Captain's Blog

This is the place for news and casual rants from your webmaster...

RECENT NEWS:

We Need Your Help! The community is very thankful for the letters some of you wrote supporting the efforts concerning the no-wake zone for Twelve Mile Island (below). As of August, we need more! To make it simple, please download the following form, pass it around your boating friends and return it via mail (address on form): UPDATE: Several of us have met in early 2010 to discuss future efforts--check back for details.

12_Mile_Petition.pdf (31k)

Harrod's Creek Boat Owners Association

Looking to meet more boaters? The Harrod's Creek Boat Owners Association (HCBOA) sent me a copy of their membership application that is available for download. President Mark Windhorst reports, "New boaters would find it a great help to become part of a boating group and attend boating events." They have several annual events to include a Poker Run, Dinghy Run and Christmas Party.

Following is a link to the form as well as their website:

HCBOA Membership Application (309K .pdf)
HCBOA Schedule of Events (902K .pdf) (2012 Coming Soon!)
HCBOA Website: link

Miscellaneous Comments

May, 2013

5th: I am home from my trip aboard the M/V J. S. Lewis, and my what stories I have to tell! Look for more in the near future.

Above, the J. S. Lewis, built in 1931, fueled to 15,900 gallons and ready for her trip to Louisville. Taken at the Amherst Madison landing on the Kanawha River in Charleston, WV.

Above, Capt. Steve Grossarth from outside the pilothouse, tied-off just above Towhead Island. Photos by Capt. Eric

April, 2013

21st: Well, I hope your Thunder was a little better than mine. We almost lost an anchor to Neptune, and still have some rope around our starboard shaft. Thunder happens!

19th: Please be sure to check conditions before heading out to Thunder this year. As of tonight, the water at Cox Park's ramp was even with the dock, and the ramp itself was full of debris. If I had a trailer boat, I would be thinking of watching from land. Larger boats would be interested to note that the current was up but debris tonight didn't look too bad except for some pretty large branches and trees floating. Check the forum for more information. Be safe, and happy Thunder!

February, 2013

27th: Many of the old links on the Resources changed, so they've been purged and updated. Let us know if you would like something added.

16th: Note that the USACE has changed the format of their website, thereby changing all their links. Our "Resources" link to the left has been updated, so be sure to visit there for the latest on Navigation Notices and River Charts.

15th: (Revised) Our First Aid-CPR-AED course advertised on the forum has been filled to capacity. If you have an interest in a future course, please let us know via the "Feedback" page: link

3rd: Coming Soon! The 4th Edition of the "Port KY River Cards." They're on order, and I'll let you know when they're available for FREE at a local marine store near you.

January, 2013

1st: Happy New Year!

December, 2012

7th: I just returned from a 7-day, 800-mile trip down the Tenn-Tom Waterway and across the Gulf to Clearwater. Look for an article in the near future!

5th: Spotted at the same marina in Clearwater: 3 boats from RIYC. Pictured below are Charlie and Patti Whittler, along with myself and Richard Smith.

November, 2012

30th: By now, you've probably heard about the fire at Rose Island involving a relatively new 40' Carver. We'll have more information as it becomes available. Check the forum for the latest.

October, 2012

26th: If it looks like there's not much going on here, don't be mistaken! The weather's been perfect for boating, and we've been putting the finishing touches on the NEW Port KY River Forum. As soon as our testers have finished validating it, we'll be sending out invitation announcements to our boaters.

4th: Be sure to catch this weekend's Chili cook-off at the Riverpark Place Marina, courtesy of HCBOA. There are still many slips left for the weekend event: link

3rd: We pulled the little boat out of the water today. Decided that this year it would be better to wash/wax and winterize while it was still comfortably warm out.

3rd: Our server has been moved, and we're up and running. I would like to express a big "Thanks!" to those who offered to help out or offered words of encouragement during the outage.

September, 2012

30th: The website and interactive forum were hit with a malicious attack that interrupted the site's normal operations. For more information, visit here: link

August, 2012

27th: With the kids back in school, I took advantage of some vacation time to help move Capt. Richard Smith's Grand Banks 42' Trawler from Drummond Island, Michigan to Chicago. In four days, we covered 315 miles, and I saw Lake Huron, the St. Mary River, the Northern Passage, and Lake Michigan.

Here's a link to the pictures of this trip with it's amazing scenery: link

Above, your webmaster approaches the Mackinac Bridge in the Straits of Mackinac.

July, 2012

26th: Check out the colors on this duck! Taken at Cunninghams on Harrods Creek.

4th: Happy Independence Day!

3rd: We were honored to spend about an hour touring the AEP Legacy as it was docked at Pittsburgh's North Shore for the 35th Pittsburgh Regatta. We stayed an extra day in town just to see it, and it was worth the effort. Thanks to Capt. Reavis and his crew for taking the time to show us so much! See more under "Featured Articles" to the left.

June, 2012

1st: I'm back from New York, where I had the pleasure of joining Capt. Richard Smith as he made his way westbound on the Erie Canal. See the Port KY River Forum for more pictures... link

May, 2012

26th: Here's to wishing everybody a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

April, 2012

29th: Coming soon: some new articles and an updated 2012 events calendar!

22nd: It was a little nippy, but what an amazing Thunder this year!

February, 2012

1st: Are you aware of the proposed fleeting proposal for the area at the south end of Six Mile Island and associated public comment period? Check out this page from "Local Knowledge" for more information: link

January, 2012

23rd: While the rest of us were shrink-wrapping... Here are a few pictures sent in by Capt. Richard Smith, who keeps his Grand Banks 42 at Rose Island. He pointed his boat downriver, and after 2600 miles, 25 locks and a half day of 12-14 ft. seas, they arrived safely on Grand Bahama Island near Freeport.

9th: Congratulations go out to the Leggett family, who layed the "Whiskey Plank" on the hull of their 24' Carolina fishing boat project! You may recall that they started from a kit just over a year ago. What an awesome family project!

8th: Thanks to Sgt. Glaser (ret.) for sending in the following picture of the new marina under construction at River Park Place:

1st: Happy New Year!

Pre-2012 Comments and Pictures: (link)

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