Anybody cruising the Ohio river this summer?

T

Ten Years Gone

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Mar 1, 2011
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Hi Gang,

I'm interested in attempting a round trip voyage this late summer/early fall down the mighty Ohio from Cincinnati to Louisville. This would most likely be a weekend event, and I'm trying to drum up interest in others who would like to join in. I have always been a lake boater, and therefore have a reasonable timidity about going it alone. I would love to hear from you guys who have done this trip and learn of your experiences. There is a fellow who lives nearby with a similar cruiser that wants to do this with me, but he has only made the trip as a passenger, not pilot. I would like to go with at least three boats, one of which has an experienced crew. The more boats the better, as I would like to meet as many of you good folks in person as possible!
 
I have done it a half dozen times. It's a piece of cake. In fact the first time was 4 days after I bought my first boat. No trouble locking through the dam. We would stay at Captain's Quarters. There used to be a public marina right down town but I don't think they have electric. It's in a strange part of town and not very well lit so I'd be Leary of overnighting there. You'll pass my club on the way, I'm at Mariner's Landing. Your trip is around 120 miles depending on where you launch from. It's about a 4 hour cruise but getting locked through can have you waiting for several hours. Just before you get to the dam off channel up Craig's Creek is Smuggler's cove. I'd recommend fueling there before you contact the Lock Master (channel 16 if I remember correctly) that way if you have a long float waiting you'll be fine on fuel. When you contact the LM advise him that you are a pleasure craft with the number of boats you are traveling with requesting to lock through. He'll then advise which wall of the lock to tie to. Remember to tie off to the floating moorings in the wall not the ladder and all members of your crew MUST BE IN PFD's while in the lock. I have always pointed the bow of my boatbup river while locking but that's just me. It just seems to ride better as the lock fills and empties. You'll want to have a few extendable poles to keep your boat off the wall as you rise/fall. Keep in mind that the elevation change is nearly 40 feet I believe and the lock wall are very very dirty. The locks are free for pleasure craft but remember they are there for the commercial traffic so barges will always get through first. I don't think they ever let you share a lock with a barge so be patient and as I said,,, fueled!! Once you are on the down river side of the Markland Dam pay attention to staying in the channel as the McAlpine Pool is not nearly as deep as the Markland. Get a Quimby's River Guide for all the gas stops and lock info. Good luck,,, it's a breeze and a beautiful cruise. When are you heading down??
 
Wow! Thank you, that was very helpful information!

The family that wants to go with me has mentioned early Sept. as they have a newborn and want the trip to be easier on the child. (Neither of us have onboard a/c.)
My biggest trepidation in this voyage is hitting underwater obstacles and being put out of commission while being so far from the tow vehicle.
I also just put a brand new engine in this thing, and haven't had the time to break it in properly.
So I am worried about running the pi$$ out of it for that many hours on plane without it having been exercised properly beforehand.

If we do this trip, I think we will launch from Lawrenceburg on a Saturday morning, make the trip to downtown L'ville. Catch the local attractions, food, music-family fun...then overnight on the boat. Breakfast on shore the following morning, then leaving to return home by Sunday early evening. There is another guy and gal that may go as well. They have a 26' bowrider and would most likely stay in a L'ville hotel. My hope is that they can keep that critter on plane yet run slow enough to not get out of our site. The two cruisers are only 24-26mph machines. :grin:

The wife and I are committed to this voyage, as we are frankly tired of making trips to the same three lakes in Indiana that offer nothing in the way of new sights, adventure, or challenge. She has suggested Dale Hollow or Cumberland, as we've heard many great things about these places; but I would rather drive the boat 8 hours, than the truck 10 hours! Plus we couldn't fit Cumberland in our schedules with just a two day weekend. Would take a three day minimum.

So, if any of this sounds reasonable to the rest of you folks from IN, OH, KY...please advise. I could really use the confidence (and camaraderie) of as many souls as possible to make this a safe and enjoyable trip!

P.S. If anyone wants to chime in with what they have found acceptable as their new engine (350 SBC) break-in procedure...please let me know! I have only four weekends to do it. :smt100
 
We have made this trip so many times, some with friends and their boats and sometimes by our selves. Used to stay at Captains Cove about 2 miles up river from louisville. We took Friday off to allow a little more time in louisville and once there we called a cab to go into town, great places to go to near the water front but now I think they may have some docking avaiable downtown. If your near Manhatton give us a call, - No Better Time - and stop in or see us on the water. PS Madison in the fall is very nice to see!
 
Just saw that your trailering to Lawrenceberg, so your not going to be that far from the Markland from there. As suggested, stop into Craig's Creek ( enter the channel on the Kentucky side just before the locks)for fuel or food, either Pier 99 or Smugglers is OK. Smugglers has a good Lunch menu. We stayed at Pier99 for 5 years and really liked the Markland area. I had dual engines and would use about 3/4 tank by the time we got to Louisville, typically running 2600 to 3200 rpm. You can download( Free) the Ohio river charts now from the Corp of Engineers site which will give you a lot of information your looking for.
 
Pretty sure it is legal, inland waterways are a no no but for some reason the CG Regs state that the Ohio and Muskegon are permitted. But, if you can pump out it's best for all of us.
 
That website states that is ILLEGAL and LEGAL on the same page. Someone told me that they can discharge on the river and I didn't think they could. My boat is Type III anyway but I'm just wondering.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346800454.449721.jpg


From ODNR
 
MSDs on Lake Erie, the Muskingum River, and the Ohio River

An MSD (Marine Sanitation Device) is a special kind of toilet for boats. Toilets that discharge raw sewage directly over the side are illegal in state as well as federal waters.
Type III MSDs are certified to a no-discharge standard. This is the only type that is allowed on Ohio's waters. Type III devices include recirculating and incinerating MSDs and holding tanks. Holding tanks are probably the most common kind of Type III MSD found on recreational boats. Sewage is stored in the holding tank until it can be pumped out to a reception facility on shore. Reception facilities (sometimes called pump out stations) are required by Coast Guard regulations. Their availability at marinas or other locations is largely a function of local boater demand. Most cruising guides and boating almanacs list the availability of pump out stations.


From the same page.

 
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Actually re-reading that it is extremely ambiguous. I asked a CG during a courtesy inspection and come to think of it he didn't know either. Same goes for a Hamilton County Sheriff.
 
That's what I thought too. I don't think anyone really knows. I guess if I were boating the Ohio, I'd just decide for myself and carry the page/link with me.
 
Made this journey an couple of times in my younger days. We did it in power boats though. Making it to L"ville at 50mph is a breeze. I agree with the other about stopping at craigs creek. They recently opened a new restaurant I believe a couple of years ago. You have to walk up the hill and across the road to get to it but, I think its worth it. Nice view of the river from inside or on patio on a nice day. We ate there several times last season. Good food at a reasonable price. Their alcohol prices are very good as well.
This is a simple journey. IF they can drive barges through there driving a pleasure boat through there should be easy. As the others stated, the river below the dam is entirely different than the river above. Pay attention to where you are and you will be fine.
 
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