Truck/Trailer Storage

[Park]

I just purchased a 22 Cruiser and plan to start the loop somewhere on the river system this fall (late Oct - early Nov). Most likely around Kentucky, Tennessee, or Alabama. I'm researching recommendations for where to store my truck/trailer. As I'm from Arizona I'll be trailering out to start the loop. If anyone has any recommendations, it would be appreciated. I'm also retired military, so if any installations in the area might be an option as well. Thanks so much.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Park, congratulations on finding your CDory. Have fun!

[ssobol]

I probably would look into self storage places that have RV/boat storage. They'd have spaces big enough for the trailer.

[thataway]

'With a late October/November you need to check to see if fuel docks are open. Some places start to close at the end of September or before. However many Loopers cannot enter the Gulf of Mexico until after November 1 because of insurance and hurricane restrictions. For the length of time you need, I would find a secure storage facility, where your boat and trailer are in a secure area. Sometimes storage operaters will take you back to the launch facility, sometimes you have to Uber.

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Park, great boat! The Swiss Army Knife of non-overwide trailer Pocket Yachts.

Don’t think you have to swallow the whole thing in one year (we’re in year nine). 2,000 miles is not a long way to trailer a CD 22, esp if you have two drivers making 700 miles a day at 65 MPH right through a thunderstorm and boaterhoming in state parks for $42/nite (make an adapter so your grey water goes into a bucket, not onto the pad…that’s considered rude in campgrounds).

Anyways, Military marinas not to miss include NAS Pensacola (we’ll give you a ride to the Museum of Naval Aviation and the PNS Lighthouse if we’re in town). For $25 you can watch a Blue Angels practice from the top of the Lighthouse most Tues/Wed until the end of Oct:

https://navalaviationmuseum.org/blue-angels-practice-schedule-2025/

Even better, catch the Blues Homecoming air show
https://www.visitpensacola.com/things-to-do/blue-angels/air-show/blue-angels-homecoming-airshow/

JAX NAS marina; the transient dock is exposed to the prevailing winds, ask for another if possible.

https://www.navymwrjacksonville.com/programs/b2702f91-380f-49de-8026-0c76fa923049

Manatee Marina, Patrick Space Base. Spend a day at NASA. Launch schedules are online, spectacular at night. Civilian Loopers can’t get closer than Titusville.

https://www.gopatrickfl.com/marina.html

We agree with Bob that late Oct may be cold and lonely and no fuel up there. If you insist on it, Pickwick Landing State Park will likely be beautiful with fall colors, has a great Lodge and Marina and boat ramp and secure rig storage in walking distance.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pickwick+Landing+Boat+Storage,LLC/@35.0489244,-88.2358303,8a,54.2y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNLaTbEJTuk988NBgBpb0A0Y6SJ3cDr34dTX9Nh!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNLaTbEJTuk988NBgBpb0A0Y6SJ3cDr34dTX9Nh%3Dw86-h105-k-no!7i720!8i882!4m7!3m6!1s0x887da8c70b8768e9:0x67ebc202597cebdb!8m2!3d35.0487996!4d-88.2357094!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1pp2wzw2f?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Our Trip Report is here:
https://findpenguins.com/ancient-isles/trip/down-the-tenn-tom-to-pns

The most difficult segment for ANY trailer boat is trying to cross the Gulf in winter, when you have an Arctic blast come down every 7 days or so; the Gulf takes three days after that to start to calm down, then the next one is on the way. Do it in April/May (like we did), no Arctic blasts, no hurricanes, no severe afternoon thunderstorms, no Looper Clot fighting for marina slips, and even South FL has very pleasant weather then.

You and yours need to invent and abide by your NO-GO Criteria. If you’re new to boating, that might take some learning by hard knocks. Ours is NOAA seas over two feet (meaning every hour you’ll meet a four-footer) OR wind over 20 MPH sustained OR gusts over 28 MPH for our TC255. Much above that will often get into Small Craft Advisory territory. I’ll let Colby or SOBELLE weigh in on their NO-GO for the CD22, I’ve never owned one.

Start watching the NOAA Gulf forecasts daily NOW (the one out of Tallahassee) and the single (never married) lonely weather buoy off Tampa for wave heights. Even one foot waves on the bow for hours is fatiguing…the boat won’t break, but the crew may be miserable.

If you’re open to Segment Looping, consider starting in JAX or Clearwater Beach. Unlike Steve, we’ve NEVER had any luck with the national storage chains, but we are six feet shorter than a tractor-trailer rig. The Cube and national chains do not want semi-trucks renting their space; no surprise. We find Neighbor.com to be very valuable; you pay for the first month the day you check in; then monthly…but still cheaper than the Big Players even when you check out earlier than the monthly date.

