Has anyone boated from Louisville past Nashville

[motalot]

I am thinking about boating from Louisville to Cumberland Lake Area.

Has anyone taken this trip? How far up the Cumberland River can I boat and where do you think I should pull out?

I am thinking I can boat to Tompkinsville and pull out where the Ferry is.

I assume Evansville in one day and take my time through Barkley the next.

How long should it take to get to Nashville? Is there plenty of gas along the way?

What all do I need to plan for?

I think this would be a great boating trip.

[artcarney_agr]

I've made the trip on a houseboat from Moors Marina on Kentucky Lake down to Nashville - did it as a Spring Break trip when I was a kid. It took us one day to get to Clarksville, then another to Rock Harbor, and from there on to Old Hickory where we stayed for the rest of the week. I know that before the trip, we had to plan out our trip in regards to fuel - some places didn't have diesel - we actually arranged to have a truck come to a marina at a set time in order to fuel up. I'd definitely recommend doing some research and having a list of phone numbers for places along the way, just in case something does go wrong. A marine radio is also a good thing to have - used it to coordinate locking through with the lock master and talking to the marinas when making fuel stops.

Coming back was much faster - we did it in two days instead of three - the whole going with the current thing made a big difference!

That was a fun trip, and more like an adventure than anything, especially as a kid!

[motalot]

What kind of boat did you have? I figured I could make it from Louisville to Evansville in one day. I didn't think about the current going against me once I got on Barkley. Maybe I should put in Tompkiinsville and go to Louisville. Might be better for Gas.

It looks like a very winding trip from Nashville to Dover.

[artcarney_agr]

The boat was a 90' Summerset with twin diesels..we cruised at about 10 - 12 mph against the current, maybe a little more (no GPS back then). Going with the current, especially in downtown Nashville, we had to be faster than the current in order to steer. Keep in mind however that this was during the spring, April to be exact, and the river tends to be a little higher as well as the current.

[BigPoppy]

I do not know what the river is like at the Ferry at Tompkinsville this year with the drought and the low water but that ramp is not the best in the world and I would think twice about pulling my pontoon out of those hills and there are times when that current is tough I think celina might be a better option and with obey river dumping cold water and trout you could catch some excelent trout and stripe both.

I hope the Big man sees it clear for you to make the trip. and allows you to share a little of it with us! I have always wanted to do the Great Ohio loop around the state, but my boat just is not a cabin cruiser lol

Godspeed.
Dennis

[motalot]

I am gathering all the information I can. I forsee maybe this fall. However when it comes to current I am thinking about putting in at Celina and boating towards Louisville. I think I will save gas going to Louisville.

My next stop is to study maps mileage and estimate travel time.

I also need fuel piers thier location, operating hours and marinas for overnight stay.

[artcarney_agr]

When we came through Clarksville, it was dark and we couldn't find a marina...eventually we stopped and tied up for the night at an abandoned marina. It was kind of creepy...

Definitely plan ahead as much as possible!

[motalot]

Do you know the river miles?

[artcarney_agr]

No sir, I sure don't. Like I said, it's been years since I've made that trip! If I knew, I'd tell you, but I'd say there's been many changes in the marinas along the way since I went through there.

On a side note, on that trip I remember that we did meet a group of jet skis that were making the same trip. I always thought that would be fun, but after hearing how sore their backs were from riding 8 hrs a day, I think I'd pass on that! They had little trailers on their jet skis loaded with extra fuel and said that if it weren't for their careful planning and trailers, fuel stops would have been a major issue!

When are you going? We went in the spring and I remember how cool it was seeing all of the turkeys in the fields a strutting away! I'd think a trip in the fall during the peak of the leaves changing would be awesome!

[motalot]

I am thinking this fall. Boat is mechanically sound and ready.I have a few electrical issues and I am off. I haven't found any river mileage or fuel piers for the Cumberland River. Will vist the core soon.

I was on Lake Cumberland this weekend and went approx 90 miles used 51 gallons gas. Tank holds 65 gallons.

I need to assure fuel piers are 100 miles

[BigPoppy]

Hey Motalot, I was looking up some other stuff today for our trip this weekend to wolfcreek and thought you could use some of it. first here is the web site for the pdf files for corps maps of the cumberland. www.lrn.usace.army.mil/opn/CumbRiver/cumbmap.htm Then there was a guide book that was published in 2004 by Fred Myers (The Cumberland River Cruise Guide.) it list points of interest along with supply points and service stops I hope this helps some. Dennis

[MsgMills]

With the new GPS units they have information you can add, like fuel locations, Marina's and ramp locations. So a Good GPS system would be very helpful to you on your neat trip.

I downloaded the Google Earth Program and when inputting desired info into the categories I need for the area I'm researching. The Marina's, Fuel Locations, Hotels, Bridges, ramps etc. will be listed if I so choose when using this program. Plus you can use the Satellites overhead to get a visual of the location your wanting to travel to as well.

Good Luck on your trip and it sure does sound like fun...Enjoy yourselves... A once in a lifetime adventure for sure......