Captain's Blog

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

RECENT NEWS:

Get Your Capt's. License in 2011:

True Courses Captain's School is coming back to Louisville in the spring, hosted by PortKY.com and Kentuckiana Yacht Sales. We are pleased to offer the following classes on the following dates and class hours:

OUPV (6-Pack) 56 hours course
Saturday March 5 thru Sunday March 13

OUPV Test
Wednesday March 16

Marine Radio Operators License Test
Wednesday March 16

Towing Endorsement (Course and Test)
Thursday March 17

Sailing Endorsement to Master License (4 hour course w/test)
Thursday March 17

Upgrade to Masters (24 hour course w/ test)
Friday-Sunday March 18-20

Renewal of License in Lieu of Vessel Time (8 hour course including test)
Tuesday March 15 9-6

Drug testing and a non-invasive physical will be conducted during the week of the OUPV classes. The classroom is located at the St. Matthews Fire Department, 240 Sears St. in St. Matthews

For more information: OUPV2011.pdf (84K)

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 Website: link

Miscellaneous Comments

September, 2010

2nd: Remember that old 103' boat at the south end of Six Mile Island? She's on her way to Nashville for restoration. Read about it here: link

The Lost Pearl, a 1966 Gustafsson & Anderson 103' motoryacht. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Yacht Sales.

1st: I shared breakfast with a towboat captain recently, and heard some hair-raising stories about boats he almost ran over. Sounded like a good article...check back shortly under "Featured Articles."

August, 2010

28th: Anybody else think the new arena looks like a fish? See the forum for some pics from the other side.

25th: "The Cove" controversy made Fox 41 News yesterday: link (watch video)

21st: Sounds like Madison is the place to be this weekend for the Ribberfest! Also, my VHF radio article got picked up and beamed to over 1,000 Cincinnati boaters. Thanks for the publicity, and Cincinnati boaters welcome to the site!

13th: I overheard a conversation in a boating store where a new boater asked if he needed a VHF radio for the river and was thereby inspired to do an article for the site addressing that very question. See "Featured Articles" to the left.

8th: Port KY "River Cards" are updated and available. Updates include expanded wording on Visual Distress Signals, more things on the map like mileages to other cities, as well as new highlights on the map. Please ask for them at:

• Marine Sales & Service
• Sea Ray of Louisville
• Arnolds
• Harrods Creek Marine Supply, and
• River's Edge Marina

2nd: I talked to Sgt. Glaser (ret.) today about the 12-Mile No-Wake Proposal. He is waiting for the correct political opportunity to move forward. We'll keep you posted.

July, 2010

28th: Sadly, there was another rope-swing accident at Eighteen Mile Island last weekend. Please visit "Local Knowledge" (left) for a press release by Don Dahl, Assistant Chief, Oldham County Fire Department. (scroll down to the rope swing picture).

25th: I'm just finishing a 3-week non-boating commitment. Can't wait to get back on the water!

5th: Armed with a bunch of new pictures from some recent trips, I've updated and added to several Featured Articles (link to left). Check out "Tips on Locking Through," as well as trips north to the KY River and Craig's Creek/Smuggler's Cove.

1st: Below, a picture of the morning mist coming off the KY River at Lock 1. We just returned from an overnight there, and found it to be very tranquil. We enjoyed a good lunch on the way home at the Madison Lighthouse Restaurant, where we ran into some friends from Admiral's Anchor. Whether you're in Louisville or Madison, we hope you have a good weekend!

June, 2010

25th: Did you hear about Mimi Hughes plans to swim the length of the Ohio River? She started in Pittsburgh, and passed through Prospect this morning. The kids were out skiing/tubing, so with permission we were able to come abreast and yell "Go Mimi, Go Mimi!" (link) Also this weekend is Riverfest at Shady Glen...

15th: Looking for something new on the water this weekend? Be sure to visit KYS's 2010 "Smokin' on the River" BBQ, Blues & Boats Festival on Friday and Saturday. Forum members check your e-mail for more information.

14th: Thanks to "RiverKat," who sent in artwork for the site. She's in Middle School, and is into her 2nd year of kneeboarding on the river. I'm glad to see we have another generation of boaters in the making!

May, 2010

31st: What a great Memorial Day Weekend for boating. The river was at normal pool and wasn't too muddy, and we only had a few showers. Between Friday and Monday, our family enjoyed two meals at waterfront restaurants and several more at anchor. We enjoyed good times and fun with family and friends. Here's to a good summer!

29th: Did you happen to catch the plug for PortKY.com on AM-970 WGTK? They featured a boating segment with forum member Capt. Lee Scheele.

