Boating in Tennessee

[MC1600]

Anyone familiar with Tennessee, I need some help...

The admiral and I are looking to possibly move to the Memphis or Nashville area. Obviously, one of the MAJOR contributing factors for me is the ability to continue boating (and maybe even step-up to the 35).

Just looking for any words of knowledge about what boating is like in either of these areas (Memphis or Nashville). Really not familiar with the area, and would appreciate any advice. I know I'm not going to have the kind of bluewater availability I have now in NC, but like I said, anything where I can still get some good weekend boating in and maybe step-up to a 35 without feeling like the biggest fish in the pond is kind of what I'm looking for.

Matt

 

[Southpaw II]

Going to get lots of opinions on this one....I'm in MS, but grew up in TN. You can have a lot of choices depending on how you like to boat. There happens to be a 450 mile river that can put you anywhere from the Gulf to the Great Lakes, to the Smokies. Anyway the choice is easier if you define how you boat; there are a myriad of settings; remote or drive up dockages with bars, restuarants, clubs, and motels. There are several beautiful, large, land locked lakes in TN, or you can position yourself on the Cumberland waterway near Nashville, with access to Land Between the Lakes and the Tennessee River.

If you go the Memphis route, I would suggest Bay Springs Marina located 40 miles south of the Tennessee River on the Tombigbee Waterway. This is about 1.5 hours from Memphis. If you go, you spend the weekend. I've docked 3 boats there myself. This is a beautiful, clean lake owned by the Corp of Engineers with no private housing on it. From there you can go to the Gulf (420 mi.) or anywhere via the Tennessee River. Obviously, I could go on and on.....

 

[tmhudson2]

You might check out this link, and click on the "Area Boating" button on the left side: http://www.musiccitypowersquadron.org/

If you'd like answers to specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Uplate]

for Nashville, there are only two choices close to town that are friendly to non trailered bigger boats. Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lake. Priest is landlocked and Old Hickory has access to the locks to the Cumberland River, you can go all the way to the gulf if your gas budget is high enough.

I have a slip on Priest as it is closer to my home and not as much crap floating along the channel as Old Hickory.

Tom, thats a great link you posted for TN lakes.

 

[Southpaw II]

Yes, excellent link. Keep in mind, MC1600, if you go to that 35 footer you're talking about, you can slip your boat in a much broader range of choices, and use it for the entire weekend. Check out Center Hill, Tims Ford, or even Green Turtle Bay at Land Between the Lakes. If you choose Memphis, check out the Pickwick area. There are 3-4 marinas in that area that a lot of people from Memphis use on the weekends. With that 35 footer, you will be one of the smaller fish in the pond.

 

[Pirate]

I live in Knoxville, but I once did a 'sea trial' on a boat out of Nashville. About 10 minutes out of the slip, I asked how long the canal to the water was and they laughed while explaining that this 100-150' wide tributary was IT.

As far as Memphis is concerned, you're looking at about a 1 hour commute to water suitable for rec boating.

 

[redneck joe]

southpaw - Tim's ford is beautiful - unfortunately no big slips avail at any marina and I've been calling for about a year...



Chattanooga has the TN River right in town.

I live in Manchester which is 1 hour south of Percy Priest, 40 minutes from Tims Ford (if you stay small boat to slip/trailer) or 20 minutes to Normandy (trailer only and your 26' would be king), and one hour from Nickajack Lake (TN river) which has a nice marina ( http://halesbarmarina.com/ ). From the marina at Nickajack it is a 40 mile run to downtown Chattanooga. We did that, tied up to city dock, and went and had a nice dinner before running back just a sundown - great, great trip.

I've been told that stretch of the TN river is the prettiest anywhere (by someone who travels between the Gulf and Knoxville)


Not sure if you landing spot is dependent on work but for choices if trailering - Manchester is a good spot - not really any good jobs here but good and cheap to live.

 

[chuck1]

Chattanooga has the TN River right in town.
From the marina at Nickajack it is a 40 mile run to downtown Chattanooga. We did that, tied up to city dock, and went and had a nice dinner before running back just a sundown - great, great trip.

I've been told that stretch of the TN river is the prettiest anywhere (by someone who travels between the Gulf and Knoxville)

I'll second that:thumbsup:. We've done it multiple times. Just gets better each time. I'd highly recommend the Big Easy Sea Food in Chattanooga.