Sailing to Space camp!

[tmoandj]

I want to take my son to Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama next fall! We're currently living on our boat in the pacific north west so it'll take us a while to get there but I'm looking for local knowledge. Can anyone recommend a place for us to sail to. We'd want to leave the boat for the week, find an inexpensive way of getting to Huntsville and, of course, an inexpensive place to stay while he's attending camp! Its a lot to ask I know!
Thanks for the advice!

[hariandro]

Yes sailing is the breathe of mariner and sailing to a space camp is our dream its preety good to have that journey..

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, hariandro.

[J Clark H356]

Are you trailering the boat east to somewhere on the Tennessee River and wanting a marina in Huntsville to stay while visiting or sailing all the way?

If you are sailing, you will sail thru the Panama Canal, then to Mobile, AL. There are multiple ways from the Panama Canal but along the west coast of Florida is a good trip and lots of nice places to stay. Ultimately you have to go to Mobile, AL and up the Tenn-Tom waterway to the Tennessee River at Pickwick, then go east on the Tennessee to Huntsville. There are bridges on the Tenn-Tom that limit you to 52 feet or you can step your mast at Turner Marine in Mobile. In the fall, there is generally not much flooding, so 52 would be a good planning height.

I have made the Tenn-Tom trip down twice and back once. Plan on 7 days from Mobile to the Tennessee and then a couple of days to Huntsville along the Tennessee River. Active Captain is the best source for marina's in Huntsville. In Huntsville you can rent a car to get around.

[J Clark H356]

After looking further at the Tennessee River portion, you will exit the Tenn-Tom north at mile 215 and turn east to Decatur, AL at mile 303. Looks like Decatur would be the best place to stop and keep the boat. It's about 20 miles from Decatur by car to the Space Camp. I don't see any closer Marina's in the Huntsville area on Active Captain but someone who lives near there on this forum might be able to give you more local iinformation.

[tmoandj]

Thanks, that is exactly the kind of local information I'm looking for! We'll be sailing down the West coast and through the Panama canal. I guess we'll have to look at timing for hurricane season too..

[J Clark H356]

If you want more information on West Florida, Northern Gulf or up the Tenn-Tom let me know. I have quite a bit that could be helpful. It would also be helpful to know what kind of boat and your mast height.