15th: Check out the forum and the newsletter (via e-mail) for a deal from Sieg's on the River! Expires May 28th.

9th: Happy Mother's Day! Seig's is scheduled to open any time now, located adjacent to Heather's where Cutter's Wharf used to be. How about the river level? After the rain a week ago, the river peaked at 21.5' on Thursday before rapidly receding to normal this morning. Here is a picture from the Rose Island Yacht Club at the peak, courtesy of William Glass:

April, 2010

25th: "Party Cove": Please see the "Local Knowledge" link to the left regarding the official position of Port KY LLC and myself regarding operations within the cove...

18th: What a great time at Thunder yesterday! Good weather, and lots of boats! It was certainly a little crazy coming home until we got past Harrod's Creek.

17th: Thunder Technique: Having trouble anchoring in 40' of water with 50' of anchor line? Try the "Overhead Anchor Toss." Yep, saw it tried last night. When it didn't work the first time, they tried it three more. Yes, the bottom is 40' down, but it's all in the "air" you catch before the big splash. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! See the Forum for more...

12th: Less than a week until "Thunder," and the river is looking pretty good! The fantastic weather recently has helped everybody get their boats ready a little sooner than usual. The Events page has been corrected to show the Steamboat Race on April 28th.

1st: On March 29th, a few concerned boaters (above) met with Louisville Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer (R-District 11), who serves on the Public Safety Committee, to discuss the issue of a Twelve Mile Island no-wake special anchorage. We were able to share our concerns and hear about his insights into the government process. Also in attendance were Lawrence Glaser, LMPD River Patrol (Ret.), Mark Windhorst (President, Harrods Creek Boat Owners Assoc.), myself, and Don Nordin from Tartan's Landing. You can download and return the petition (link) if you'd like to help (see above).

March, 2010

22nd: This just in--Boarding ladders are back in production, and are available locally! Contact William Glass, Dealer, at 502-664-5777. Please mention "PortKY.com" for a special price and a donation to the site.

21st: The temps hit 70 this week, and one of our youngest fans contributed this picture. Megan, 10, drew this at the Macaroni Grill--the adults were talking, and she was dreaming of being back on the water. Thanks for the contribution!

7th: Spring is here, if only for a few days! We helped celebrate the conclusion of the PortKY-sponsored Captain's Class (OUPV Portion). These guys test in a few days, and should all do just fine. Here is a picture from Captain's Quarters:

February, 2010

28th: I had a chance to meet the Louisville Captain's Class of 2010 yesterday. Looks like a good group, and I hope they have as much fun as we did last year. It was also good to catch up with Capts. Ron Getter and Dick Devoe from True Courses. This year's class featured folks from the Louisville/Southern Indiana area and one student who drove up from Lexington.

26th: Now available: Shirts! See the "Apparel" link to the left.

19th: Feeling too warm? Take the Polar Plunge on the 27th! (see Events link to left).

14th: Our last 6" of snow is melting, and there is another 4" in tomorrow's forecast. I suspect the river will be up for a while when all the snow from PA, OH, WV, and IN starts to melt. With only two months until "Thunder," I've been asked for suggestions--I decided to type all kinds of Thunder information into a new "Featured Article" (see link at left)

13th: Like anything else, this site has gotten a little expensive. Check out the "Sponsors" link at left for information on boaters who have helped us and what you can do. Also, find out how to win a free hat!

2nd: Time is rapidly closing to reserve your spot in the 2010 True Courses Captain's School. If you're sitting on the fence, please commit, as it is possible the class could cancel. Capt. Ron reports that their classes to the south of here have been full, so we're not sure what's different in Louisville this year.

1st: What better time of year to do some big tweaks to the site. I'm going to go with the best of 2009 and make some changes. Gone will be "Advertise Here", "Slips for Sale/Lease", and "Local Brokers/Services." When you get right down to it, I started this site for fun and I have no desire to pursue business interests within it. Less overhead means more time to see you on the water! BTW, if you have a slip to lease out or sell, I'd suggest you go with Craiglist or an ad in your marina.

January, 2010

23rd: What happened to all the big boats at the boat show?

10th: A Picture from the Louisville Yacht Club. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

6th: I sent notices today to our Forum members with information on "Party Cove" and recent public notices describing the proposed activity. Please see the Forum for details!

December, 2009

25th: We hope everybody enjoys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

20th: Pretty quiet this time of year. Don't forget to check your boat occasionally to make sure it's OK. If it's in the water, remember to check the security of your lines and take a peek in the bilge area to make sure you don't have any small problems that could turn into big ones!

November, 2009

13th: What perfect weather again: high 60s for the weekend! The "RiverCast" has been updated for November. link

9th: Wow, what's wrong with this picture? The bright side is only 158 days until Thunder!

