GL: Knoxville South for two weeks and back

[Bill Donovan]

At 09:37 AM 1/29/2008, Sandra wrote:
>I'm learning a lot from this list and appreciate any advice.
>About May 1st we will depart Knoxville south in a 32' pontoon (3) cabin type
>houseboat with a 70 horse four stroke Yamaha. I wonder how far we will make it
>in two weeks.
>
>Please tell me what kind of communication radio to get? Needed charts? Where
>to get them? Navigation program to buy for computer? Where?

Leon and Sandy:

Carl and Alan give excellent advice, but of course, I must add to it.

A little more information about your preferences might help.  How 
fast do you like to cruise?  Are you trying to make distance or have 
a leisurely, fun trip?  Do you plan to go downstream for two weeks 
and then return, or down one week and back the next?

Most Loopers seem to average 45-55 miles per cruise day, plus 
downtime due to weather and mechanical problems.  They typically run 
6-7 hours per cruise day, stopping around 3 pm.  If you  hurry and 
average about 10 mph (the river system is measured in statute miles, 
as you probably know), you could travel for nearly 1000 miles in two 
weeks -- much more than the 647 miles from downtown Knoxville to 
Paducah, KY.  If you plan one week downstream, you could make some 
500 miles, or about to Mermaid Marina in Decaturville, TN.

A more fun trip would be to plan much less "hurry-up" and a lot more 
"take-it-easy."  Think 50 miles per travel day and about 20% stop 
time due to weather or mechanical.  So a two week trip yields about 
11 travel days plus 3 stopped.  At 50 miles per day, you can go 550 
miles one way (about Decaturville) or 275 both ways (almost to 
Guntersville, AL).

Regarding the radio, at least one marine VHF fixed radio is 
needed.  Not required by law, but needed.  I would also suggest at 
least one handheld VHF also.  We also carry a pair of FRS handheld 
radios for general use.  You will also appreciate at least one cell 
phone, preferably, one for each person (capable of using it) on board.

Charts:  all you really need is the book of charts "Tennessee River 
Navigation Charts" available from the Army Corps of Engineers, as 
Carl mentions.  Several nautical book stores also carry them 
(Landfall Navigation and Bluewater Books to name two).  It is nice to 
have the electronic charts, but may not be worth the costs.

Current on the river will affect you mileage somewhat, depending on 
how fast you run.  I am guessing you have locked through at least one 
TVA lock by now.  If not, go do it before your trip to eliminate the 
natural fear most folks have of that exercise.  Call the lockmaster 
and tell him/her you are new to locking and would appreciate any 
coaching he/she can give you.  Lock down, have lunch in an anchorage 
somewhere and go back.  Upbound is more turbulent than down, but not 
a real problem.  You never know how long the wait at a lock will 
be.  We have always had good luck, getting through in under an hour 
-- usually less.

One last piece of advice:  Get Fred Myers' book, "Tennessee River 
Cruise Guide" if you can find one (they are out of print now).  Also, 
Quimby's Cruise Guide and the Waterway Guide would be helpful.

Hope this helps.

You WILL have fun on this trip, as Alan says!

Happy days,

Bill Donovan