clean.Enjoy your summer.Let me know when you are coming thru Mobile.Bren and I would love to see your boat.Robby

Thanks Robby, will pick up the Tennessee River Cruise Guide. I'll contact you when we get close to Mobile, not sure if I'll hangout around Perdido Key for a while depends on the hurricanes. While I like to eat fish and do so regularily here in Port Aransas,the Sportfishing capital of Texas. I'll actually be towing a 17' bay boat this summer, however I'm not really into fishing although I go whenever the grandkids are here. I have lived around the water and owned two Sport Fishers in additions to bass boats ect. Go Figure. Thanks for the info. Ron

 

[ron6785]

Hopefully this will help.

Thanks so much for the info, very helpful. Ron

 

[ron6785]

We came down the Ten-Tom and did the Tennessee River to Chattanooga this winter and we're going back up to Columbus, MS from Carrabelle, FL in the next 2 weeks. Sparky (Freebird) is right that the last 40 miles from the Nickajack Lock to Chattanooga is a must see". It's really spectacular cruising country, and Chattanooga is a great place to stay (see the Aquarium right at the city docks for sure). Also, we enjoyed Joe Wheeler State Park Marina on the way to Chattanooga. A very nice dockage at a very pretty state park.

The "How Far" guide and others missed the nice anchorage at "Old Lock 1" less than a day up from Mobile. We enjoyed it. We have also enjoyed anchoring at Bates Lake, Bashi Creek, and Sumter Landing on the Ten-Tom. All of the above except Bates Lake have nice parks at the anchoraqge so you can dinghy to the boat ramp and see the park on shore (good because we have a dog).
Thanks, hadn't hear of "old lock 1" alway looking for the" River Less Traveled". Ron
At the top of the Ten-Tom and Pickwick Lake, we really liked Grand Harbor Marina instead of Aqua because you can get a slip just on the inside of their long dock on the river and see three states from your aft deck. However, there may be a lot of wave action from rude, dufus boaters in summer that run right through the no wake zone there leaving a big wake. It's OK in October and November when we have been there because of low boat traffic.

Up on Kentucky Lake, Green Turtle Bay is an excellent marina, and there's a great anchorage a half day South of Green Turtle Bay at Sugar Bay on Kentucky Lake. It's one of the nicest anchorages around there, but there are a hundred places you could anchor out on Kentucky Lake.

Have Fun,

Doug Shuman

Opps, Thanks for the information I cut into your thread above sorry, anyway I'm thinking we should stay on the hook during the middle of the summer and then marinas in the fall because of the crowds during main season. What are your thoughts having made the trip??? Ron

 

[Nonchalant1]

Thanks, we'll be up that way for about 5 months so look forward to exploring. Ron

The marina docks there are good. However, there's NOTHING to see or do except the faux mansion and the neat steam powered stump puller paddlewheeler.

Doug

 

[Nonchalant1]

Opps, Thanks for the information I cut into your thread above sorry, anyway I'm thinking we should stay on the hook during the middle of the summer and then marinas in the fall because of the crowds during main season. What are your thoughts having made the trip??? Ron

I'd agree with your thoughts on crowded marinas in-season. The anchorages will be busy on Friday & Saturday nights, but there are many of them and you can make your own in some places too.

Doug