Upstream into the Tenn-Tom???

[Sleepy]

We are thinking about heading upstream from Mobile Bay into the Tenn-Tom and perhaps further. Two reasons: 1) to explore that water and the sights along the way and 2) to escape the gulf coast during hurricane season. In fact, the thought is to head out if there is a hurricane projected to hit our marina.

Obviously this is the opposite direction most loopers follow. Our boat can do 10kts and we know all about locking through. We know there is a good amount of tug and barge traffic to deal with. We don't know if the cruising and sights along the way will be worth fighting the current.

Is this a dumb idea???

[Blissboat]

If I was based in Mobile, and a hurricane was within three days of landfall anywhere along that stretch of the Gulf coast, I would absolutely head inland up the Tenn-Tom rather than waste time guessing whether to run east or west. Trying to outfox a tropical system in the Gulf or Mexico is a fool's errand, as Hurricane Michael proved in 2018.

As to whether going north via the Tenn-Tom is a pleasure cruise, others will have to comment. But, any port in a storm.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

We are thinking about heading upstream from Mobile Bay into the Tenn-Tom and perhaps further. Two reasons: 1) to explore that water and the sights along the way and 2) to escape the gulf coast during hurricane season. In fact, the thought is to head out if there is a hurricane projected to hit our marina.

Obviously this is the opposite direction most loopers follow. Our boat can do 10kts and we know all about locking through. We know there is a good amount of tug and barge traffic to deal with. We don't know if the cruising and sights along the way will be worth fighting the current.

Is this a dumb idea???

Wifey B: Nice pleasant cruise. Demopolis is really the first place to enjoy time if you spend it there, but some other decent towns along the way, such as Columbus. Then great waters if you make it to Bay Springs and on to Lake Pickwick.

No problem going the wrong way except when snows melting or flooding sending debris down, but that's typically early spring and not every year.

As to cruising and sights, most don't look at them and they are much the same for many miles, but there's a lot of nice secluded scenery as a contrast to what you see on either end.

As to hurricane escape, timing is everything. Locks will start closing at some point in the event of a storm.

[Sleepy]

Yes. Locks closing is a big issue. Thanks for clarifying that going against the current is not a show-stopper.

[ParadisoTrovato]

We went up that direction in our Mainship Pilot 34 last year. We purchased the boat in Stuart, FL and sailed all the way up to Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro, AL. Took 17 days and I wish we had been able to go slower and enjoy the view a bit more. Be sure to have enough fuel to get you to the next place with diesel. The first several hundred miles north from Mobile has a limited selection of fuel stops. But otherwise a very pleasant trip and we would do it again.

[Choices]

We are doing exactly that the end of this month.

It will allow us some personal time and is a good place to moth ball the boat for a couple months.