Mobile AL to Kentucky Lake?

[sigbear]

To take a "sailboat" from Mobile Al. to Kentucky lake via. Tenn Tom waterway/Lower Tombigbee river, would there be much opportunity to sail (of course weather pending) or would the trip require +90% motoring?

Can this entire trip be done without taking the mast down? or is it better to do the entire trip with the mast down (mast height 44').

I think the trip would take appx. 3 weeks, am I way off on this, or close?

Thanks,

Sigbear

 

[CalebD]

Sigbear,
I am closer to the Erie Canal and as such can't tell you much about the Tenn-Tom waterway. You might very well find this interesting though: http://www.greatloop.com/
Google search for 'Great Loop'. A bunch of info out there.

 

[Bill1565]

Little to no opportunity to sail. Narrow channel, lots of high banks. In the rivers, you will find adverse currents up to 5-6 kts after heavy rains. Little vmg for the typical sailboat. If you are in a hurry, ship the boat. If you want to see the sights plan 3-4 months.

 

[Chuck Creel]

Bill is correct, currents can be 4 knots, fulel stops far between, mainly dayligh only for safety reasons, lots and lots of heavy barge traffic. Can't remember bridge heights but most cruisers coming down step mast and restep it in mobile. Also the sand bars move around alot between mobile and birming ham.

ALWAYS monitor VHF channel 16 and locks are on CH 14.

 

[sailaway78]

Going the other way

I'm sitting in a marina in Ft. Meyers, Fl. and was talking earlier this evening to a guy in the slip next to me, who is going to Kentucky Lake, via the Tenn Tom. He said he is going to Mobile, and have the mast unstepped there. From our discussion, I am assuming there is basically no sailing anywhere N. of Mobile, till he gets to his final destination.

 

[Andy1237]

The only places I know would bePickwick Lake (TN) and Kentucky Lake.

 

[thereisabelle]

northbound tenn. tom

first..Fred Meyers has a great hand book on the tenn. tom. our 37' irwin came up from fla. with mast up. knowing jim stark, he sailed at every oppertunity. spooky going under the bridges for the first time. traffic thru the locks will slow you down. I think you'll love bay springs. we did. take your time and enjoy.
ps. stop in the local corps of engineers office for bridge and waterway info. lots of good and free stuff.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Easy trip - 10 to 11 days

I have been north to south. We made it in 8.5 days from Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Dam to Fairhope. We were a crew of 4 in a Cabo Rico 38 - with the mast up.

If your mast height is 44 feet, then you can make it with the mast up, but check from WATER LINE TO TIP OF ANTENNAS and see what that is - 52 feet is all you can do and then you have to check the variance between normal and river heights. I have the link to do that if you want it. Most 52 foot clearance bridges are arches with more clearance in the center, but some are flat and are 52 feet!

You won't be able to sail - except motor sailing. Mostly the sail will be down. There is very little current in the Tenn-Tom under normal conditions. Most of the current is from Coffeeville south. During flooding condiitons, you will see some current.

You need the cruising guide to know where to anchor and/or stop at Marinas.

Have a good trip!