Hey Fellas,
Recently moved to Knoxville I'm evaluating my boating options. Not sure if there are many people on here from the area, but I thought I would ask. I'm wondering what storage options there are in the area for a 353 Fastech? Marinas? Rack Storage? Possibly a 40-45ft storage building? Thoughts?
Thanks,
Corey

Hey Cory, Welcome to Knoxville.

I don't think we have any options for rack storage for anything much over a 25-27 foot boat.

Storage buildings may be an option but I have never really looked into it. The only option I know of is this place. I don't have first hand experience with them, just heard about them from a co-worker. http://seindoorrvstorage.com/index.shtml

There are several marinas though that should be able to accommodate you in a covered slip. For that size boat though you may have to supply your own lift. Most of what he have around here is cruiser boats and they are all bottom painted. They won't be cheap as marina space is at a premium here. I decided long ago I would not pay their prices or the cost of fuel at a marina and have been trailering my boat for the past 5 years. I paved my driveway into the back yard and have enough room for up to a 38 footer if I ever move up.

Here are some places to start, in this order.

http://www.concordmarina.com/

http://www.chotomarina.com/

http://www.yachtworld.com/foxroadmarina/

http://www.fortloudonmarina.com/


PM me if you have any questions.

Matt

Thanks for all the good info Matt!! I've got a lead on a 12K used hoist here in Kville, but Still have to find a slip. I called Concord and they seem to be booked this year. I'll look into a couple of the other marina's. So when can we get back on the water? I'm an Indiana boy so I'm not used to being in the water till June.

TVA usually brings the water level back up around the later part of March. In the winter we are normally around the 808-809 feet above sea level range. During the summer we usually hover around 812-813.

You can normally get out a little earlier at some of the ramps but you have to be careful not to get into some of the sand bars and shallow areas.

Last spring they started bringing the level back up around March 15th. It will depend on how much wet weather we get this spring. I am hoping for an early start.


In the fall they start bringing the level down about the middle of November. We were on the water till about the third week of November so we get about a 9 month season give or take a couple weeks.

Welcome to knoxville there is a couple of marinas on the blount side that might be an option. Louisville landing and International harbor friendsville. Matt you forgot to warn Cory about the spare tires, empty barrels and fort loudon alligators when they raise it in the spring. Rod

Thanks for the info Rod. I've heard some rumors / horror stories about people hitting things out in Loudon, one guy told me a story that he hit a Telephone Poles still stuck in the Ground???? I have a really hard time believing that hey left structures (Houses, Barns, etc) standing when they flooded it? Should be an interesting summer...
Corey

I passed an entire dock floating down the river last summer. It had broken away in the spring.

About mid to end of March they start to slowly bring the water level up, then all of a sudden they jump it up about two feet above normal and this floats all the junk down the river so you need to be very careful till about the end of April to middle of June.

They do this again around the first of July just in time for vacation. So not only do you have a washing machine of wake to watch out for but the odd tree or log as well.

As long as you stay in the channel and deeper coves you won't have a problem with submerged junk left over from the great flood. I hear these stories from time to time and for the most part, that is all they are, stories. When TVA first flooded the valley, they did a decent job clearing man made items with the exception of silos and such but you are more likely to hit an ancient tree in the water than a phone pole.

After about a season, you will know where to go and where not to. It is usually the folks that venture outside the mail channel that get into trouble. It is a river after all and as things float down they may beach themselves in shallower areas. Of course, I will be more than happy to show you around.

I know a guy who used to cut through a spot all the time then one weekend he hit a submerged tree that had lodged just outside the channel. Caused quite a bit of damage. Had he stayed in the channel, there would not have been a problem.

I spend most of my time in the Tellico area and it is much cleaner and there is a lot less junk to watch out for.