Thunder over louisville, ky??
 

Any one in the Louisville area planning on getting on the river for thunder, we are gonna try if the water isn't too high like last year, just wondering?? I know of several people that plan to be out there, thunder is awsome from a boat!!

never done it bbefore but been kickin the idea around some myself

Never been but would like to try it anybody have any info drove down today the river looked good for this time of year.

We tried it last year but the river and weather were non cooperative. We ended up watching both the airshow and fireworks from the park along the water.

I'd like to try it again this year from the boat.

I did thunder for 3-4 yrs straight, never with this new boat, last year..yeah, the water was too high, couldn't launch anywhere, gonna try this year.....
Tman, we are planning a trip upstream to cinci this summer, looking forward to it. How far downstream have you been??

I have heard s boaters stopped due to fireworks falling onto boats. They may have been to close. With this unusually warm spring it might be a good trip.

We have been to Louisville from Cincinnati and back in one day in a 22 ft Baja it was a long day.

Good luck to any brave souls out there that are considering this. The river has been in really good shape, but just keep in mind that this event brings out some REALLY inexperienced boaters. Make sure you have plenty of fenders, anchor line and patience. You can visit the website PortKY.com for some really good articles about how to approach this event and the challenges that accompany it.

Thanks for the site. If the weather and river are good we are going to try this for the first time.

like i said, i did it for several years straight and loved it, the boats have to stay WAY back so don't know how fireworks would get on your boat, maybe wind picked up and changed direction, The air show and fireworks are great from the water. If water and weather are good, we're gonna go for it in the new boat!! Hope to see all out there!!

TMAN
about how long did it take one way and what speed were you running at? Im sure its a nice ride, I hear you pass some really nice marinia's along the way, Thanks for the info. I did notice the river isn't near as wide up there as it is down here!!

was wanting to this year as well but i have drives all off and engines still on stands.. last year didnt get to casue of the river.. i have always wanted to leave louisville and go to madison for the hyrdoplane races.

290 I think it's about 110-120 miles or so frOm cincy to Louisville. I have a group of friends who do it every fall, I have yet to participate due to always having an issue that time of year. I know last year they had to drive down stream past 1 of the locks & put in, because the lock was still down from 1 of the doors falling off. Instead of just dunkIng them in cincy!

What's the closest launch ramp to Thunder? I'll be coming from Lexington.

nevermind, looks like the closest is at Cox park off River Rd.

We were in the water by 8.30 am and were back in downtown Cinti. at 11.00 pm stoped a few times on the way down and back just to open engine hatch and check things out. Runnning 30-35 .Ate and fueled up at Captains Quarters. The locks can be a time killer sometime you can get right in or it could take a couple hours. If you have a radio you can call ahead and they will give you a estimated time and you can adjust you speed.

tbag, the closest ramp on the ky side is Cox's park, thats where i put in, real nice public ramp, we always overnite after thunder because everything is sooo packed everyone trying to get out. It is about 1 mile up stream from the barge that holds the fireworks.

tman, I do have a radio and always call ahead, the last couple of years they would have the locks ready for me and i just drive in, several times locked through with a tow, this is at mcalpine here in the ville. Thanks for the info, I will be running at 30mph, i have 130gal of fuel on board, im thinking surely i can make it to cincy in one tank for sure?? Were gonna go out and head that way one weekend. what is the average depth up there, like i said, its not very wide up there??

if you drop in there watch to your left when in the boat as there is a pretty big stump its close to the shore and you shouldnt be there anyways but i can picture some one drifting into it with the way the current is ..

maybe there is a stump there, i have been putting in there for years and it isn't a problem, the current flows away from it so no problem there,

its not inline with the ramp loading unloading its no problem its down past it and off the bank 15 ft or so and the current definatly will push you into it if you wasnt watching or didnt see it due to water being high ... all last summer it was noticable just stating that for some one that isnt aware.. also theres a big as stump right in the middle of the river right as you pass heather on the river<seigs> ive never seen it above the surface always a foot or 2 below.. ive missed it by about 5 foot the first time.. just a heads up if anyone never been out there before..

Thanks a lot for the tips fellas.

Tman- Unfortunately we won't be overnighting it. That is one of the things I did think about though, was the after fireworks boat traffic and launch ramp traffic. That might deter us from going if it really is that bad. One thing I can't stand is waiting on a bunch of inexperienced and possibly alcohol infused idiots at the ramp. Especially at night on a flowing river.

[QUOTE=290enticer;3656344]tman, I do have a radio and always call ahead, the last couple of years they would have the locks ready for me and i just drive in, several times locked through with a tow, this is at mcalpine here in the ville. Thanks for the info, I will be running at 30mph, i have 130gal of fuel on board, im thinking surely i can make it to cincy in one tank for sure?? Were gonna go out and head that way one weekend. what is the average depth up there,

AVERAGE DEPTH IS PROBABLY MID 40'S

290. Where do you overnight at? I have heard there is a long idle zone set up by the police that takes a while to get upstream.

FYI was just out on the Ohio in Lville 4 days ago & hardly any debris in water. Also for any out of towners Rivers edge marina normally sells fuel cheaper than the rest. I was told their pizza was good too.

Depending on water conditions we might put in at Madison and come down. Looks like alot of fun. Will need to find a marina close because of idle zone and I won't run at night. Should be ok on fuel but is there a dock with 93 oct ?

Experiencing Thunder from the River is definitely a unique perspective. The picket line that is set up by Louisville Metro PD/ Coast Guard, starts at the Big Four Bridge and continues upriver. You cannot anchor past the Bridge, unless you are one of the lucky few who gets one of the slots in Waterfront Park, if the docks are open. Cox' Park is the closest public access ramp to Downtown on the Kentucky side. There are several ramps on the Indiana side that are fairly close to downtown also.

I have watched/ shot pics of Thunder from just about every angle, on both sides of the river, since Thunder was moved to the river. If anyone is considering watching from land and would like to know where the best places are to watch from, please ask.

Rivers Edge Marina does have some very good pizza, and the owner is very friendly. The family that owns Admiral's Anchor are also very friendly, and quite helpful when asked. I cannot answer the fuel questions, as I have no clue.

Louisville is definitely a blend of Southern Hospitality & Northern Culture. Thunder Over Louisville is an awesome spectacle & experience. This year is a salute to the U.S. Marine Corp, so it will be heavily stacked with USMC Aviation. Also the Air Show has been extended an hour this year, so that should cut down on the waiting whether your in a boat or watching from land.

JETDOC,
We usually stay in party cove or we will run upsteam to grassy flats and stay along the sand bar, depending on water depth, there is a really nice sand bank around there, we also have tied off around king fish and stay the night. We put in early sat morning and don't come out until sunday, don't fight the wait on the ramp. Captains Quarters has an awsome sunday brunch. It is idle speed from big four to six mile, normally once you get past cox's partk..not much traffic left. I do alot of running at night depending on water conditions.. Hope to see everyone out there!!! Can't wait..