Ohio River (Cincinnati)

C

Chugbug

New Member
Jul 29, 2011
6
Cincinnati OH
Boat Info
1989 sun dancer 220 DA
Engines
Mercruiser 5.7 260 hp
I plan on taking the 220 DA out on the ohio maybe this month or next. I've never been on the river before, what would you recommend I do as a first time there? I plan on getting Ohio's DNR and boating regulation book to study up on. Do any of you cruise up and down the river and stop in the marinas to listen at local bands etc? What other activities is there to do in the Cincinnati area with a boat?
 
East of the city you have Four Seasons on the Ohio side. They are off channel and have transient docks with good food and live music. On the Kentucky side is Riverside Fore, and Manhattan Harbour, RSF is on channel with food and music while MH is off channel with food and music (I think). not much to speak of down town except for Hooter's and the Beer Cellar but I wouldn't recommend docking there unless you can get on the inside or your boat will most assuredly take a pounding. Further west of the City on the Ky side is the Ludlow Bromely Yacht Club.. Outdoor dining so so food. heading west on the Ohio side is Drew's on the River. Indoor/outdoor dining with live music. Then there is the Cabana On the River on the Ohio side but they don't have docks. My marina is next to the Cabana and we offer transient docking for the bar but we are not affiliated with the Cabana so be sure to ask someone where to dock (Channel 71). That's about it until you get to Lawrenceburg Indiana where you'll have Riverwatch with docks and food plus you can dock there and take a shuttle to the Hollywood Casino.
The east side of the city bites,, too many boats, too many idiots, too many water cops and the river is choppy and narrow. We ALWAYS head west from our marina which is actually about 14 river miles west of downtown. The river gets wide down our way and it is much nicer. Cincinnati is neat to see from the water though especially at night
 
Thanks for the information! Thats a big big help. Where would you recommend launching the boat at? I live just north of Cincinnati.
 
dpvandy has provided you with great information. I agree on all his suggestions. I would add that Manhattan has done a great job over the last couple years and is a great place to stop.

One word of caution if you haven't boated the river before: BARGES!! Keep a look out. They can sneak up on you. They are silent until you're near the tug. And I would avoid cruising at night if your first time. They are nearly invisible until you know what your looking for and the last thing you want to see is a 40 foot wall of steel closing in on you. Stay out of their path in case you have engine trouble . . . they won't be able to stop and watch for the trailing wake that is churned up well aft of the tug. Sometimes they can send some huge rollers. Also, if we have had a storm along the river watch for debris. Its been looking really nice all summer with the lack of rain since spring but if the level rises from rain, it will wash debris.

If I was lauching on the Ohio side, the best spot in my opinion is Schmidt Fields.

http://cincyrec.org/search/facility.aspx?id=167

Its East of downtown before you get to Delta Ave.
 
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are there any good ramps on the Ky side near Newport ??
 
I am not sure if Manhattan allows transient launches but it might be worth a call. They have a nice ramp at the marina. The only one I know of is at Frederick's Landing which is actually on the Licking River off the AA but North of 275. Its been 4 years since I've been there. They use to have a fee. Problem was it seemed to get muddy and shallow if not dredged. If its dredged its not bad but I wouldn't take a big boat there. Your 240 might be close to the bigger size. Mostly runabouts and finishing launch there. Not aware of any others.
 
This is a little late but having trailered to Manhattan several time you will not be disapointed. Ramp is steep but you should have no problems. Contact Capt. Dan Henson, Harbour Master before going, he is great and will work with you. The only bad times for docks is the fireworks, call well ahead if thats your timing.

By now you most likely visited the Ohio River and hopefully had a good time, there is a lot to see or do like anchoring out for the Reds games or River Bend concerts.

We travel with our 270 all over the Midwest and enjoy the freedoms of trailering, Great Lakes one week or doing Lake Cumberland the nesxt week.
 
I boat out of Craigs Creek down by the Markland dam, I am hearing that Manhatton Harbor is done, can someone confirm what is going on there, it was my personal favorite in the cincy area to visit.
 
I am at Manhatton now but I'm moving out as of today. Several things made my decision easy, one - I'm pushing mud the moment I'm trying to leave my slip and I've hit bottom trying to entry the harbour several times now. The docks have lost the fresh water many times now and it was out yesterday again:smt013 I payed last fall full amount and expected to be able to use the Pool and dine at the Reef but that was closed by the Bank who took it over. The final blow was that far too many rumors have surfaced regarding the Bank closing the place if a buyer does not come along by fall. I'm not pleased with the lack of information and if it does close then there will be a huge mess of boaters chasing all over to find a dock for 2013. I decided to pull the trigger and take the loss of $1200.00 to move:smt021.
 
Thanks, your reply while a little depressing was fact instead of rumor and that was what I was hoping for.
 
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