Ohio through the Tenn-Tom to New Orleans trip help

[JayDT]

I need help figuring out a trip I am looking to take. A friend and myself are planning on taking my 27 foot Cabin Cruiser down the Ohio, into the Tenn-Tom through Mobile AL and across the Gulf to New Orleans.

I am not planning to take this trip until next year but I want to get the start on the trip planning so I am well prepared for the trip when it comes. I have researched the Great Loop and spent time going over navigation charts to get a feel for the waterways that I need to travel to get there.

However, the amount of charting that needs to get done to gather relative simple data is proving to be nearly overbearing. To begin the trip I would like to find out five important items:

1. The total mileage for the route from our launching site (Sandy Cove Marine located in Greenup KY) to the final destination (Wharf off Jackson Square in New Orlreans).

2. Total amount of locks that we will need to pass through along the trip.

3. Total refueling stops along the main route (and distance between them).

4. Places to eat (so we don't have to eat the entire time on the boat) along the route. Simple pull up and eat places along the rivers are ideal.

5. Best places to dock overnight (electric, fresh water replenishment, head disposal, showers, groceries, etc...)

I know there is a lot more that is needed to get the trip actually ready but these gives me a start to factor in total fuel consumption, plan for any extra fuel that we may need, packing of provisions and places where we can stop and most easily replenish them as well as where we can dock the boat overnight and get everything set to sail off the next day. I also want to be realistic on the timeline to make the trip. The plan is to take the boat down to New Orleans, then spend a few days in town before charting up the Mississippi about 40-50 miles and having some other friends of ours meet us there with the boat trailer so we can trailer the boat back home.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Ohio through the Tenn-Tom to New Orleans trip help

A planning resource I highly recommend is Quimby's Cruising Guide. It's available at some marinas or purchase it here: Quimby's Cruising Guide It is updated yearly and has details on marinas, facilities, waterside restaurants and mileage for your entire route. Of course, call and verify all information published. Marine businesses come and go as you're probably aware. You can download navigation charts in .PDF format for the entire route. Just Google the various waterways with "navigation charts".

If you haven't already done so, take at least one shakedown cruise of at least 200 miles at a weight representative of that planned for your proposed voyage. Fine tune cruise power settings and fuel consumption. Figure out where best to stow provisions and personal gear so that you have a "system" down before you go.

From my calculations here's a breakdown of mileage and locks:

Sandy Cove to mouth of Cumberland River- 587 miles & 8 locks
Cumberland River to Tennessee River- 34 miles & 1 lock
Tennessee River to Tenn-Tom- 190 miles & 1 lock
Tenn-Tom to Mobile- 470 miles & 13 locks
Mobile to New Orleans- 173 miles & 1 lock (Via Gulf Intracoastal. Via the Gulf will be approximately 90 miles farther)

That totals to 1,454 miles and 24 locks

I've cruised the Ohio River route you'll be taking. The biggest obstacle you face on that route is the 190 miles from Louisville to Evansville without reliable refueling facilities. There is Rocky Point Marina at Cannelton, Indiana that that has fuel sometimes. They've had it this season. Call ahead for sure.

One other piece of advice I can offer on the Ohio River route is after passing Smithland lock and dam just before joining the Cumberland River, DO NOT take the most direct course to the Cumberland River. You'll hit bottom with your running gear. Instead, go three miles to the downstream end of Cumberland Island and then turn up the Cumberland River.

Hopefully other boaters will offer advice on the other sections.

 

[JayDT]

Re: Ohio through the Tenn-Tom to New Orleans trip help

Thank you for the information it is extremely helpful! I do have a plan to run a test run and a shakedown in the months leading up to the trip. The first trip will run me through a 1 day 100 mile round trip going through 1 lock. The purpose of this trip is to soley run the vessel and keep check of the running of the engine and functioning of the systems. It will also get me acclimated to the lock procedures as I have yet to go through one.

The second run I plan on doing about 3-4 weeks before the trip. This one will take me on a 3 day round trip up the Ohio to Cinci than Louisville and back. This trip will be with full weight and running as I intend to run the trip while factoring in fuel consumption. This should give me a good 250+ miles on a round trip.

The information you provided will help me plan the runs and give me a good sense of the time table for the trip. Thanks again!

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Ohio through the Tenn-Tom to New Orleans trip help

Here's a very well-written article about locking by an experienced captain I know: Welcome to PortKY.com -- Locking Through

Something you must factor into your time planning is that one or more of the locks you transit will most likely be undergoing maintenance. That means delays and recreational pleasure boats, or "rec boats" in lock master parlance, have the lowest priority for lockage. A delay of 4-8 hours or more is a possibility. For example, a few years ago when i was cruising from Pittsburgh to Louisville, I arrived at the Meldahl lock above Cincinnati about 4:30 PM. The lockmaster said it was going to be at least four hours until I could lock through because one chamber was down for maintenance. I didn't want to run a gauntlet of waiting tows below the lock and dam in the dark so I went back upstream eight miles and spent the night in Augusta, Ky. The next morning, I got lucky and went right through with one of their work boats. In the best case, plan at least 30 minutes for each lock.

I see that your marina is very close to the Greenup lock and dam. Before you attempt your first lockage, tune your marine radio to channel 13 and just listen to get used to the jargon used by the towboat pilots and lockmasters. Most lockmasters' radio procedures are appalling compared to what I'm used to in my professional life. Many times they don't speak into the mic very closely and there is a lot of background noise and echoing. And they seem to mumble. By listening in before your first lock through, you'll be ahead of the game.

Let me know when you're headed to Louisville and I'll give the skinny on the local waterside eateries.