Gulfcoast John
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,147
- Reaction score
- 4
- C Dory Year
- 2010
- C Dory Model
- 255 Tomcat
- Vessel Name
- CAT 'O MINE
Recommended Fall River Cruises for Dale (Based on great proven rig storage options)
1 Okeechobee Waterway Rim Route Out and Back from Ft Myers Beach
Launch at higher tide at Salty Sams (Ft Myers Beach).
https://www.saltysamsmarina.com/
Challenging S shape path, follow/tip dockhand to avoid the big hole in the ramp. Ask to tie up at an empty slip while you take the rig three miles to Safe T Storage (charges monthly from move-in day); Uber back.
https://www.safetstorage.com/
Stay at least a few nights at Pink Shell Marina 5 star resort…free massive buffet breakfast, 4 hour beach bikes, SUP, kayaks, beach towels and lounges/umbrellas, three heated pools, free laundry. If you bring SIX other boats, the fee drops to $1.50/ft (no 40 ft min)...an incredible deal for a five star marina resort! CALL dockmaster Dave O’Connell, only at this site:
https://www.pinkshell.com/
Alternate easy Punta Rassa ramp, but longer Uber rides.
https://www.leegov.com/parks/Pages/FacilitySP.aspx?UrlSuffix=puntarassa
Some wind exposure on wide sections of lower river and the ‘miserable mile’ meandering through shallow mangroves at 6 MPH. Four easy locks with no valves (they open the gates six inches or so; going up can be turbulent) to get to Stuart. We like three big fenders per side; you never know which side you’ll be told to go to. LaBelle city docks are high and difficult, no showers, but on weekends there are no city employees to approve your Dockwa request so it might be free. Better marinas are across the river.
A private lock leading into Roland Martin Marina is often open, if not yell and wave your arms at the guy who has no VHF radio. The weather should be pleasant, no AC will be needed.
2 Upper Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Launch at Pickwick Landing State Park larger ramp after a night or two at the Lodge overlooking Pickwick Lock & Dam (you won’t be going through it). The waterfront restaurant has large inexpensive servings but slow waitstaff. On Google Maps satellite view, use the larger ‘Pickwick Landing State Park Boat Ramp’, not the small one. Some store their rigs in the grass lot across from the small paved ramp unofficial and not sanctioned but they apparently don’t fine or tow you; ask the marina manager for current policy. We strongly advise instead Pickwick Landing Boat Storage; secure and easy walk in the park from the marina with monthly fees from your check in date.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
After launch, stay at the marina for an early start into Yellow Creek eight miles south and re-set your plotter odometer since all river miles are in SM, now you are at SM 450. The first 27 miles (the Divide) is a straight rock-lined muddy ditch cut through hillsides that required moving more earth than the entire Panama Canal. Bay Springs Lake is clear water with lots of anchoring coves as well as Bay Springs Lake marina near Bay Springs L&D SM 412.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
In Sep-Oct-Nov 150 Looper boats will be heading south and all marinas may enforce max 2 day stays; call ahead. Coffeeville is the last lock, and there’s not much there or south of there until Mobile, with its very heavy dangerous industrial marine traffic and then Mobile Bay, which can get very rough. If you’re not racking up an official Loop track, we’d advise avoiding them both. Going back upriver is no big deal for a planing trailer boat, but plan your gas stops and ensure if a marina has only one gas pump that it’s not ‘the broken one.’ Ditto ALL of Bob’s observations. For relatively inexperienced trailer boaters our MUST HAVE advice would include:
-Any brand B+ (preferred) tx/rc AIS black box, all will work with your MFD via N2K backbone. You must radio the towboat 2 S bends away for ‘meeting instructions’ and know the towboat by name to do that. Only AIS (not radar) can provide that info.
-You and crew must be comfy with the ‘see you on the one’ or ‘two’ whistle signals to know to steer your boat to the RIGHT for all ‘one whistle’ situations (whether overtaking or meeting).
-Radar is optional, fog burns off and ATONS blend into the river, so don’t hit one. It can VERY EASILY happen at 25 MPH.
3 Ditto Landing (Huntsville, AL) to Lake Tellicico at the headwaters of the Tenn River
https://www.google.com/maps/place/D...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
-Good TC255 ramp and transient docking, safe free rig storage on site (roving security)
-See the Rocket Museum with kids
-BIG Locks with complex break-apart towboat loads ( ie it may take four hours for you to get through).
-Spend a few nights at Chattanooga to see the Incline Railway, historical sights on Lookout Mountain
We do NOT advise trailer boats without experience to try the lower portion of the Upper Mississippi (Grafton to Paducah). It was both very hairy and scary for us. YMMV!
Hope this is helpful in your Planning!
