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Random Quote: Boats......If it isn't one thing, it's another.
After considerable effort to arrange a crazy schedule this week - Drive to Brunswick yesterday, meetings in Jax, Daytona, and Orlando today, fly back to Atl tomorrow for an all day conference and fly back to Orlando tomorrow night, then a couple of meetings Wednesday in Ft Lauderdale, I knew I would be ready for the Show Thursday. I just didn't plan on the opening being delayed until Saturday, so it looks like I will miss it. Robby has his last football game of the season Friday night so I am headed back early Friday morning. Looks like the trip is going to be all business and no fun.
Brian, Bob, Bo, and Jim, Just got back from cruising Nickajack Lake in Chattanooga and can report that the leaves have not changed colors there yet. We cancelled going up on Tuesday due to high winds and cold weather but went up on Wenesday morning. As I learned later in the day I turned too soon off route 319 into a Tennessee River Park which had an extremely steep ramp into a very strong current with no pier or dock. I couldn't believe it because it had been recommended as a good ramp to launch by the ASPS website. So I then headed back to 75 and onto 24 and went to Hales Bar Marina aassuming they would have a ramp. It was 30 miles away and as luck would have it they did not have a ramp. They said they would forklift me in for 2 bucks a foot. Luckily, I found a public ramp about a .5 mile south away and put in there. We had perfect weather and went through the Grand Canyon of Tennesee. I cruised at about 20 kts and in 2 hours went past the Aquarium and Hunters Museum in downtown Chattanooga . We encountered only three other pleasure boats, one commercial barge, and 5 different crew teams practicing in their eights which I slowed for . I continued upstream a bit more and lo and behold saw a perfect ramp with docks and parking about a .5 mile south of where I had orignally tried to put in. I obviously turned too soon into the wrong park. It never occured to me that all parks along the Tennessee River would be called "Tennessee River Park". I was not happy as I would much preferred to have avoided Route 24 with its narrow lanes and trucks a plenty. We decided that an overnight on the boat would have been too cold so we motored back to the ramp at 25 kts and got back to the ramp in an hour and a half. I took the advice I found on THT about using maximum tire pressure on my trailer tires and my handling was greatly improved. Truck wash didn't phase it at all. I got just under 11 mpg towing my 3800 lbs with my Tundra truck. It was a full day but clearly worth the effort. The ramp I didn't use is only about 110 miles from Marietta. Plans now are to see the foliage on the pristine shores of Lake Lanier when the leaves change there. Harv
Harv-thanks for the update....the leaves will probably turn this week.
Doesn't sound like there are too many no-wake zones between Nickajack and downtown Chattanooga...I know there is a ramp that you can see from 24...not sure if thats the one you used.
I'm off to Tampa next week to get the trailer squared away and will splash in the Gulf while I am down there... A run up-lake next weekend will probably provide some good color now that the first cold snap of the year has arrived.
Well it's back to South Florida for me next week (lot of roofs to look at!). Hope the boat show does open as planned because I might get a chance to see it after all! I probably meet a buddy at Lockwood on Sunday to go over a boat he is close to ordering - a Grady 330 Express. That should be sweet!
The leaf trips sounds great. Maybe next year on the Chattanooga thing. Lanier is a solid "leaf" trip also. Much less traffic than the islands. BTW - there is supposedly a new resturant opened at Gainesville Marina if you are headed north on the lake.
Brian - if you are in Tampa why not zip over to the Lauderdale show???
I have been reading about your plans for a TN river cruise. I have cruised the river from the ramp just upstream of Chatt. down to Goosepond marina in Scottsboro, Al. It is an easy one day trip. Goosepond is about 75 mi. down stream from Chatt. and you only have to go through one lock. You can tie up to their dock and spend the night on your boat or get a room with a dock and have your boat a very short walk from the room. If anyone is interested in more info let me know and I will try to dig through my stuff to find it. I believe they might have a web site, but I don't know what it is. If anyone is planning a trip, let me know. My Nov. weekends are kind of full but might be able to go during the week.
Harv - Thanks for posting the photos of your trip. They are great photos and it looks like you saw some beautiful sights along the river. I really do hope to make that trip one day. Right now, my boats in the shop due to a Low Oil Pressure light blinking at me. It's probably just a loose wire or bad sending unit - but I don't dare take a chance on it. Hopefully, the problem will be solved in time for me to trailer the boat down to Jupiter in a couple weeks. Bo are you still headed down to Jupiter in November?
