Cumberland River
- Thread starter colbysmith
- Start date
I suspect that the City of Nashville is not concerned about the minimal tourism by boat this time of year. Jim Gibson had made the reservations for 6 boats several months in advance--and there still was not room for us all. Fortunately there was a boat belonging to a local who lived on Old Hickory Lake and knew both Mike and Patrick Byrd. He voluntarily gave up his reservation so we would all fit on the dock! He apparently made the run down there on a regular basis during the summer from Old Hickory.
We were "hosted" at the Commodore YC by Bill E and his wife Sherry, who had a C Dory 25 at that time. Bill and Sherry put out a fantastic meal and fun evening for us there. Marie and I also visited Bill and Sherry in their high rise downtown Condo and shared a great dinner at a local jazz club within walking distance of the condo.
Looking at the City of Nashville web site for the marina, it's running is subbed out to "Hamilton Creek Marina" which is on Percy Priest Lake, whose offices are closed Sunday and Monday. My guess with the COVID 19 that activities there are even more restricted. The web site seems to suggest that reservations be made 2 months in advance..
colbysmith
Active member
Those folks must not do much travel by boat. I'm lucky if I can be somewhere in the same week as I planned... lol
I agree that making reservations any length of time ahead is difficult when cruising as most of us do. We virtually never make reservations even in the RV. One exception is big cities, and some state parks for the RV. Boat--places like S. Florida in the winter.
We never had reservations in the 4 years cruising the PNW.
We never had reservations in the 4 years cruising the PNW.
colbysmith
Active member
Yesterday was a pretty laid back day. I guess they all pretty much have been. Slept in yesterday at the Commodore Yacht Club and it was such a nice day and quaint marina we could have just stayed there another day. But by 11:30 we were back on our way down River. No tows but several fishing boats. Pulled into the Harpeth River and made our way to Pack Island. Both the boat ramps at entering, then again at the park several miles up River have small docks and toilets nearby so accessible locations to dump a porta potti. We anchored in 7’ of water near the end of Pack Island. Took the kayaks then around that island. Afterwards I found I could fit them both on the roof inflated. Don’t think I’d always want to carry them that way as they cover access to the hold railings and stick out beyond the back of the roof just enuf to be a head banger. But we have Cheatham Lock to go thru today and I don’t want to tow them thru. Suppose to be another nice day and I think we’ll Kayak some again later today. Calm and quiet night here with a few mosquitoes showing up at nightfall.
colbysmith
Active member
Back in Clarksville at the marina here tonight. Thought about anchoring in the Red River, but always nice to stay in a marina, especially with discounted slippage fees. (Boat US, and only $22.50 for the night.) Was able to slip-in in front of a downriver tow, right after an upriver tow. Still had to wait about an hour for the upriver tow to get in the locks. And it was a good thing the lock master and the tow captain first in line for the downriver locking allowed me to go thru, as there was another downriver tow closing in. The Cheatham Lock, or Lock A I believe, has been one of the nicer locks I've gone thru. Bollards are used, and they are at an easy height to catch from the C-Dory cockpit. Both times, going up and down, the ride was relatively calm. Going up, I went in with another yacht, and the lock master had us use the first and last bollards saying that would be the least amount of turbulence. Today, going down, I used the bollard closest to the downstream end again. However, looking behind into the middle of the lock, it didn't look any more turbulent there. There was a little more debris in the lock today. Also, while the main river has been mostly clear of debris and logs, the Harpeth River does have a bit more logs and limbs to watch out for.
Have to wonder what dunderhead was out on the main channel tonight as I was walking back from the shower. Heard a tow going by blow 5 toots on his horn.
We have noticed a number of Blue Heron along the river. Not as many as we see on the St. John's River. Also a few Bald Eagles. Seeing more turtles the last few days as well.
Have to wonder what dunderhead was out on the main channel tonight as I was walking back from the shower. Heard a tow going by blow 5 toots on his horn.