PM or call with any questions. We hope Leader Dale is inspired! We’ll be lucky if the trailer repairs are complete by Christmas.
John
1 Okeechobee Waterway Rim Route Out and Back from Ft Myers Beach
Launch at higher tide at Salty Sams (Ft Myers Beach).
https://www.saltysamsmarina.com/
Challenging S shape path, follow/tip dockhand to avoid the big hole in the ramp. Ask to tie up at an empty slip while you take the rig three miles to Safe T Storage (charges monthly from move-in day); Uber back.
https://www.safetstorage.com/
Stay at least a few nights at Pink Shell Marina 5 star resort…free massive buffet breakfast, 4 hour beach bikes, SUP, kayaks, beach towels and lounges/umbrellas, three heated pools, free laundry. If you bring SIX other boats, the fee drops to $1.50/ft (no 40 ft min)...an incredible deal for a five star marina resort! CALL dockmaster Dave O’Connell, only at this site:
https://www.pinkshell.com/
Alternate easy Punta Rassa ramp, but longer Uber rides.
https://www.leegov.com/parks/Pages/FacilitySP.aspx?UrlSuffix=puntarassa
Some wind exposure on wide sections of lower river and the ‘miserable mile’ meandering through shallow mangroves at 6 MPH. Four easy locks with no valves (they open the gates six inches or so; going up can be turbulent) to get to Stuart. We like three big fenders per side; you never know which side you’ll be told to go to. LaBelle city docks are high and difficult, no showers, but on weekends there are no city employees to approve your Dockwa request so it might be free. Better marinas are across the river.
A private lock leading into Roland Martin Marina is often open, if not yell and wave your arms at the guy who has no VHF radio. The weather should be pleasant, no AC will be needed.
2 Upper Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Launch at Pickwick Landing State Park larger ramp after a night or two at the Lodge overlooking Pickwick Lock & Dam (you won’t be going through it). The waterfront restaurant has large inexpensive servings but slow waitstaff. On Google Maps satellite view, use the larger ‘Pickwick Landing State Park Boat Ramp’, not the small one. Some store their rigs in the grass lot across from the small paved ramp unofficial and not sanctioned but they apparently don’t fine or tow you; ask the marina manager for current policy. We strongly advise instead Pickwick Landing Boat Storage; secure and easy walk in the park from the marina with monthly fees from your check in date.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
After launch, stay at the marina for an early start into Yellow Creek eight miles south and re-set your plotter odometer since all river miles are in SM, now you are at SM 450. The first 27 miles (the Divide) is a straight rock-lined muddy ditch cut through hillsides that required moving more earth than the entire Panama Canal. Bay Springs Lake is clear water with lots of anchoring coves as well as Bay Springs Lake marina near Bay Springs L&D SM 412.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
In Sep-Oct-Nov 150 Looper boats will be heading south and all marinas may enforce max 2 day stays; call ahead. Coffeeville is the last lock, and there’s not much there or south of there until Mobile, with its very heavy dangerous industrial marine traffic and then Mobile Bay, which can get very rough. If you’re not racking up an official Loop track, we’d advise avoiding them both. Going back upriver is no big deal for a planing trailer boat, but plan your gas stops and ensure if a marina has only one gas pump that it’s not ‘the broken one.’ Ditto ALL of Bob’s observations. For relatively inexperienced trailer boaters our MUST HAVE advice would include:
-Any brand B+ (preferred) tx/rc AIS black box, all will work with your MFD via N2K backbone. You must radio the towboat 2 S bends away for ‘meeting instructions’ and know the towboat by name to do that. Only AIS (not radar) can provide that info.
-You and crew must be comfy with the ‘see you on the one’ or ‘two’ whistle signals to know to steer your boat to the RIGHT for all ‘one whistle’ situations (whether overtaking or meeting).
-Radar is optional, fog burns off and ATONS blend into the river, so don’t hit one. It can VERY EASILY happen at 25 MPH.
3 Ditto Landing (Huntsville, AL) to Lake Tellicico at the headwaters of the Tenn River
https://www.google.com/maps/place/D...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
-Good TC255 ramp and transient docking, safe free rig storage on site (roving security)
-See the Rocket Museum with kids
-BIG Locks with complex break-apart towboat loads ( ie it may take four hours for you to get through).
-Spend a few nights at Chattanooga to see the Incline Railway, historical sights on Lookout Mountain
We do NOT advise trailer boats without experience to try the lower portion of the Upper Mississippi (Grafton to Paducah). It was both very hairy and scary for us. YMMV!
Hope this is helpful in your Planning!
PM or call with any questions. We hope Leader Dale is inspired! We’ll be lucky if the trailer repairs are complete by Christmas.
John