Ohio River Weekend

[Dick Sorensen]

Just got back from three great (as in the best cruising ever) days on the Ohio. The weather was drop-dead perfect, the river almost looked drinkable and the experiences where over the top!

Put the boat in Friday in Cincinnati, ran down to Madsen, IN for the night, met a great marina owner at The Rivercrest Marina....we where planning on camping out....he put us in one of his covered slips at no charge....off to Madsen (one of the best small river towns in America)....great scene and even better bars.....Saturday down to Louisville....then even further...turned around and headed back upriver to The Captain's Quarters Restaurant...nice...then back to Madsen (can one have too much of a good thing? Nope!)...this morning loaded up and headed home! Stopped at Vevay, IN for their wine festival (they had a guy wrestly alligators---go figure) Anyway the corn dogs where outstanding...

about 250 miles....boat ran great....everybody we met or came in contact on or near the river where very friendly and helpful. If you ever get a chance go cruising on the Ohio....don't forget Jerry Hay's Ohio River Guidebook!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Sounds great. I've only been in the northern end of the river near E Liverpool and found I had to keep a constant eye peeled for debris. Is it the same down there? I'd love to put in at Cincy.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Thanks...it really was one of the best boating experiences ever! The Ohio River that starts out in Pittsburgh is much nicer by the time it flows into Cincy....wider, it appears cleaner, NO debris, the locks are almost clear of all logs & trash, the shores are clean and wider....more flat area leading to the edge of the river with the hills farther back.....lots of folks 'in' the water either swimming, water sports or on it....no pleasure boats on Friday...tons on Sunday...case in point...I called the Markland Lockmaster and requested passage upriver...he asked how many boats and I told him only me....by the time we locked thru....we had five other upbound boats and about eight waiting to go down....that poor guy really earned his pay that day....the Corp of Engineers had just set-up shop to dredge out the lock approaches in anticipation of the new doors....remember last year when one fell off? ....lots of activity yet miles of boating alone....it just seemed like the Ohio has to be ruff and tuff around those steel mills and can mellow out as it approaches the distilleries in Louisville....hope you get a chance to run thru it soon.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

****, sounds like a great trip. I was out on the Ohio today and you're right, the water was as clear as I've seen it in a long time. I'm planning a Pittsburgh-Louisville trip with a buddy in a 21' Sea Ray cuddy in the third week of September. We did Louisville-Kentucky Lake a couple years ago and had a blast.

I've got one correction for readers who may be looking on a map to follow your route. The town you visited in Indiana is "Madison" vice "Madsen". It is a neat little river town. It's a short cruise up there from Louisville.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

I need a primer on running locks.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Four Winns....thanks for the correction....realized that after.....a run from Pitt to L'ville is quite a trip 600 miles! You'll have a great time..Make sure you gas up at Juniper Beach Marina, mile 596, ask for Roxanne.....worth the effort.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

airdv r1227.....I'll give the lock primer question a go!.....Upriver, starting in Pittsburgh you'll need to have on board a 100 foot line....I picked-up on at Home Depot....lower down on the Ohio no problem....Equipment wise....fenders (the more the better) and a boat hook.....If you can afford it a Vhf radio (handheld is fine)....It isn't necessary but it's nice to have...when you get within a mile of the lock...go to channel 13 and call the Lockmaster ...the script goes like this "Markland (insert the name of the lock you are going thru) Lockmaster, this is a pleasure craft requesting passage downriver (or upriver)." Then wait for a response....all the lockmasters have handheld radios so they can always hear you...but commercial traffic goes first...if, after 5 minutes or so, you don't hear anything give them another call. Then follow his instructions....as you approach the lock you notice a set of lights exactly like a stop and go signal...flashing red tells you the lock is filling....solid green means it's ready to go...you might hear a bell or whistle telling you to proceed into the lock chamber at alittle above idle speed....pick a floating bollard to secure to....(don't tie off) Secure your engine and keep your hull off the rough walls...Up north the locks don't have floating bollards so you find the lockmaster lowering a hook on a line....place your 100 foot line over the hook....(you have tied it off the bow, haven't you?) then just tend the line....once the water level has reached the correct point the doors will open....wait until you hear a whistle or bell before releasing your line....then motor out of the chamber....if you have a vhf it's river courtesy to thank the lockmaster "Markland, thank you for the passage." If you don't have a radio, motor to the lock wall and go to the very first ladder....hanging behind the steps you'll see a pull cord...which alerts the Lockmaster that you are there...usually a sign on the wall directing you to it....signage is usually good but worn in some spots.... hope this helps....

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Thanks. ALways wondered about that.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

...a run from Pitt to L'ville is quite a trip 600 miles! .

Been there, done that in 1999, and it was cool to say the least. Aboard a Sea Ray 268 cruiser with 3 people, though, not a 21'er!

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Glad you had a fun and safe trip. I live 5 minutes from brookville lake and I just am getting really tired of how small it is. I have been down on the river a couple times this year just can't find a good launch ramp on the indiana side. I am thinking next year I am going to get a campsite down in aurora so I can camp and have access to the water. I would like to make a couple trips on the water.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Just saw your post re: Aurora, In. I consulted The Ohio River Guidebook by Jerry M. Hay....He indicates that Aurora has alot of launching ramps...look into Tanners Creek, Wilson Creek, Hogan Creek (in Aurora) and Camp Shor by Laughery Island....I passed this area and it really looked neat....floating restaurant in Aurora....dock and eat...the Laughery Island looked like a great place to anchor, swim, party....lots of folks doing just that when I went by...upriver a lot of boats where beached on the Kentucky side....I put my boat in at Catalina Island Marina....really nice guy. Just charged $15. for launching and no fee to park the van & trailer...Catalina is located in Addyson, OH. The channel leading to the Ohio is 'skinny water' if you catch my drift....Overall, this stretch of the Ohio looks good. Enjoy.

 

[Ohioriver]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Glad to hear you had a good trip ****, I can't believe how many people that live in the Cincy area drive 3 hours each way to go to Cumberland because they say they don't like the river or that its too dirty. But we can keep that a secret so it doesn't get too crowded. I usually spend friday nights on my boat on the river thru the summer months.

 

[maharg]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Glad to hear you had a good trip ****, I can't believe how many people that live in the Cincy area drive 3 hours each way to go to Cumberland because they say they don't like the river or that its too dirty. But we can keep that a secret so it doesn't get too crowded. I usually spend friday nights on my boat on the river thru the summer months.

While I partially agree, there is something to be said for the big lakes in Ky/Tn. Well worth the 3-4 hrs.

 

[Ohioriver]

Re: Ohio River Weekend

Well Maharg I have to partially agree with you, just got back from a week at Cumberland and it was a great trip. Can't see the 7 hours on the road on a normal weekend, but to go down for a little longer is well worth the drive. Was really nice to get away from all the wakes being down there during the week also.