October, 2009

16th: Only 183 days until Thunder Over Louisville! If you just winterized, you've got something to look forward to!

6th: I was fortunate to get a great picture of "Sea Smoke," or steam fog this morning at the marina as a cool, stable air mass settled over the warm river waters. I put it on the front page of the site.

3rd: Recent discussions between a few tow captains and visitors to our site has generated a lot of discussion on how to interpret the "Sailing Lines" on the charts and where to expect commercial traffic. See the forum and "Local Knowledge" for updated and more accurate information.

September, 2009

20th: It was a rainy day, but I got some updates done on the website. Check out "Ask the Captains" for some new information from the Forum. Check out "Featured Articles" for some new additions. After the tragic explosion and fire at Green Turtle Bay Marina last week, William Glass had tips for fueling procedures that we added. I would recommend a refresher for even our most seasoned boaters.

(Picture attributed to Bob DeGroot, D.C.H., M/V Spirit Dancer, Seabrook TX)

13th: What a great weekend! Perfect weather, good company, good boating. I met up with a few boats from the PortKY River Forum. If you're not on there, check it out! Also, the RiverCast was updated today with the 2nd episode. Thanks to LMPD's Sgt. Glaser for the interview.

4th: Looks like it's shaping-up to be a nice holiday weekend!

3rd: We filmed the 2nd Edition of the "PortKY RiverCast" today. Look for it in a few weeks!

August, 2009

26th: I stopped by the Rivercrest Marina in Madison today. They wanted me to pass along that their reservations for the Chautauqua are filling up, so if you'd like a slip please call them ASAP, definitely before September 10th. Also, they wanted me to pass along that they are under new ownership (Mike Biles), and are working hard to improve upon the whole facility. Gas pumps are 24 hours, and price was $3.19 today for Regular Unleaded. Their new number is 812-273-9080 or email: rivercrestmarina@verizon.net

16th: Man, talk about a lot of boats! The river was packed up by 12-Mile Island. Hope everybody had a good weekend and a good time at the Poker Run. Who was the idiot who buzzed Cutter's Wharf on Sunday night going about 60 only 10' off the dock? Call me conservative, but the rest of us shouldn't have to share the waterways with such recklessness. I hope that guy gets a BUI and goes to jail before somebody gets hurt.

July, 2009

24th: Letters are in the mail--apparently a certain property owner is suing boaters who have violated the "No Trespass" area otherwise known as "Party Cove" at the tip of Six Mile Island. I would not recommend going in there unless you are in somebody else's boat. Just kidding, I would stay clear until the dust settles from this one.

12th: Do you support a local business that you learned about here? Let them know where you heard about them and ask them to help support us! For example, one of our fans just heard about River's Edge for the first time and went up there and spent $500. Your comments will help us keep growing! Thank you.

10th: Did you get your "PortKY.com River Card"? They've been flying off the shelves! Thank you for the great response.

5th: Looking forward to hearing how Madison turned out this year. I was off the 4th and made it downtown. Rain into the evening kept most of the boats away, but we had a good ride down and back and a wonderful view of the fireworks right off the back of the concert stage.

June, 2009

30th: In case you're not going to Madison this weekend, the Louisville Waterfront will have fireworks on the 3rd and 4th. link

29th: George East mentioned that things have been very busy over at Paradigm Yacht Sales. That is consistent with reports that the ecomony is showing signs of a bottom combined with the time of year. Sounds like people are finally coming off the sidelines.

27th: Lots of boats out for Riverfest!

22nd: Heard that people were chased out of the cove again as it got a little crazy on Sunday. Stuff changes quickly...that's where the Forum comes in handy! Speaking of things changing quickly, a teen wrote in that we need to update more frequently, as the above picture has been there almost two weeks. Sorry, but I'm in my 40's and once a month plus the little extras when they pop up is about how fast we'll stay updated for now. And no, I'm not on Twitter yet, either, but thanks for asking.

17th: We need your help! See the "home" page for information on making the area behind Twelve Mile Island a special anchorage no-wake zone.

16th: It appears "Party Cove" is still in full swing. See Local Knowledge for the latest.

10th: Is your boat ready for the DTV conversion scheduled for June 12th? I found lots of new channels when I hooked up my converter box. Read more: link

1st: How about Genmar, who filed for bankruptcy protection today. They are the privately held owners of Aquasport, Carver, Crestliner, Glastron, Larson, Logic Marine, Lund; Nova, Ranger, Trojan, Wellcraft, Four Winns, Hydra-Sports, Javelin, Lowe, Seaswirl, and Stratos. (link) Holy cow! Followup: They make 20% of all new recreational boats, and filed due to issues obtaining their flow of credit. They predict business as usual.