Consider launching in JAX NAS, then following the coast and ICW to Biscayne Bay. Get a pic at the lighthouse for your Calendar shot. Head down to Marathon to Marlin Bay if in your budget, or Banana Bay or Blackfin marinas if not. Then two weeks at Bahia Honda Key State Park (book now). Explore the Keys. Then aim up the coast to Clearwater Beach, and bail out as needed if the Gulf is angry for weeks on end.

Use the Rome2Rio app for public transportation worldwide.

IF AND ONLY IF the Gulf is in a mellow mood (unlikely in winter) then consider crossing the Armpit.

If not, consider taking out the boat at any ramp and hauling back to AZ.

PM me for phone number if I can help with your Plans.

John

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Park, great boat! The Swiss Army Knife of non-overwide trailer Pocket Yachts.

Don’t think you have to swallow the whole thing in one year (we’re in year nine). 2,000 miles is not a long way to trailer a CD 22, esp if you have two drivers making 700 miles a day at 65 MPH right through a thunderstorm and boaterhoming in state parks for $42/nite (make an adapter so your grey water goes into a bucket, not onto the pad…that’s considered rude in campgrounds).

Anyways, Military marinas not to miss include NAS Pensacola (we’ll give you a ride to the Museum of Naval Aviation and the PNS Lighthouse if we’re in town). For $25 you can watch a Blue Angels practice from the top of the Lighthouse most Tues/Wed until the end of Oct:

https://navalaviationmuseum.org/blue-angels-practice-schedule-2025/

Even better, catch the Blues Homecoming air show
https://www.visitpensacola.com/things-to-do/blue-angels/air-show/blue-angels-homecoming-airshow/

JAX NAS marina; the transient dock is exposed to the prevailing winds, ask for another if possible.

https://www.navymwrjacksonville.com/programs/b2702f91-380f-49de-8026-0c76fa923049

Manatee Marina, Patrick Space Base. Spend a day at NASA. Launch schedules are online, spectacular at night. Civilian Loopers can’t get closer than Titusville.

https://www.gopatrickfl.com/marina.html

We agree with Bob that late Oct may be cold and lonely and no fuel up there. If you insist on it, Pickwick Landing State Park will likely be beautiful with fall colors, has a great Lodge and Marina and boat ramp and secure rig storage in walking distance.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pickwick+Landing+Boat+Storage,LLC/@35.0489244,-88.2358303,8a,54.2y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNLaTbEJTuk988NBgBpb0A0Y6SJ3cDr34dTX9Nh!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNLaTbEJTuk988NBgBpb0A0Y6SJ3cDr34dTX9Nh%3Dw86-h105-k-no!7i720!8i882!4m7!3m6!1s0x887da8c70b8768e9:0x67ebc202597cebdb!8m2!3d35.0487996!4d-88.2357094!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1pp2wzw2f?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Our Trip Report is here:
https://findpenguins.com/ancient-isles/trip/down-the-tenn-tom-to-pns

The most difficult segment for ANY trailer boat is trying to cross the Gulf in winter, when you have an Arctic blast come down every 7 days or so; the Gulf takes three days after that to start to calm down, then the next one is on the way. Do it in April/May (like we did), no Arctic blasts, no hurricanes, no severe afternoon thunderstorms, no Looper Clot fighting for marina slips, and even South FL has very pleasant weather then.

You and yours need to invent and abide by your NO-GO Criteria. If you’re new to boating, that might take some learning by hard knocks. Ours is NOAA seas over two feet (meaning every hour you’ll meet a four-footer) OR wind over 20 MPH sustained OR gusts over 28 MPH for our TC255. Much above that will often get into Small Craft Advisory territory. I’ll let Colby or SOBELLE weigh in on their NO-GO for the CD22, I’ve never owned one.

Start watching the NOAA Gulf forecasts daily NOW (the one out of Tallahassee) and the single (never married) lonely weather buoy off Tampa for wave heights. Even one foot waves on the bow for hours is fatiguing…the boat won’t break, but the crew may be miserable.

If you’re open to Segment Looping, consider starting in JAX or Clearwater Beach. Unlike Steve, we’ve NEVER had any luck with the national storage chains, but we are six feet shorter than a tractor-trailer rig. The Cube and national chains do not want semi-trucks renting their space; no surprise. We find Neighbor.com to be very valuable; you pay for the first month the day you check in; then monthly…but still cheaper than the Big Players even when you check out earlier than the monthly date.

Consider launching in JAX NAS, then following the coast and ICW to Biscayne Bay. Get a pic at the lighthouse for your Calendar shot. Head down to Marathon to Marlin Bay if in your budget, or Banana Bay or Blackfin marinas if not. Then two weeks at Bahia Honda Key State Park (book now). Explore the Keys. Then aim up the coast to Clearwater Beach, and bail out as needed if the Gulf is angry for weeks on end.

Use the Rome2Rio app for public transportation worldwide.

IF AND ONLY IF the Gulf is in a mellow mood (unlikely in winter) then consider crossing the Armpit.

If not, consider taking out the boat at any ramp and hauling back to AZ.

PM me for phone number if I can help with your Plans.

John