Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico

[Pirate999]

At 6'3" draft any issues that he might encounter?

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Pirate999

At 6'3" draft any issues that he might encounter?

Not really. Certainly on the TN Tom stay in the channels, but all these areas he's going in are shipping channels so easily handle 9' or more. Maintained depth on the TN River is 11' and in the area he's covering it's never that little. That's more the upper part of Lake Nickajack. So draft really not an issue.

Now once to the Gulf of Mexico and then the intracoastal it changes some. Still the 6'3" is ok but there is some shallowness after leaving Mobile.

[Capt Doug]

Scads of electronics, what a waste, just many more things to give you information that you should not have to worry about. Remember commercial traffic use these routes all the time, not like you are planning a trip up or down the amazon. If it is foggy, consider enjoying the place you are staying at. Pick more than one place to stop for the night, short day or long day. Think about all the planning that goes into a Nascar race. (turn left, turn left, don't hit anybody, turn left). fenders for the locks and docks and have a great trip. Remember...a schedule can do more damage to you and your boat than anything else.

[J Clark H356]

The Tenn-Tom has a number of places to stop but some legs there are limited places outside the channel and you can go for several miles. Electronics are very necessary because you can't always get where you are planning for the day. You may be lucky and hit the locks with no delay or you may have a day when you are delayed 4 hours. That happened to us going down last fall. Also, you can start out with no fog and it can come back with a vengeance. Having radar is a must for me and without it, it would mean very short distances each day. AIS is also a real added value as before getting into hairpin turns, you know if a tow is coming and how to plan for it. The route is commercial and we saw 9 feet or more the entire trip, but if you are forced out of the channel by a tow from lack of information, you could run aground or tear up a prop. It happens on snags and rocks outside the channel. In many parts it is very winding and narrow. It is a beautiful trip, but being knowledgeable with electronics can decrease your stress and make the trip more pleasurable.


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[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Capt Doug

Scads of electronics, what a waste, just many more things to give you information that you should not have to worry about. Remember commercial traffic use these routes all the time, not like you are planning a trip up or down the amazon. If it is foggy, consider enjoying the place you are staying at. Pick more than one place to stop for the night, short day or long day. Think about all the planning that goes into a Nascar race. (turn left, turn left, don't hit anybody, turn left). fenders for the locks and docks and have a great trip. Remember...a schedule can do more damage to you and your boat than anything else.

X2

It doesn't hurt to have electronics but it wasn't uncommon for the chart plotter to show us running outside the river. keep it between the bouys and you should be fine.

If the fog sets in, you are best haning out for an hour or two and it will burn off. Then you can set out.

Once you get the hang of dealing with the tows, they really aren't that bad. They deserve respect but not fear.

[CareKnot]

I'm in the market and there are numerous boat along the inland waterways, that are 1) worthy of consideration and 2) that I may have to fetch and deliver. So this is me, subscribing.