We have noticed a number of Blue Heron along the river. Not as many as we see on the St. John's River. Also a few Bald Eagles. Seeing more turtles the last few days as well.
colbysmith
Active member
Was suppose to get thunderstorms today, but ended up with just a few light showers along the way. Anchored in the Dover Island chute around 2:30 and had a passing thunderstorm around 3:30. Lots of fish jumping around here. I assume maybe Carp. And the birds are crazy loud. The old dock wall near the Yellow Creek that was completely abandoned when we stopped to eat lunch at last week had several tows and barges at it today. Lots of land activity going on there, and could see a number of cars and government bus. Curious what they are doing? We pulled into the Yellow Creek, going just beyond the bridge to anchor and have lunch. Had two upbound tows contact me on ch 13 today to ascertain which side I wanted to meet them on, as they were receiving my AIS. My standard answer, I’m just a 25’ pleasure craft and if it’s ok I’ll meet you on the one and will hold close to shore! River current seems to have slowed down just a bit. Farther upstream I was seeing a knot and a half.
colbysmith
Active member
Nah, I don’t think so. Both said thanks for the come back (on the radio). I think they appreciate knowing what my actions will be. I was about to make my call to them, but they beat me to it. Both times were coming into bends in the River. I’m sure they can see my data on their receivers also if they are looking, including my size. However running at 6kts is pretty much the speed they are running and it’s possible if they don’t see a size readout they may wonder if I’m a tow. In fact the last guy asked if I was towing. Usually I make the first contact so I’m thinking most figure from the readout I’m a smaller recreation boat. Colby
I have had multiple contacts from AIS and rarely did they have any idea of my size. I had a 300+ foot Research vessel offer to stand by and allow me to go through a turn north of Seymour Narrows, so I would have room to make the turn. I think I saw the red blush come through the speaker when I admitted to being 22 feet and that I wouldn't need much space and since they were coming down river on the flood, I would stand by and let them have first shot at the turn. :shock:
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
colbysmith
Active member
Last night was another peaceful and quiet night in the Dover Island chute. Some drizzle, after the heavier rain showers passed over. Dreary, drizzly, cloudy day today. Ain't covered cabin boats great? Even better when they have heaters! Picked up the speed part of the way today and ran on plane. At this point I have enough fuel left to run all the way back on plane, so doing a little fast and a little slow. When I get home it will be time to winterize and put the boat away for the season. I'll park it with an empty fuel tank, so ideally will load out with only about 15 gallons of fuel in the tank. I can pump that out and use in the pickup and Highlander.
Decided to slip into Prizer Point Marina this afternoon. Pretty nice place. Covered slips for $1/foot. While I've decided against any plans to put together a gathering for next September, this place would be a good consideration. It's also a very large KOA campground, with Heated pool, cabin rentals, bathroom and laundry facilities, etc.
Tomorrow we'll run to Lighthouse Landing Marina on the Kentucky Lake side of Land Between the Lakes, and then Monday late afternoon load out. Someday I'd like to go on up to Old Hickory Lake and maybe spend a night or two in Nashville. I really liked Clarksville's marina and think that would be an excellent location to launch out of then. Maybe even another good place to have a gathering, but not as centrally located for both Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. We've had a good time cruising along the Cumberland after launching out of Kentucky Lake Dam State Park. Next time we'll look at the Tennessee. The colors are getting there, but I"m thinking another week before they will be in their prime. Colby
Decided to slip into Prizer Point Marina this afternoon. Pretty nice place. Covered slips for $1/foot. While I've decided against any plans to put together a gathering for next September, this place would be a good consideration. It's also a very large KOA campground, with Heated pool, cabin rentals, bathroom and laundry facilities, etc.
