Temporary Marina Slips FL, AL

[Freebird]

In light of recent developments (see thread on Barge Damage to Wilson Lock) I may have to rethink my trip home from NPR, FL to Tennessee.

FREEBIRD is currently docked at the seller's house, and she has to find a new home! The seller has another boat coming in.

Anybody know of anything other than high-dollar transient slips at marinas on the west coast of FL (north of Sarasota), the Panhandle, or in Alabama anywhere below Wilson Dam near Florence, AL?

 

[Genesis]

I have a friend of mine that usually has room for a transient in his "hurricane tie-up" (next to his COVERED slip) but someone's already got a boat in there. I'll talk with him and see what his plans are. When do you need to be out/in?

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Try Dog River in Mobile. They are the HATT dealer for the gulf area. Just moved HATT TRICK there pending trip north next spring. Seems like someone stacked the deck against me this year. ws

 

[Freebird]

Pooh-bear,

I'm still getting my ship together and don't have an exact departure date. Hopefully I'll know more this afternoon after getting the lowdown from my mechanic who's working on a sick 12V71N.

Regardless of what the mechanic finds, I have to get FREEBIRD off the seller's dock PDQ as he has a new boat coming in. He agreed to allow 30 days for me to move after purchase (today is acutally the 30th day!), but he said he would work with me a little longer given the circumstances.

Thanks for the reply, and I'll be in touch.

 

[Freebird]

Try Dog River in Mobile. They are the HATT dealer for the gulf area. Just moved HATT TRICK there pending trip north next spring. Seems like someone stacked the deck against me this year. ws

I'll certainly look into that depending on how long this damn dam is gonna' be broke. I know the feelin' of having the deck stacked against you. Feel like I'm strapped to the deck with my 80lb plow sittin' squarely on my chest!

All things considered, I would probably choose to be in the Panhandle someplace if rates are in line. It's not a bad trip down there by car, and I can still use my Southern accent!

 

[egaito]

All things considered, I would probably choose to be in the Panhandle someplace if rates are in line. It's not a bad trip down there by car, and I can still use my Southern accent!

Yea, but can you still get sweet tea?

 

[Freebird]

Yea, but can you still get sweet tea?

LOL, Yeah bubba, I think ucan! If not, I'll git me a pitcher and a teapot and brew my own!!!

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Hey BUBBA-- All them peckerwoods talk funny in L.A. too!! ( lower alabama )
ws

 

[Freebird]

Hey BUBBA-- All them peckerwoods talk funny in L.A. too!! ( lower alabama )
ws

Peckerwoods? Hey, them boys in LA don't talk funny, they're just a little disoriented cause if they try to move any further south, they'll git wet!!

Hey, we carry on a alot in TN as AL is a primary rival in the SEC (Go Vols). My favorite joke about AL football is: What do you call an AL football player with a goat under one arm, and a sheep under the other? BISEXUAL!!!

 

[yachtsmanbill]

YEP-- them good 'ol boys wear those rubber boots and stuff the goats hind feet in there with theirs!! YAHOOOOO or is that WEOOOO. GO BEARS. ( just mind the CLAWS ) ws

 

[Freebird]

We better quit before somebody gits there panties in a wad.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Righto Gubnah

 

[Liquid Asset]

Randy,

Slips are easy down here. Plus, there are a bunch of people in our Marina that own thier slip and have no boat. Give me a call, I can fix you up with some numbers for people. I tried to call you, but I could not get through on your cell phone.

 

[captainwjm]

Randy, if it were me, I'd bring the boat all the way to Florence Harbor, right at the base of Wilson. The city marina there is very nice and accomodating. Its also only about 3 hours from Kingston [by car], if you needed to get home for a while. Traffic is moving on the river through the auxiliary locks, but it is slow and backed up. However, there are no more helpful lockmasters in the country than in the Nashville District, and my experience has been that Wilson has one of the best. I'd bet that one you were at Florence, a local phone call to the lockmaster would get you a "courtsey call" letting you know when there was a lockage slot available.

Just checked their website and the que is pretty short; a recreational vessel is currently locking upstream. Like I said, come on.

 

[Freebird]

Randy, if it were me, I'd bring the boat all the way to Florence Harbor, right at the base of Wilson. The city marina there is very nice and accomodating. Its also only about 3 hours from Kingston [by car], if you needed to get home for a while. Traffic is moving on the river through the auxiliary locks, but it is slow and backed up. However, there are no more helpful lockmasters in the country than in the Nashville District, and my experience has been that Wilson has one of the best. I'd bet that one you were at Florence, a local phone call to the lockmaster would get you a "courtsey call" letting you know when there was a lockage slot available.

Just checked their website and the que is pretty short; a recreational vessel is currently locking upstream. Like I said, come on.

Hey Bubba,

You just made my day! I knew a Tennessee boy would come through (looked up your skirt on your profile). I've been trying to get more specific information on this through ACE, but no luck. When I saw how far barge traffic was backed up, I figured there would be no way a RV would stand a chance at getting through. Last time I checked, they wouldn't let one within a mile of the dam.

You're right about the lockmasters being helpful, for the most part. Unfortunately, I ran across one notable exception at Chickamauga a while back. I had the misfortune of showing up at the same time as a barge, and I was in a 32 Sea Ray Pachanga (topless). I radioed the guy upon approach, and he told me it would be 3 hours before I could lock upstream. It was hotter than hell and I asked if he could give me a call on the radio or cell when I could enter the chamber. I was going to find a shady spot to wait. His response was if I wasn't on the wall when the tow was heading up, it would be another 3 hours! I scaled the ladder and talked to this ole' boy in person. He was a real horse's ass, and refused to co-operate in any form or fashion. Should have reported him, but I didn't.

After hearing of this snafu, I have been thinking about leaving FREEBIRD in FL for the winter. I've gotten lots of help from Pat Bustle (Liquid Asset), and he's checking on dock space for me in his marina. I talked to another fellow in NPR and he is checking on the possibility of dock space within a rock's throw of where I am now in the same subdivision. Seems some folks there have just put in a 70' dock, and they don't have a boat!

However, now at least I know I have the option of coming home if dock space proves to be too pricey in FL. Thanks so much for the reply. I see you don't currently own a Hatteras. Like I told another ole' boy in the same position, I can fix that real fast with ole' NANCY CAY! Meanwhile, if you ever want a boat ride, you know who to call (800/251-9992). Thanks again.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Hey Bubba,

"He was a real horse's ass, and refused to co-operate in any form or fashion. Should have reported him, but I didn't."

Hey Bubba,

just wanted to tell ya that "horses ass" has been runnin that lock - Chickamaga - for a least 15 years! And he's never has been too fond of pleasure boaters. Amazing how little has changed. I should add that he has a few keen folk here on the east coast that are bridge tenders. Some guuvmnt workers have to earn a living (dang it). But thankfully, most are curtious.

Thank gawd for high span bridges.

Capt'n Bill

 

[Freebird]

Hey Bubba Bill,

That episode happened back in '88 to be exact. I remember cause I bought that Pachanga brand spankin' new! (T-454's and 70MPH, YEE HA!!!) You reckon that's still the same guy you obviously ran across? By the way, I don't remember stampin' your passport to allow you to run around in my backyard. What's a Carolina Beach Boy doin' on the wrong side of the mountains?