May, 2009

31st: Had a nice day on the water, but what ever happened to courtesy and wakes. Here's a picture of a boater operating with little regard to the guy at anchor he was passing:

29th: I had the opportunity to talk to a tow boat captain who frequents the Louisville area in a 150' tow. He had a very interesting perspective on the interaction between recreational and commercial vessels in Louisville, and I'm going to incorporate his advice into the site over the summer. For a preview, see the Forum.

24th: I jumped in the water on a dare on Memorial Day. It was 66 degrees! Can't wait 'til August.

21st: New for the summer! "The Port KY River Forum." See the home page for info, and the link is to the left.

20th: Went down to the boat today after work (10 am) to do some misc. chores. It was perfect weather with no winds, so you can guess how much I got done. Debris was light and sporatic, but I did see a freezer go by with PA registration numbers.

I made it up to River's Edge Marina for some BBQ wings at their dock. Aaron is the newest helper there. Also, there are a lot of changes to report up there. It's much easier to see with their new colors. They have new 24 hr. fuel pumps, and are installing carpet and flowerpots on the deck. They still sell beer and ice (for when you beach), and have an expanded menu. Tell them what frequency you're calling on when you radio them. I called them on Ch. 68 about 5 minutes out, and the wings were almost ready when I got up there. Expect fuel prices of about $2.80 for the holiday weekend.

16th: Are you familiar with "Local Notices (and Special Notices) to Mariners"? These are put out by the USCG weekly to inform mariners of things like river closures (think Thunder) and lock repairs. We have added the link to the "Links/Resources" page, and would recommending visiting them before your next voyage: link

13th: Our heavy rains moved up the Ohio River Valley to West Virginia, where the news channel showed houses and cars getting washed into the river. Be careful this weekend, as these items can foul your running gear.

7th: With the river up 5' from the heavy rains, this weekend may be a bust on the river. Stop by the Captain's Quarters for a Mother's Day brunch and "Art on the River." link

April, 2009

29th: We enjoyed perfect weather for the Great Steamboat Race! I think the forecast scared everybody off, but the rain missed us. We arrived just north of Harrod's Creek a few minutes before the Belle of Cincinnati, and followed it back to Mile 597 where it caught up with the Belle of Louisville. The Belle of Cincinnati looks good, but lacks real steam from the stacks. No wonder they lost!

21st: Hope you had a good time at Thunder Over Louisville. The USCG reported on the news that there were 560 boats anchored out, and we heard a count of 260 on the radio. Either way, there were a lot of boats! The weather was incredible. For all the well-equipped and educated boaters out there, we were again amazed by how many people were unprepared for the current. This isn't a lake people!!! I got some good pictures for my older "Tips on Anchoring" Featured Article. link

9th: Rick Schal, USCG Aux, just did a couple Vessel Safety Checks at our marina. He wanted me to get the word out that the 2009 stickers are in and that you can call him to get one. link

8th: I've been reading about the tight lending these days. Banks are getting money to lend, but are more selective in how they distribute the funds. With typical lenders, you will find higher rates and more restrictions regarding age and down payments than a year ago, even with a great credit store. The good news is that credit unions are still a good place to check for a used boat loan, especially under $25,000. Some of the leading marine lenders are still good for larger loans. Also, home equity rates are awesome these days if you decide to go that route. With sales down a little, this is a great time to find your next boat!

7th: I found a neat boating coffee-table type book at a local book store (rhymes with "orders"). They had the book "SHIP, Epic Story of Maritime" by the Smithsonian for $9.99 on sale, buy two get one free. These are large books full of color pictures and would make great presents for your nautical friends.

6th: Jerry Hay of Indiana Waterways tells me that he's made a ton of upgrades to his site, and he has also added a link to his new site, Illinois Waterways. You will enjoy his site here: link

5th: Sources from RIYC tell me that Cutter's Wharf will be open April 23rd. See you there!

March, 2009

26th: Do you plan to trailer your boat between the Ohio River and other local lakes? Remember that Zebra muscles are a problem in the Ohio, and authorities are concerned that they may spread. There are numerous sources out there that describe actions you should take. Here is a neat video I came across showing their effects: Link

25th: Just saw on the news today a confirmation that the Great Steamboat Race is set for April 29th. Link

23rd: A few items:

• Coming Soon: Harrods Creek Boat Harbor. Boat ramp and ship's store next to the Captain's Quarters Marina. See the Home Page for details.
• Also, It was nice to see public docks installed at Westport. Saw them on a cruise up there yesterday.

22nd: Some craziness at the boat ramp today inspired me to finish the Featured Article "Boating Courtesy" that I was saving for later.

