Prepping for Next Leg of Great Loop - Makeshift AC - Pictures!

[magicalbill]

Probably too late now, but I've launched my 232 Gulfstream at a ramp across the small bay from Aqua Yacht Harbor. It's technically in Counce TN, but you can see the Miss/Tenn line at the bridge across the basin from the ramp. The water was deep enough, (5-6 feet, as I recall) the ramp was in good shape and there were no clearance problems, (low hanging trees, etc) that I remember.

This would save you backtracking thru the multiple locks near Demopolis. The Gulfstream was 9' 3" wide and 12' 6" high so it was a significant load and I had no trouble at that ramp.

 

[wahoo33417]

I’m in Demopolis now. Got my airline ticket to Atlanta and one-way car rental some time ago. River is very high. Boaters reporting much floating debris. Some choosing to just wait it out here.

However, I don’t know where my boat is at the moment. Truck hauler got held up in VA for some reason other and my boat sat on his other trailer when I left. My wife said it was still there last night.

As most of the country has experienced, it is 34 degrees here with windchill below freezing. Not sure I'm prepared to run in that cold!

 

[Halfhitch]

This time of year it is time to call your truck driver and have him head to Clearwater, Florida. You jump on a plane to TIA and splash the boat in Clearwater. Cruise South on the ICW and get some time in the Keys. No ice on the deck, no numb fingers on the stainless wheel, and the girls wear fewer clothes down there. Win/win. Stop here at Venice and say hi.

When you get down to the Caloosahatchee River, you can go upriver and cross the state through Lake Okeechobee and the Ditch if you like.

 

[magicalbill]

Half:

Seeing that he's doing the Loop, my guess is he wants to connect the trip by starting where he left off, meaning the Tombigbee.

He can zip down the canvas and the sun will give a "Greenhouse Effect" in there, plus it'll warm in a few days. This cold snap will be temporary. Of more concern is the floating debris in the river..that's unusual this time of year, but they've had a lot of rain: two tropical systems went ashore at the Panhandle recently.

Good Luck Wahoo! Keep us informed!