Problems with the Ohio River

[crttop6]

Hello, We have a Tartan34C 1973 sailboat with an Atomic 4 engine. We sail out of Racine,Wisconsin. In September we plan on moving our boat to the Kentucky Lakes area. I have two concerns; the current on the Ohio River and the availability of fuel. Can my Atomic Four drive us up the river? How much extra fuel will I have to carry? There must be sailors out there that have answers, experiences and opinons. I need your help.
Thank you
Crttop6

[sdlatitude]

Hi crttop6,
You'll love Lake Barkley & Land Between the Lakes, we would often vacation there. I can't help you out a whole lot, but I skiied on the Ohio for ten years. The currents are strong, and multi-directional. There is a multitude of floating hazards, ie..whole trees etc. Just excercise caution,(as always), and you should be fine. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. sdlatitude

[captainpauly]

CRT, I'm on the Ohio in Ky. between Louisville(Pitino Country) and Owensboro. You will be coming "down river", not up. Stay in the channel
and keep an eye out for barge traffic. They can really sneak up on you. Don't try to navigate the mornings until fog burns off or you could be up close and personal with a very large load of coal, etc... Let us know when you get close. Our slip is in Green Turtle Bay Marina.

[ardenlester00]

In keeping with the former request, how would one sail from Ft. Clinton on Lake Erie to get down to the Ohio River? I cannot find routes on any map or information.

My goal is to the same locations as above - the inner lakes and Tenn River, etc.

Thanks,

Dennis