19th: Do you visit Northern Mississippi lakes? There is a 3-year trial requiring PFDs for all boaters in vessels under 26'. Also, PFDs are required when swimming. The following lakes are under the new rules: Arkabutla Lake, Sardis Lake, Enid Lake, and Grenada Lake. Sounds like another opportunity for over-regulation. Link

18th: I got my Halon Fire Extinguisher inspected and weighed this morning. I was going downtown anyway, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it only cost $2 for the service without the mileage fee. Do you claim your automatic extinguisher on your insurance for a deduction? Is so, remember to keep it properly maintained and inspected so that you don't find yourself crosswise with your insurance company in the event of a claim.

14th: Barely a month left until Thunder Over Lousiville!

13th: I received an email from my 4th-District Congressman describing in detail how the President's "Cap and Tax" Energy Tax as part of the 2010 budget blueprint would affect us. Politics and family finances aside, the question becomes, "How will this affect me as a boater?" According to the letter, "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Information Agency (EIA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) confirm that the President's "cap and tax" proposal could increase the price of gasoline by $1.27, bringing the cost of a gallon to more than three dollars." At 1.0 mpg in a cruiser, that's a direct cost increase of $1.27 cents per mile. Maybe we could get a tax credit if we buy a sailboat? Is that in the budget?

February, 2009

22nd: There will soon be eleven new Captains navigating our local waters! Today was the last day of testing for the Louisville group attending the True Course OUPV/Masters Upgrade Class, with everybody getting their OUPV and the majority finishing with the Masters Upgrade and Towing classes. Click here to see some information about getting the OUPV from a student's perspective.

Below, a picture of the "I think we'll all pass the Master's test tomorrow" celebration.

18th: Only two months until Thunder Over Louisville 2009. Link

1st: Spring will be here before you know it. To get you through the final weeks of winter, consider the Louisville Sail and Power Squadron's "America's Public Boating Course," starting March 9th. Also, don't forget about the National Houseboat Expo, which will be held right here in Louisville Feb. 20-22 (see Events).

January, 2009

31st: Do you keep your boat in the water? Just a reminder to check on it occasionally to make sure the thru-hulls and sea strainers still have good integrity.

24th: We had a good time at the boat show Saturday. We saw some old friends, and made some new ones, too. Pictured below is one of our young fans, who was the proud recipient of one of our new hats. This young mariner claims to be the youngest person in Louisville to have us bookmarked!

23rd: The boat show starts tomorrow--See you there!

22nd: Keep the sun out of your eyes, and expand your river wardrobe! Now available are PortKY.com ballcaps. Here is the link for instructions on getting one...

17th: I received infomation on the Louisville Sail and Power Squadron's Boating Safety class in March. See the Home page for information.

9th: People requested a way to hold discussions and post pictures. Rather than reinvent the wheel, we have enabled this capability through a Facebook.com Group. Don't be afraid to join, as you can control your privacy settings. Log in, create your account, then come join the "Friends of Port KY" group! (*See Disclaimer on Home Page)

8th: Have you read about AIS yet? Long story short: Large commercial vessels transmit their ID, position, speed vector, destination and other information. Very cool! You can see live ships in Louisville here: MarineTraffic.com

7th: The "Captain's Course" starts a month from today. The beauty of the class is that it'll take place right in our home town. As of today, there are nine confirmed attendees with a few more waiting to confirm their schedules. For more information, see the home page of this site.

5th: One of my favorite brokers tells me that the yacht I purchased in '07 for $15,000 under survey and put $10,000 into is now worth less than I initially paid for it. I suppose that is consistant with other investments. If you are concerned that the value of your boat has decreased, take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone. Now is the time to enjoy your boat and not worry about the numbers.

1st: Happy New Year! Do you have any New-Years resolutions? I hereby resolve to enjoy the boat, double-up the payments, and not worry what it's really worth this year.

If you are looking for boating things to do during the winter months, remember the Louisville Boat Show January 24-February 1st. Also, check "Local Events" (left) for other not-so-local boat shows (eighteen in all). For our snowbirds, I have included several Florida and Gulf Coast locations.

December, 2008

25th: Hope Santa treated you well with some boat stuff! I got a Garmin hat and a pen that writes underwater. I suppose the pen would come in handy for plotting a position while going down with the ship or something.

16th: The temperatures are dropping, and so goes the river temperature. Do you know how cold the water is? Even if your only river activity is to check the power cord at the dock, do you know what to do if somebody falls in? See the new Feature on "Hypothermia" under the "Featured Articles" link to the left. Also, see the "Weather Info" link for river temps, as provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

15th: RIYC sources indicate that Cutter's Wharf has closed for the season. See you in the spring! Still need last minute Christmas ideas? Check the front page for a small list...