Glad to hear your trailer is squared away Brian. I agree with you - it would be wonderful to live close to the ocean. How was the water when you were down? I imagine its still stirred up from the hurricane. I'll be down in Jupiter for the week of Thanksgiving - as long as its not too rough I should clean up on the Mackeral. Hopefully, I can haul up a few nice snapper and a Mahi or two as well. I'll give you all a full report when I get back.
Usually I would take a weekend in FLL anytime, but the leaves sure sound good right about now. This place is a mess - but improving??? I may see if I can find a spot in the keys for Saturday and Sunday nights.
Still don't have the boat back. Mechanic says engine has too much oil causing the oil light to come on.. doesn't sound right to me. I have run this engine over 50 hours since the last oil change and no light has come on. Also its a LOW OIL PRESSURE indicator I can't see how having too much oil would cause a low oil pressure situation - might cause blowby or foul a plug. Maybe the mechanic thinks the oil light is an OIL LEVEL Indicator? One thing is for sure I need to find a good OUTBOARD Mechanic. Told them to keep looking for the problem because the oil level is not the issue. I took it to a Dealer on the GA 400 side of the lake because they could get to it this week. Next time I need service, I will plan ahead further and try to get it over to Boating Atlanta or one of the other places that have been recommended. I sure hope they have the problem fixed before I head down to Jupiter.
Jim,
Sorry to hear about your motor troubles, that sounds like a frustrating problem. I'm still working with my warning horn problem that started in May, but that's because of my limited time. I just ordered a set of throttle and shift cables for both engines, hopefully I can get them in by the end of the week and my problem will be solved. I'm going down to the Stuart area a little later this month, I don't know when exactly. I may have to spend more time down there working than I had planned but if I can take my boat, that's a good thing. Good luck with your motor.
Harv,
Great pics, I just looked at them. Kathy and I are going up to the lake to look at leaves today. Looks like a good day for it.
Brian,
I am planning on going to the ASWSC meeting tomorrow and can get the seat from you if you are going to be there also. Thanks again.
I just got back from a Jamaica mission trip with our church on Sun. night and I couldn't believe the change in the leaves in just 5 - 6 days. I'll give ya'll a lake report when I get back.
I've got the boat back -- took out out this weekend and broke it in real good. Had lunch over at the dockside grill. Fixed all my trailer lights so I am good to go Sat Morning. Will be in Jupiter for the week - hopefully the winds will stay calm so I can get in some offshore fishing.
Purchased A GPS unit today -- Garmin 276C with the Blue Chart CD and Auto Kit. Should arrive in the morning. The Jupiter Area Marine forecast is looking better for next week so hopefully I will get to hunt down some Dolphin.
just got back from my trip to to the west KY land betwen the lakes huntin and fishing trip, it was a blast . saw more deer than you can shake a stick a andcaught more bass an stripers than I could eat!!!!! I had a great
time and I want to thank my host Mr McGrew and his son Boone forgoing above and beyond expectations to show me a greattime!!!harvestd 2 deer an boated over 40 lbs of fish in 3 days!!!! IT WS A DREAM TRIP !!!!! NOW my vacation starts!! headin to Costa Rica for 5 days of sail fish and marlin fishin off the west coast of Jaco C/R out of Los Sanous marina and resort!!
Ga Bilge Rat - Sounds like a fine trip you just took. I am going to CR in December (same resort I think) so post your results.
I've been in Florida for most of the last 3 or 4 weeks, business has been good (as expected) but sure wish I had the boat down here. Not sure when I would get a chance to use it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see mine next week. I may finally get to pull it out to paint the bottom next week too!
Its been a couple weeks since I've been up there...and will be a couple more unless I sneak up next week...moving the weekend after Thanksgiving so thats going to tie me up for a little bit....
Re: Lake Lanier area. 
I took it to a Dealer on the GA 400 side of the lake because they could get to it this week. Next time I need service, I will plan ahead further and try to get it over to Boating Atlanta or one of the other places that have been recommended. I sure hope they have the problem fixed before I head down to Jupiter. 
