Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Hello new here and a new boat owner. Not a new boater as I was a coxswain for a few years in the Marines.

My wife and I are planning a fall color cruise-Chattanooga to Knoxville, with possibly an over night stop between the two or just crash in Knoxville before motoring back home the next day. It is about 100 miles by water with four (I think) locks between here and there.

Ideally we?d like to stay over night between the two at a bed and breakfast on the water.

Are there any suggestions on places to stay, eat, get fuel along the way? \

Thanks for any and all advice.

Red
 
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PBarrett

Seaman
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
60
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

You might want to check with the USACOE before you make plans. I read somewhere that one of the locks near Chattanooga was going to be closed for a while this fall.

PB
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Thanks, I'll check into that and see.
 
C

Chuck1a

Seaman
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Yes, the lock is closed I think until mid August. You can just launch above it it you want. We have made the trip numerous times. One of my favorite places to boat. It is a long... one day trip. What type of range do you get out your boat. Yes you stay at the Marriott in Knoxville just about the Marina. There is couple places to spend the night on Watts Bar Lake that would make a great half way stop. Let me know how I can help.
 
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Chuck1a

Seaman
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Chickamauga Lock info.

The Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled the closure of Chickamauga Lock for inspection and major maintenance repairs to the underwater components of the lock. The lock will be closed to navigation traffic from 6am on Tuesday, 20 July 2010 until 6 pm Monday, 16 August 2010.
There is no auxiliary lock available at this location. Additional information can be obtained from the Lockmaster at Chickamauga Lock at 423-875-6230.
Click to expand...
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Thanks Chuck! The trip isn't planned until late September/October time.
Doing some research now on some places to stay in order to make it not such a long trip.
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Thanks again man, some great info there.

Looking to make a little test run this weekend, was also looking for a date night destination via boat as well.

I ordered the book on the TN River as recommended in another thread, looking forward to getting/studying that as well.
 
C

Chuck1a

Seaman
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
56
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Cool. I got Jerry Hay's book today in the mail. I am going to do a short cruise this weekend south of Chick through Chatt and around that way, before I head back to work.
 
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Chuck1a

Seaman
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Keep an eye on your depth gauge. Since you are running down a fault line you will see some deep reading. They call parts of that section the grand canyon of the TN river. Neat ride. We stay at Hales Bar in the floating cabins and run up to Downtown Chat. from time to time. There is a ramp just above I24 that is easy to access from the exit on the east side of the river. Make sure you stay in the channel around Hales Bar there is a old railroad bed the will get you.
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

You reading my mind bro? I just got the trip planned to put in off HWY 58 below the lock and cruise to Hales Bar for lunch on Sunday.

I got some good humint from Jerry?s book on places to go and stay and some time coming up to study it and make some plans.

Depth gauge?LOL I got to get a new/better one. The one the wife bought me doesn?t work at speed as the boat goes faster than it reads, need to invest in a speed one.
 
C

Chuck1a

Seaman
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Are you planning on eating at the restaurant at Hales Bar? If so I hope they have improved in the last 2 years. Personally you would do better to run to downtown Chat. and dock for free. There is a couple great place within a block.
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

Yeah that was the idea lol.

We will hunt around and check it all out.
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

May take your advice, I called the Marina today and the young lady on the phone was less than helpful, far from knowing the basics for her job and did not make me want to burn the gas to go to their location.
 
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dbismyname

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
44
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

If I'm thinking of the right public docking there is a ton of places to eat within a block. Big restaraunt uptop right beside the park, then the North Chatt Cat right around the corner.<--best burger in chatt right there.
 
Red_BOFUS

Red_BOFUS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
190
Re: Chattanooga-Knoxville Cruise

I'll get you a trip report late Sunday evening or early Monday. Today was an awesome day, we got our boat art work back and some other items for it. My wife is really cool in diving into this adventure with me as she has been along side me for the past few weeks planning trips, decorating the cabin and such.

I am very happy and excited by our family ownership of a boat. I never dreamed it would pull us together as much as it has. I dig seeing my 2 and 3 year old helping me wash the boat and pick it up.

Our boat art, we both really enjoy 40/50's art and style, so it made sense.

BOFUS-ART-WORK.png
 
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