1st: Do you have any really good winter boating pictures? For December, I'd like to post one with a boat with Christmas lights. If you have one you'd like to share, send it in, and I'll let the admiral pick her favorite for the homepage of this site. Thanks!

November, 2008

30th: I hope you enjoyed a good Thanksgiving! In the past few weeks, we got the boat winterized and shrunk-wrapped. I can't help thinking that before we know it, we'll be at the boat shows then getting ready for the spring.

As we wrap-up the end of PortKY.com's first seaon online, I'm happy that this site has grown to where it is today. The hit-count is up, we have several regulars and I've met many new people out there as I've looked for information to help our boaters. I look forward to your suggestions for the future, so feel free to use the "Feedback" link above with your ideas. I'll report back over the winter with your suggestions...

I recently read an interesting analysis on aircraft sales. I wish I could remember where I saw it, but the point was that in the past 30 years, we have seen a shift from single-income families with the husbands making the financial decisions to more of a team approach. In today's times, we have spouses earning half or more of the family income, so it may be a much tougher sell for the average middle-class father to go out and spend or finance a load of money on a large and expensive toy like an airplane. I can't help but wonder if the same has happened with boating and the middle class? I always wonder why we don't see more families out there.

5th: After Ike finished off what was left of my old canvas, I was referred to Lee Shultz of "Yacht 2B Covered" for a canvas job. Lee did a nice job, so I wanted to put a plug here for him. He's listed under "Brokers/Services" to the left.

4th: Found out the hard way that the "underground" place I keep my runabout jacked their rates by about 10% effective December 1st. The fact that I had a reservation, had been quoted a price, and already paid the 1st month's rent didn't make a difference; I still got hit with the increase. I wish I had known in time to make other arrangements.

1st: It was a great day on the water with the fall colors at their best! Fuel was reported to be $2.45 upriver on the Indiana side. What a difference a few months makes! I'm still enjoying the $4.35 stuff that I last added.

Have you checked your batteries lately? Here is a picture of one that exploded while cranking a Crusader 454 block at Rose Island today. The owner reported that it was a lead/acid type battery that was hooked up to a converter system. He planned to top off the water levels later that day, and planned to replace the ship's batteries next spring, as he was not complelely sure of the age of the batteries when he purchased the vessel. Fortunately, the explosion was contained within the battery box and nobody was injured.

October, 2008

15th: I came across a great article written by Rob, the webmaster of Palm Beach Boating called "Why Boat?" See the Features link to the left...

12th: The site has seen an average of 500 unique visitors each month this summer...not a bad start! I have doubled the number of businesses listed under "Brokers/Services," and put an asterisk next to my favorites. This is not a rating system or paid advertising, but rather an indication of good customer service that I have experienced.

11th: The meltdown on Wall Street wasn't the end of the world after all, as was indicated by a multitude of boats on the water this weekend. We had a good time out, and were glad to see so many people enjoying the water.

Sometimes you wonder why the river gets a bad rap, then there are the times it doesn't take too much imagination. Below are two pictures taken at a downtown restaurant today. The water was as nice as we've seen it--that is, with the exception of the debris field at the docks at the restaurant--yuck!

September, 2008

27th: We anchored out at Mile 584. It was a little cool out today, so the delivery pizza from River's Edge Marina was a hit. The kids had fun with binoculars trying to spot the "pizza boat," and Bob showed up in his jet-boat with hot pizzas right on schedule. Bob wanted me to pass on that they are very close to getting approval to sell alcohol, and they plan to offer beers and local wines. Also, you'll be glad to know that they plan to stay open for the winter months.

26th: Details are firming up for the OUPV (6-Pack) Course in Louisville, see the "Home" link for more information.

22nd: Now we know what happens when a warm air mass, a cold air mass, and the remnants of hurricane IKE mix together. Locally, the max wind was 50 kts. steady with a 74 kt. gust. At least five boats sank on the Ohio River as a result of the waves from the winds swamping moored boats, and there is a lot of bent stainless and ripped canvas that will require repairs. The Fleur de Lis Regatta for sailors was cancelled on Sunday morning, and I got a first hand account from a sailor who had the pleasure of returning in 40 kt. winds. He reported that the wind was making spray off the top of the waves. Meanwhile, our marina filled with boaters whose homes were without power.

Below is a chart showing the winds on Sunday the 14th:

2nd: Saw tons of boats out there for the Labor Day weekend. Hope everybody had a great time! If you are reading this, you're a serious river boater, and will be glad to see all the extra boats from the lakes get winterized next week. Just kidding.

