This is what we bought it for...

[Snug21]

Hi Tugnuts Gang,

This site has been very helpful as we’ve learned our boat. We’re now making plans where we could really benefit from the breadth of this community. We’re getting ready to hit the road for a cross-country odyssey and wanted to solicit your suggestions on must-see places to dunk our trailer and cruise the waters.

We’ll be departing from the mid-Atlantic area and heading generally SW towards Lake Powell and then San Diego. We’ll take our time towing up the west coast to the PNW with a stop on the Columbia River, and then returning via a northern route back to our home waters on the Maine coast. We’re prepared for this trip to stretch across more than one boating “season” so we’ve got some flexibility on timing (and therefore, route as well).

Would you please share your local knowledge, dreams and experiences with us? Where would you recommend we stop and what seasonal considerations should we keep in mind (ex: June Gloom in SD)? Your input would really be appreciated!

Thanks much,

Russ & Raelani aboard Snug

 

[S. Todd]

When heading back East over the Northern route there is no way you should miss the North Channel on the North side of Lake Huron. Arguably the best fresh water cruising in the world. July and August would be the warmest months and the preferred time. A stop at Hessel, Michigan, and cruising those islands and the sheltered water on the way would be perfect in a R21.

Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky and Tn would also be great places to visit if you are traveling in that area. The fresh water there makes for excellent swimming and a fairly long season being in the middle of the country. Lots and lots of safe anchorages and miles of undeveloped shoreline.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.
Todd

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Put in at Shellmound TVA Recreation Area just above Nickajack Dam on Nickajack Lake (Tennessee River impoundment) near Jasper, Tennessee. If you get there too late to start your cruise, there are two nice (and free!) T docks to tie up to overnight. Then cruise 40 miles upstream to the Chattanooga, Tennessee riverfront. On the way, you’ll cruise through the “Grand Canyon of Tennessee” that is a 20-mile gorge through which the Tennessee River flows.

Once at the Chattanooga riverfront, there is a world class (and I mean WORLD CLASS) fresh and salt water aquarium steps from your boat. There are many other places to see and thing to do besides the aquarium. There are no showers available at the riverfront marina, but there are a number of nearby hotels. After your visit, you can cruise back to Shellmound or rent a car and fetch your tow rig and take out in Chattanooga.

I just saw Todd’s post about Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake. A trip to one or both of those would combine well with the Chattanooga trip.

 

[j&lgray]

Such a great trip you have thought of. Even without a lot of planning, if you are open to opportunities as they happen, you will have a great trip. You have asked for so much information and you will get from this forum. We have been to most of the places you are thinking of. If you want the detail, the tips and the highlights, see our websites:

www.laurieann-ranger25.com [Pacific Northwest and Lake Powell]
www.andiamo-ranger29.com [The Great Loop]
www.captainjohngray.com [This has our trips in Trilogy, our Ranger 27] This site is still under construction as I am moving content from www.tribute-kadeykrogen39.com to this site.]

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Looks like you’re in for a great adventure. So many places to consider, here are a few more. Trent Severn Canal system in Ontario, Flaming Gorge in Northeast Utah, San Juan Islands in Northwest Washington, along with the BC Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound. This should get you started. All these places are in posts on our blog, see below and email, text or call me to discuss further.

Jim F

 

[Snug21]

We're long overdue for an update. A few scheduling conflicts meant our trip XC had to be expedited, but spending the season on Puget Sound was always the main event, and what a show it's been! We've cruised from Olympia to Patos Island, seen orcas and humpbacks, hiked and biked on over a dozen of the San Juans, run Deception Pass and navigated the locks into Lakes Union and Washington, and enjoyed museums and dining in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and Bellingham.

And wow, have we seen and met a bunch of Tugnuts! Our most recent experience reflected the kind of casual and comfortable camaraderie among RT owners: we had met Steve and Jean Z. in Poulsbo originally (where we were recipients of a jar of Steve's awesome pickles), and we ran into them a couple of weeks later where they invited us to join them aboard Craig and Sally's beautiful new R43. Great folks, great stories and a beautiful evening...it just doesn't get any better!

Thanks for the suggestions for the westbound journey. We're hoping a few of you can offer us some ideas of worthwhile places to launch as we head back east across the northern part of the US, especially between WA and Wisconsin...and we'll look forward to meeting more Tugnuts along the way!

Russ & Raelani aboard Snug

 

[b&jsrubiconii]

When you head north from San Diego, I personally would set aside a week or two IF possible to explore the California Delta (Sacramento and San Joaquin River area between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area). It's a complex waterway with tidal action and TONS of great places to hide out all alone "on the hook" and enjoy complete solitude. The Delta cannot be experienced in any other fashion than boating. If you go there, make sure to pick up some good charts as there are constantly shifting tides and shoals (and, if you've never been there, it's kinda easy to get lost 🙂 Lots of great side trips and fishing there as well. Good luck and safe travels!!

 

[bluestreak]

I live in Utah and I would strongly suggest you think long and hard about Lake Powell.
The entire state is in a multiyear severe drought and Powell is very low on water woth many launch ramps totally unusable or temporary ramps.
In addition, the lake is infested with AIS Aquatic Invasive Species; the quagga mussels.
These nasty "things" will attach to any hard surface, including water pasages in OB's and IB engines.
The babies are microscopic and you don't know your infected until later.

Not trying to discourage you as Powell has some spectacular scenery.

If you do boat there, you must decontaminate EVERYTHING that came in contact with the water,
Hull, trailer, any lines, anchor rode and the engine and bilges MUST be flushed.
Engines will be flushed with hot water.
That way you won't carry these pests to any other body of water.
Powell is contaminated and other lakes in Nevada are just as bad; Mojave, Mead and Havassu.
This is extremely serious!
Bill