Tomorrow we'll run to Lighthouse Landing Marina on the Kentucky Lake side of Land Between the Lakes, and then Monday late afternoon load out. Someday I'd like to go on up to Old Hickory Lake and maybe spend a night or two in Nashville. I really liked Clarksville's marina and think that would be an excellent location to launch out of then. Maybe even another good place to have a gathering, but not as centrally located for both Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. We've had a good time cruising along the Cumberland after launching out of Kentucky Lake Dam State Park. Next time we'll look at the Tennessee. The colors are getting there, but I"m thinking another week before they will be in their prime. Colby
Another for the upper Cumberland would be to launch where we did on the two rivers run, Granville (Wildwood) Marina, East of Old Hickory Lake, and run down and back. I felt that part of the country was more scenic than the lower part. Plus there was a nice secure place to park the rigs. We will probably go back there and go up river for a relatively short run. I know that you had some of the information, as you were initially considering coming on the trip.
colbysmith
Active member
I agree the upper part of the Cumberland is prettier. I forgot about that information Bob. You are right about the possibility of launching east of Old Hickory. That may be something I consider when ready to do some more sight seeing on the Cumberland. As we came back into this area of the lake, it's been a week, and the colors are starting to stand out more. One negative about Prizer Pt Marina, were the inconsiderate partiers on the houseboat behind us on the next dock over, playing their awful music until close to midnight. The marina does have a quiet policy, but apparently it wasn't inforced. No, I didn't go over and say anything to them as we were already in for the night, and no I didn't say anything to the marina staff`as this being a KOA campground as well, I'm sure they patrol it, and didn't care. My take with this in many places is to just remember it next time I decide to stop...
During this trip we did see quite a few Blue Herons, a few Bald Eagles, and a number of Pelicans, some black vultures, along with other birds I can't name. Today just a few miles before turning into the Barkley Canal I could see a shoal out in the distance that looked like it was covered in snow. As we got closer, and I pulled out the Binoculars, I could see it was covered with hundreds of Pelicans resting together. Another shoal right beside it had 3 Bald Eagles, and 2 Vultures (or some other large black bird) on it.
We're at Lighthouse Landing Marina tonight and did our part to help the local economy up at Patti's Settlement. Slip fees here at the Landing are .75/foot. Across the street is access to the toilets/showers and laundry. This marina is mostly sailboats, and there is probably only two other runabouts in here. If not for the drizzle and clouds, this marina is also known for it's sunsets across the water. Colby
During this trip we did see quite a few Blue Herons, a few Bald Eagles, and a number of Pelicans, some black vultures, along with other birds I can't name. Today just a few miles before turning into the Barkley Canal I could see a shoal out in the distance that looked like it was covered in snow. As we got closer, and I pulled out the Binoculars, I could see it was covered with hundreds of Pelicans resting together. Another shoal right beside it had 3 Bald Eagles, and 2 Vultures (or some other large black bird) on it.
We're at Lighthouse Landing Marina tonight and did our part to help the local economy up at Patti's Settlement. Slip fees here at the Landing are .75/foot. Across the street is access to the toilets/showers and laundry. This marina is mostly sailboats, and there is probably only two other runabouts in here. If not for the drizzle and clouds, this marina is also known for it's sunsets across the water. Colby
Colby those are "good Ole Boys". You were very wise not to complain about their music. Part of the "Country Scene"--repeated at many marinas along both of these river/lake systems... My friends son on Lake Pickwick and a couple of others rent a slip near their boats, and it is a "party barge" moored there--beer Fridge, Big Screen TV, great stereo system...not sure about the social distancing...
With the enclosed boat house/slips the sound echos. Might as well join the party and enjoy it. It might even be enlightening...
By the way, inconsiderate partiers are not just combined to houseboats in Kentucky or Tennessee. They are present in almost every corner of the US--and other places in the World. Just the music is different...
colbysmith
Active member
And I believe one of the reasons why the Meet in the Middle moved away from the Marina in Dubuque. Good Ole Boys or not, show a little more respect for those around.