April Tennessee and Cumberland River Cruise

[Water Bill]

I have been wanting to do a cruise down the Tennessee River and back up the Cumberland River. I am on track to get started on one this Saturday on the Tennessee River at Knoxville, TN. I plan on taking about 30 days to get to the Roaring River boat ramp on the Cumberland River near Gainesboro, TN. I will travel over 950 river miles on this trip.

My brother Tom will take my truck and trailer back home to Lake Keowee, SC after I launch in Knoxville and come back with them once I get to Gainesboro.

If any Tugnuts plan to be on these rivers in April let me know and I will keep and eye out for you and you can watch for me.

I will try and add some updates to this post as I make my way down and up these rivers.

Bill

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Bill, Sounds like a fun trip. Hopefully you’ll have great weather. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Karl

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I’ve cruised the length of both those rivers and several others in a 21’ Sea Ray cuddy. That experience makes my R27 seem like a cruise ship!

Beware that heavy spring rains flush a lot of debris into the lakes and rivers from tributary creeks this time of year. Also, Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River) and Lake Barkley (Cumberland River) are both still at winter pool which is five feet lower than summer pool. Stay in marked channels, especially on Lake Barkley where one can run aground right in the middle of that big wide lake by wandering outside the channel. The northern end of Kentucky Lake is not so bad, but does have some shallow spots outside the channel.

There are lots of nice anchorages in the bays on the Land Between the Lakes side of Kentucky Lake. Just go in them slowly and pay attention to the chart depth contours. Duncan Bay is a favorite of mine. If you decide to anchor in Lake Barkley bays, use extreme caution.

Are you aware of the Cordell Hull lock transit arrangements? What’s published on the chart is out-of-date. Here’s the current information (from Active Captain):

Commencing May 23, 2014 and continuing until further notice, lockages at the Cordell Hull L/D in the vicinity of Mile 313.5, will operate from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, daily, including weekends, by appointment only. All lockages must be scheduled by calling the Old Hickory L/D at 615-847-3281. Mariners must schedule their appointment for lockage, at least 48-hours in advance. Vessels must arrive at the lock so that their lockage can be completed prior to 2:00 pm. If a vessel's passage through the lock cannot be completed before close of business at 2:00 pm, the vessel will be required to wait until the start of the next shift at 9:00 am.

Looking forward to your updates!

 

[Water Bill]

I am on the river. Instead of updating this post I am going to try and do a daily blog and update it when I can get connected to the internet. You can go to this site if you want to follow along

https://mysterygirlcruises.wordpress.com

and you should be able to sign up for email alerts that will be sent out when ever I update the blog.

That’s it for now.

Bill

 

[avpilot]

We plan to cruise a portion of the Tennessee River, basically the Chatanooga-Knoxville portion, this fall. Thus, your blog will be so helpful. Our concern is where to store our truck and trailer near Knoxville. Anybody have a suggestion? Also, looking for suggestions regarding a launch site. Thanks in advance.

Kate and Gregg
Santolina, R25SC