For now, it is enough to know, that you will NOT be alone on the Tenn-
Tom. More then 15,000 recreational boats a year are transiting the
Waterway in all directions between Cuba Landing in Waverly
Tennessee and Mobile, AL. In addition commercial Barges and Tow
boats are running 24 hours a day.
Maybe the most important item you need to know, is that the only fuel
available between Demopolis and Easter Shore Marina in Mobile Bay
is Bobby's Fish Camp. That makes it the fourth farthest distance
between fuel stops on the entire Great Loop and the second farthest
after the 250 miles from Hoppies Marina to Green Turtle Bay on the
Tenn-Tom route. So hopefully, Bobby's doesn't close or stop selling fuel.
It is after all, a restaurant.
The Columbus Marina is a new marina just east of the upstream side of
Stennis Lock at Mile 335.0. This is an all service marina. They also offer
transient boaters a courtesy car and one night slip renters at no cost.
(That's makes it my kind of place).
The Waverly Marina at Mile 338.7, is good eats. We don't ever pass it
up simply for this reason. The closer we get, the hungrier we get. Of
course, we can't pass up Bobby's Fish Camp either, this has to be the
absolute best fish in the entire southeast.
Both Aqua Yacht Harbor & Grand Harbor have complete repair facilities  
Newly opened restaurants in the immediate area can easily be reached
by courtesy cars that both marinas provide.
If you wish to anchor out, (which I do most of the time when I can't get an
overnight free) then you need to be prepared for any type of bottom
structure: sand, mud, rock, stone, cypress stumps, heavy weeds or
whatever. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good company, but I am on a
frugal budget.
The benefit to anchoring our is saving a bundle of money. In addition, it
provides a wonderful quiet and relaxing solitude when you need it.  Of
course, one's personality has a lot to do with whether one likes to anchor
out or stay in a marina. There are people who prefer being alone and
there are others who have to be around other people. I think I'm in the
middle somewhere, and I am very content and comfortable with that.
Cruising the Tenn-Tom requires "boating out of the box". That means
that all you have ever learned, still demands the use of your own good
common sense. All turns and bends in the river are not all wide enough
for you and that Barge or Tow. You won’t always be able to follow the
charts, and you don't even want to think about cruising at night.
You can do this. For the most part, it is simply a matter of common
sense and taking it easy.  Go slow, sit back and take in the sounds and
the scenery. Take time to stop along the way and visit with the locals and
take in all that part of the world where cotton was King - long before Elvis
was born.
For you "sailors", there are 22 bridges across the Tenn-Tom Waterway.
The minimum bridge clearance is 52 feet at normal pool.
.
MARINAS
ON THE TENN - TOM ROUTE
(FROM NORTH TO SOUTH)
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway:
The 234 mile Tennesse-Tombigbee waterway begins at its northern end
at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River, flows through northeast
Mississippi and west Alabama, and connects with the established
Warrior-Tombigbee navigation system at Demopolis, Alabama. From
there, it is another 217 miles to Mile marker 0 (zero) at Mobile Bay just
2.9 miles below the I-10 bridge.  From that point, it is 11 miles to
Eastern Shore Marina in Fairhope, and another 20 miles to the Gulf
ICW. This makes the total distance from Pickwick Landing to the Gulf
ICW  482 statute miles.  

The main features of Tenn-Tom are 10 locks and dams and a 29 mile
man-made canal, one of the largest earth moving projects in history. The
10 locks will lower your boat a total of 341 feet to sea level.

There are some 40 recreation areas that provide easy access to over
44,000 acres of water - and some of the very best fresh water fishing in
the world. In addition, (unlike the Lower Mississippi) there are plenty of
safe anchorages and marinas to meet your needs.

The Demopolis to Mobile portion of this journey however is about as
remote and uninhabited as you will find on your entire Great Loop
adventure. It is a natural river stretch of more then 200 miles, and if you
are going slow and easy as we do, you will need to make advance
provisions for everything you need for 3 or 4 days of anchoring out. (For
us, as long as we have provisions and fuel, the more remote it gets, the
better we like it.)

All it all, between the Tennessee River, the Tenn-Tom, the Black
Warrior-Tombigbee, and the Alabama River, provides boaters voyaging
America's Great Loop an opportunity to boat right to and through some
amazing places.



3 G's
of cruising the Great Loop:
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
This 234 mile waterway begins at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River,
and flows to the Black Warrior-Tombigbee navigation system at Demopolis, Alabama.
From Demopolis it is another 217 miles to Mobile Bay and another 31 miles
to the Gulf ICW.
This leg of your journey (to the Gulf ICW)  is 482 miles.
    Bobby's Fish Camp is strategically located
    on the river. By land or sea, it is the most
    popular restaurant in the area, and has a
    long reputation for serving up the very best
    catfish in the world. We love it, so we're
    certainly not going to dispute it.
    Bobby's has a 100' dock. It has both gas
    and diesel, and over-night dockage is
    available on a first come first serve basis.

    Your last 10 miles or so before reaching
    Mobile harbor will get very busy. Not only is
    there a lot of commercial traffic, you are
    entering an area with a NO WAKE speed
    zone.

    While there are choices, on both sides of
    Mobile Bay, once we pass the I-10 bridge,
    we head east to Fairhope, and Eastern
    Shore Marina which is 11 miles away.  
    Eastern Shore Marina is located
    in a protected area just up the Fly
    Creek channel at the town of
    Fairhope. It offers transient slips,
    gas and diesel, pump out facilities,
    great shower and laundry facilities,
    and a courtesy car.

    In addition it has free WIFI access,
    mast stepping, marine supplies,
    and a full service maintenance
    facility. It is close to shops,
    restaurants, and also has on site
    rental cars for longer use if you
    need or want one.
After your cruise
south, down Mobile
Bay, Your next stop
will most likely be
Lulu's on the
Gulf ICW
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