Ohio River Trip

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duanegeib

Veteran Member
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Feb 27, 2017
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36
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Journey
Vessel Make
1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
I am trying to find information for a trip up the Ohio from the mouth to Pittsburgh. I have tried to find any hard copy guides for that river and cannot find any. I am on Navionics, Argo, and Aqua Maps, but not a lot of people have cruised up the Ohio. Does anyone know of any good guides for the Ohio?
 
I have an old copy of the Ohio River Guidebook by Jerry Hay. Looks like it might be out of print. But I found this digital copy, which looks similar (I can't vouch for its authenticity though).

 
That look great!! Thanks!!
 
I have an old copy of the Ohio River Guidebook by Jerry Hay. Looks like it might be out of print. But I found this digital copy, which looks similar (I can't vouch for its authenticity though).


Very interesting. Back in the mid-'60s we paddled about 90 miles of the White River in Indiana, and one of my Great Uncles had a cabin on the river, even further south from our last stop... so we spent boatloads of time on that waterway. Back then, the only ref we could find was a Corps of Engineers map, not really a chart...

Anyway, it sounds like this series' segment called "Reading the River" will be especially significant. Another might be some readings of Sam Clements (Mark Twain) where he's made comments about reading waterflow on the Mississippi. In my experience, being able to read the water is highest pri on rivers like that...

OP, you might also review itineraries from the river cruise companies (American Cruise Lines, etc.) to get a feel for places along the Ohio that they stop at.

-Chris
 
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Given seasonal variations in current, when and how long do you expect for the trip?
 
I have an old copy of the Ohio River Guidebook by Jerry Hay. Looks like it might be out of print. But I found this digital copy, which looks similar (I can't vouch for its authenticity though).
Thanks for that. I read a lot of his stuff many years ago on the original web site, and it was part of my inspiration to hit the rivers in my trawler. Nice to see his stuff still available.
 
The Ohio runs from Pittsburgh to the mouth of the Mississippi. I believe it is fully navigable.
 
And you can continue for a long way south into West Virginia on the Monongahela River. Very cool.
Monongahela-River-Map.jpg
 
Given seasonal variations in current, when and how long do you expect for the trip?
I plan to leave Nashville sometime 1st of July and take my time stopping at little towns with free docks and just mozying up and down the river and hope to be back to KY lake sometime at the end of October. I personally only want to cruise 3-4 hours a day and enjoy the journey, not worrying about getting to the destination.
 
So your post caused me to dive into google maps to check it out. How far can up go on the Ohio River?
Pittsburgh is about it as far as I can tell, my boat is 42ft with 3.5’ draft.
 
I plan to leave Nashville sometime 1st of July and take my time stopping at little towns with free docks and just mozying up and down the river and hope to be back to KY lake sometime at the end of October. I personally only want to cruise 3-4 hours a day and enjoy the journey, not worrying about getting to the destination.
That sounds like a great itinerary. Have a good time!
 
I use diesel and have enough fuel storage to go minimum 600 miles. I have used, Navionics, Waterway Guide, Argo, and River Guide Book for Ohio by Jerry Hay. I believe it all looks good. Thanks for the advice!
 
Did that trip in 2021. No fuel issues for a gas boat. Quimby is the book to use. You can continue quite a ways up the “Mon” and the Allegheny, beyond Pittsburgh. I have friends living aboard year-round at Washington’s Landing Marina in Pittsburgh, good place to be. Most of the locks in the Ohio are floating bollard type, but close to Pittsburgh they are the hang-from-a-rope type.
 
OK, since we're talking about the Pittsburg, Monongahela and Allegheny area, I have a question:

Any options to buy slips in that region? I'd be very interested in a dockominium or club where we actually own the slip, or at least rights to the slip, instead of renting.
 
I am trying to find information for a trip up the Ohio from the mouth to Pittsburgh. I have tried to find any hard copy guides for that river and cannot find any. I am on Navionics, Argo, and Aqua Maps, but not a lot of people have cruised up the Ohio. Does anyone know of any good guides for the Ohio?
Hello Duane,
I cruised the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers a few years ago. Send me your email for details.
Rick
m/v Best Mate
vic.arghs@gmail.com
 
I went down the Ohio river Pittsburgh to Cairo a few years ago. All advice you were getting is good. Particularly note that fuel can be scare. I have the impression very few people travel the river, hence they refuel at gas stations, or the occasional local marina.
Recommend stopping at Marietta and Rising Sun. Avoid Wheeling.
I have six good books on the river. If you are interested, I will sell them for $20 plus mailing cost.
 

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How would you guys who have cruised the Ohio compare the experience to the Tennessee or Illinois rivers?
 
I have only seen the very lower part of the Tennessee river, so can’t speak much for that. Pleasant but not notable. The Illinois river is OK.
The Ohio River is terrific. Many small towns to stop at. Much history, great architecture. Amazingly, mosquitoes are rare. It is the only river I’ve traveled that I would be eager to do a second time.
 
How would you guys who have cruised the Ohio compare the experience to the Tennessee or Illinois rivers?
I do most of my boating on the Ohio. Only been on the Tennessee briefly. Never on IL.

Ohio River has a lot of great cities to visit (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville), as well as many interesting small towns.
There 21 dams/locks on the Ohio. None form a lake like on the Tennessee. Fairly easy, to transit once you do it a couple times.
Good amount of commercial (barge) traffic on Ohio. Especially around the larger cities.
Ohio is not a very clean river.
Ohio Water flow can be an issue especially after heavy rains (4+mph current).
Late summer water clarity can be decent(2-3ft), and flow below 1mph at times.
 
I went down the Ohio river Pittsburgh to Cairo a few years ago. All advice you were getting is good. Particularly note that fuel can be scare. I have the impression very few people travel the river, hence they refuel at gas stations, or the occasional local marina.
Recommend stopping at Marietta and Rising Sun. Avoid Wheeling.
I have six good books on the river. If you are interested, I will sell them for $20 plus mailing cost.
Thanks for the book offers. I have the Hays book, and others not interested in. Thank you again for the offer!
 
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