GL: Goosepond Marina Tennessee River mile 378

[Louis Letson]

Goosepond Marina channel is at Tennessee River mile 378. Pay attention: it
is not at mile 377 which is North Sauty Creek. If you want to go to The
Docks @ Goosepond restaurant, you may take the North Sauty Channel but depth
may be a bit less than the marina channel.
 
The Goosepond channel has been dredged in recent years and should not be a
problem for most cruising power boats. They try to keep the depth to 7 feet.
 In July I brought a 58' Californian into Goosepond Marina without any
problem. (The owner told me that the boat had a draft of 5.5 feet). Depth
sounders sometimes give erroneous readings due to weeds that grow in the
water but during the last few weeks I have seen a lot of transient boaters
go in and out the channel without problem. This includes a few sailboats up
to about 35 feet but mostly trawlers varying from 25 to 45 feet and a few
boats up to 60 feet or more. (I have seen a few boats > 70 feet)A good
friend just came into Goosepond with his Gulfstar 44 and other fairly deep
draft boats such as Krogens etc are common.
 
Stay to the middle of the channel and slow down.
 
Goosepond added some transient slips during the past year and can
accommodate probably 25 or more transients at any given time. The overnight
rate is max of $25 for boats over 40 feet (I think) with less for smaller
boats. This includes power, water, pumpout. (The dock crew appreciate tips)
Fuel prices are usually competitive.
Showers are available; a golf course is in sight of the marina and a golf
cart will be delivered to dock side if you want to play a round.
 
And you can get a free beer if you stop by m/v SeaNote on dock 4 and catch
me there.
 
There is a good restaurant at Goosepond and many others nearby; a courtesy
car is available. Shopping is a few miles away in town where you can find
the usual Wal-Mart, Home Depot, liquor and  other stores. 
 
Repair services are available from an on-site shop and another diesel
mechanic in town.
 
Goosepond does not have a lift for large boats at present, but one is in the
plans, hopefully to be added with the next few months.
 
Goosepond monitors VHF 16 and the phone number is 256-259-3027.
 
Have I forgot anything?
 
Louis Letson