On a more serious note, several salts out there agree with me that there has been a pretty good degree of craziness out there. The next Featured Article will focus on courtesy and how to work with your fellow boaters. Meanwhile, stay safe, and don't do anything that would invite a "Courtesy Inspection" from our friends in uniform.

Lake Cumberland saw a weekend fataility involving alcohol, a landmass and a fast-moving boat. Tragic.

August, 2008

18th: There was a drowning in "The Cove" by Six Mile Island this past weekend. This is very tragic, and our thoughts and prayers will be with the families involved.

15th: I got to meet the Conrads, who purchased River's Edge Marina (Mile 584.6). They have a nice store set up with their fuel dock with everything from groceries, snacks, ice cream, pizza, hotdogs and hot wings to newspapers, marine supplies and bait. Their information is included under "Marinas & Fuel."

14th: The "Ask the Captains" section has been updated to reflect the questions we've been getting in. Send us your questions and we'll see what we can find out...

12th: George East put together a great set of tips for operating at night. Check it out under "Featured Articles "

9th: I stopped for fuel at a Fast-Pay pump on the river recently, and had the pump shut off after $75. I needed about 100 gallons, so I swiped the card every time I reached the 17 gallon limit. It worked for the first 5 times, then the pump froze. The work-around at a normal gas station would be to have an attendent swipe the card inside (or pay cash), which eliminates the limit. The guy in the boat next to us was complaining about the $75 limit, also. Following are some tidbits I have learned about this issue...

• The $75 is a standard credit card limit, and is equal to the amount a bank will pay a retailer for fraud. I was lucky to get five hits off the card before it froze (pump limit), as some banks freeze the cards after two hits as an anti-fraud measure.
• Heather's (Mile 589.9) has 24-hour pumps and is attended 10am-dusk, and an attendent can override the limit. You'll need to get their attention if they are launching boats from their lot.
• Another fuel option is Juniper Beach (Mile 597.0) at the entrance to Goose Creek. I spoke to Andy down there today, who told me that they are affiliated with BP and have much higher limits for boaters.

7th: Thanks to the two young men who ran over to help us dock at Heather's today! They appeared from nowhere, helped us tie off in the gusty wind, then disappeared. It was much appreciated. A cold front from the north rushed in some cool, dry air, making for a great night on the hook.

July, 2008

31st: I just received a copy of Jerry Hay's "Ohio River Guide Book," which was updated for 2008. If you plan to do any traveling, I would highly recommend it as an addition to the government charts. Jerry has cruised the river many times, and has provided exactly the kind of information one would need for planning a trip. See "Links/Resources" to the left. If you don't know Jerry, he lives locally and worked for years on the Delta Queen.

31st: See "Local Knowledge" for updated information on "The Cove" at Six Mile Island.

29th: Check out the new "Events" link located to the left. It's pretty myopic as of today, but I plan to grow the section as I learn of upcoming events.

28th: We enjoyed a few pizzas at the dock tonight from "Snappy Tomato" in Prospect. The driver said they deliver to the Louisville Yacht Club, Rose Island Yacht Club and Tartan's Landing. Send me your favorite delivery restaurant and I'll put it up here.

24th: Both the House and Senate passed S. 2766, "The Clean Boating Act of 2008." This restores a long-standing exemption for recreational boats from permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act. (Update: this was signed into law on the 30th.)

10th: We tried Cutter's Wharf (next to Rose Island and Heather's) last night. Grilled Salmon was yummy!

5th: Are you familiar with the Federal Emergency Mooring Buoys as depicted on the charts at Six Mile Island? Two weekends in a row now, houseboats on the island have been very close to mooring barges, and in one case, a houseboat was forced to relocate. Thirty years of houseboats using the island, and now this... See the "Local Knowledge" link to the left for more information.

June, 2008

15th: Father's Day--we went boating, of course. While parallel parking, I had a breeze off the dock that necessitated a missed-approach--I'm still ruined from driving the Axius-equipped Sundancer last week! A person on the bow would have saved us, but we didn't plan for the breeze.

9th: I spent a day at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. After eating a few crabcakes at Phillips, I spent $9 for an all day pass for the water taxi. They run until 11 p.m., and will take you all over the harbor. While riding to Fell's Point, I ran into a friend of a friend who was taking their kids for the same boat ride--small world. If you're down there, I'd recommend the Aquarium, Fell's Point and Fort McHenry for an afternoon of sightseeing.

I got to test drive a new Axius-equipped Sea Ray 330 Sundancer. See my report under "Ask the Captains" (link to left). Absolutely amazing technology!

Harrod's Creek Marine Supply has moved to a great location on River Road in Prospect. See "Resources."

