Can you Sail from Chattanooga to the East Coast?

[KimyKennedy]

I recently visited Spring Island, SC to see dear friends. I love the area --- can you motor a boat from Chattanooga (Tenn River) over to that area? Where do you find river maps online?

Thanks for any information!

Kimy Hunter 30
"A Novel Idea"

 

[kloudie1]

The problem is that ya can't get over the mountains to your east.. Sooooo ya have to go west to the Tennessee/Tombigby .. then south to Mobile .. then east around the tip of florida .. then north back to SC.. Coupla /three months? Would be a pretty ride!

 

[Andy1237]

Super Tramp

Last time I was kicking hulls in Mobile I met a man from Knoxville. He had come down the Tennessee to the Tombigbee to Mobile River and was headed for the Keys. So yes it can be done-the song "Take the long way home" by Supertramp comes to mind-but oh what a ride it would be. Call me if you need crew along the way.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kimy;

As a former dealer I did place a few boats there.
Down the river to Mobile is the first start. One suggested having to sail all arount the tip of Florida. There is a waterway about half way down Florida where you can go to the east coast of Florida. In one place, there is a bridge which is low but a service company has the equipment and know how to heel the boat over to get under the bridge. Ok guys, help thisl little lady out with the contact and where that water way is.

By the way, I use to deliver large boats to Ft. Loudon and with bridge clearances of 51 feet at full pond, I use to have to chop the masts a little to get under that bridge.

Crazy Dave condon

 

[njwtech]

Crazy Dave is talking about the Okeechobee Waterway that crosses Florida from Fort Myers on the west coast to Stuart on the east coast. It cuts off quite a few miles, but depending on the draft of your boat you will want to do your research. Lake Okeechobee's level determines the lock schedules, and at times the level of the lake can give only 5 feet or so of water in the channel. When the lake is higher there is no problem and the locks open on demand. When the lake is low the locks open on schedules and may only open once a day.

Good information is here and for official "up-to-date" information the Corps of Engineers website.

I crossed the OW recently and had no problems. The bridge Crazy Dave is talking about has 49' clearance give or take a little, and like he says there are people there that can help with boats taller than that if they can be heeled over.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

That bridge is the Port Mayaca RR Bridge. Captain Billy "the tip-over guy" is the one who used to offer the tipping service if you need more than the 49' clearance. The marinas around Indiantown might be able to tell you if he stiil does it. He used to bring 7 or 8 water drums to a boat and fill them up to force the yacht to heel about 20 degrees. Once on the other side, he emptied the drums and collected his money (around $175 back in 2007 if memory serves me right). If you are new to the boat, it can be quite a nerve wrecking situation.

 

[badsanta]

Check out america great loop cruisers association great people. Lots of people do this trip. Go for it.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kimy,

did you try to call me??? I got a phone message but could not understand it but the Tenn River and Tombie was mentioned by a female voice.

crazy dave

crazy dave