May, 2008

29th: I helped sell a boat today--that is, I drove across town to see a little ski boat that I was interested in. There was already somebody there to see it, so when I got out my flashlight to look around, the other guy freaked-out and made an offer on the thing. Next...

We had company in town for the Memorial Day weekend, and we had everybody out in the boat on Sunday. The weather was winds calm, 75 degrees, with a crystal clear sky. I got my first ride in a new 15' Zodiac rigid-bottom inflatable--everybody needs one! Rant on: Three boats drove right over our anchor line at the bow--thanks for not cutting the thing. Also, thanks to the big Carver that went by everybody 50' away at max wake attitude. That was especially fun, but we're glad you got back to your marina in a hurry. Rant off.

My Axius demo is scheduled for next month--Can't wait!

There was an OUPV class scheduled for May in Louisville, but it was cancelled. The biggest issue seemed to be scheduling issues for attendees this time of year. I'd like to help set up a class locally for January '09. Click on the Feedback link above if you'd like more information. Winter time should be a great opportunity to talk boats for a week, learn something new, and knock out the class! Here is a link to the school...

I removed some old electronics from the bridge, leaving an extra hole in the panel. Thanks to both Smokey and the folks at Marine Sales and Service for ideas on making it look right. I plan to install a nice little plaque from a trophy shop that will look like it just came from the factory. Followup--it turned out great!

Rumor has it that the restaurant at Heather's will be open in May. I'll see if I can get confirmation on that one. The new yellow paint indicates something is happening over there.

On the "Marinas" page, I had to remove the satellite images with the arrows. As an alternative, I have linked to TerraServer, where you can play with the zoom and cruise up and down the river. Check it out...

My new neighbor at the marina stays busy with the USCG Auxiliary, and will help provide us with some good information. Thanks Rick!

April, 2008

As part of this year's Derby celebration, we got to see the Steamboat Race. First, we motored downtown to hear some of the calliope music, then we moved up to Six Mile Island. From there, we could see the Delta Queen and Belle of Louisville turn around before they returned downtown for the finish. The Delta Queen was much faster, but the Belle of Louisville pulled ahead with an early turn at Six Mile Island. Pretty sneaky!

I got a few calls recently from friends asking how to remove oxidation. Sounded like a good article (see "Ask the Captains)...

15th: Took the shrinkwrap off the boat!

Thunder Update: Heard that only a small handful of boats anchored out. Hope everybody had a safe and enjoyable time!

What's the newest word on the cove by Six Mile Island? Check the "Local Knowledge" tab for the latest scoop.

George East is on-board with helping provide some good articles for the site. His first will be tips on locking through. George has a wealth of information to offer us. Thank you, George.

We had a day with the kids off school, so we visited the "Howard Steamboat Museum" in Jeffersonville. There was a lot of very interesting riverboat history over there, and I'd recommend it for an educational stop. It's been added under the "Links" tab.

I called over to the McAlpine Locks to ask about their Visitor's Center, and was told that the new one, with a great view inside the chambers, should be open the first part of '09. This is the last part of their construction project

NOTE: The site is still in its infancy, so there are a few loose ends to clean up. For example, once some more permissions roll in, I'll be changing the "Yacht Brokers" tab to read "Brokers/Services," and will have more local marine businesses listed. I'm also considering adding an "Events" tab, so send me your information on things coming up on the water.

1st of April: I got a letter from the marina today. A lengthy article, in fact, about the new joint CG/State Police alcohol policy, dockside boarding procedures, and tamper proof holding tank macerator shutoff seals that invoke heavy fines if moved. Then there was some note about a beaver yanking my leg or something. April Fool's Day, and they got me good.

March, 2008

After thinking about launching this site for over two years, I finally got serious and created the shell. The objective here is to provide the types of resources that I wished I could have found over the years as I started cruising the Louisville area of the Ohio River.

Over the past few years, I needed hydrologic and meteorlogical information to make safe boating decisions. New to the river here, I found it hard to find information on marinas and where they were located. It was even harder finding slips for lease. While I knew about the Captain's Quarters and Buckheads, I didn't really know what else was available for a dinner date on the water. Also, as I searched for the neverending "next boat," I wished that links to brokers were easier to find.

In November of 2006, I registered the PortKY.com domain name. No doubt, it's a little quirky, but it is short and easy to remember. Obviously, I wish I had done this sooner, but during the past few years I have learned a lot and met some really good people along the way. These people have contributed ideas to help make this site what it is today. This site is for you, the Louisville area boater, so I welcome your feedback, information, and suggestions for the future.

*Disclosure per FTC Regulation: PortKY.com has received advertising revenue from True Courses Captain's School