Ohio River between Louisville and Cincinnati?

[Shawn Weatherly]

I am moving to KY from CA. Anyone have experience boating near Westport in this area of the river? Thanks in advance.

 

[2kwik4u]

I am moving to KY from CA. Anyone have experience boating near Westport in this area of the river? Thanks in advance.

@sunbyrned and I are the only locals I know of on the boards. We've been PM'ing already. I might copy that first message here for public viewing if that's cool with you.

 

[sunbyrned]

@sunbyrned and I are the only locals I know of on the boards. We've been PM'ing already. I might copy that first message here for public viewing if that's cool with you.

Great! Welcome to KY! We’ll be glad to show you around. There are other Yamaha boaters out there but I don’t see them on the forum.

 

[Shawn Weatherly]

@sunbyrned and I are the only locals I know of on the boards. We've been PM'ing already. I might copy that first message here for public viewing if that's cool with you.

Definitely. Very useful for future boaters

 

[jsg73]

There is always Lake Cumberland a few hours SE and KY Lake 3ish hours west.

 

[2kwik4u]

There is always Lake Cumberland a few hours SE and KY Lake 3ish hours west.

Lots of other lakes closer than that as well. Rough, Nolin, Green, Barren, Patoka, Taylorsville <--All of those are great.

 

[2kwik4u]

Westport is nice. Aunt has a place on the river about 4 doors down from the ramp there in Westport. We spend a weekend there a couple times a year. If you go north a bit, just south of Bethlehem IN is the Nugent Sand plant. LOTS of people go in that little cover that has been created there, and beach/hang out. It's sometimes shallow getting in, but I've never had an issue in my Yamaha with it. The water NORTH of the I-265 bridge is usually pretty clean and clear. The further north you go the cleaner/clearer it gets. I can see my feet in the water once you get up around the Carrolton power plant. I won't get in the water at all south of the I-265 bridge.

Captains quarters is interesting. On a busy weekend you'll be hard pressed to find a spot. Sometimes you have to make some friends and "double park" if you really want in there. Our 190 is TINY and super maneuverable, so I've snuck into the dock a few times between some REALLY large cruisers and been able to tie off. The further you are into Harrods Creek the better, for safety from wakes/etc. Every single time I've docked there I get debris in the pump. Just the nature of the location I think. Might be an issue with the Chaparral, I just have to stop and cleanout with the Yamaha. CQ offers dockside ordering. Wife and I were there Sept of '20 and got some appetizers and a few drinks brought out to us. That was nice.

Here's the takeaway

There are a couple of other places on the water that you can eat, but they are few and far between. Was a LOT more options 10yrs ago or so

Captains Quarters
Cunninghams Creekside (further up Harrods Creek)
Summers on the river has takeout, and a dock to stop at to pick it up.
Joes Crab Shack in downtown will do takeout. Best bet is to dock at the waterfront park and walk over unless the river is at the right height to grab a GIANT bollard out front. Even then it's sketchy for a small boat.
Jeffersonville has a nice little downtown area with bars and food and such, but you have to park at the public docks and walk up. I've never had a problem leaving the boat tied off, but others aren't a fan of it.

Duffys Landing and Cox's park are both perfectly acceptable launches to get on the water in downtown. Crowd is a little "rougher" at Cox's park, but I've never had an issue. Lots of people like to drive and sit on the ramp and look at the water for some reason. Watch the curbs, the driving lanes aren't wide, and I've seen a TON of curbed trailers and trucks because of it. We're out of Georgetown, IN, and typically use Cox's park as it's closer to the expressway and an easier tow in than Duffys Landing. About the same time, just a few miles further for us.

Overall, we don't spend a TON of time on the river. Usually it's "date night" or "Friends night" where we're more concerned about socializing than swimming. If we intend to be IN the water, have the kids with us, or want watersports, we'll go to one of the local lakes instead. Rough, Nolin, Patoka, Green, Taylorsville, and Monroe are all within ~2hrs or less from us. Plenty of options.

 

[Ohio river Jet boater 502]

I spend 90% of my time boating in the Ohio with my Yamaha ar 210 I have a dock right next to the boat club in the Rivera neighborhood. Party cove is great and there almost every weekend. I usually skip captain quarters and got to Cunninghams for a quick bite to eat or drink as most of the time CQ is so crowded but they do offer dockside food and drinks which is nice Cunningham is hit or miss with dockside ordering but you can walk up and order no issue. The only time I have sucked something up has been in when I’m docked at CQ or Cunninghams so keep that mind but in the Yamaha I just use the clean out ports so no issues. As @2kwik4u mentioned water is cleaner past 265 bridge I spend most of my time at party cove or 12 mile island and beach it. As far putting the boat in at CQ they have a ramp you can use for 200 a year and I suggest it, it’s the only ramp I use as you get to put it the creek where there is no current, I used to use cox park but the wife had a hard time getting it on the trailer CQ ramp makes it so much easier and saves us from yelling at each other hahaha it’s usually not busy at the CQ ramp as Iv used it 100s of times and only had to wait for someone once. I only keep my boat in my dock 2 weeks max and pull it out to clean it and dry it out for a coupon of days before putting it back in, the river definitely will get it dirty quick. The lakes around the area are great as well but since I live right on the Ohio and can walk to my dock in under 2 minutes it’s just so convenient I boat the Ohio.

 

[Shawn Weatherly]

Thank you for the replies. We bought a lake front at rough river and have been keeping the boat there in our dock. Have been on the Ohio a couple times. Got lucky and found a spot at CQ but also the next day went to Harrods creek tavern. It was a blast. Looking to go on a trip up river to Madison and maybe to Cincinnati. Any advise or tips? I have a hand held marine radio but nothing mounted on the boat. Would be putting in at Westport boat ramp. Thank you guys.

 

[sunbyrned]

Madison is a great little town to eat. Lots of cool restaurants and bars. There are basically three places to dock. You’ll come to the marina first. I’ve never docked there but I’m told you can rent golf carts and run around town in them. That would be worth a call to find out. I’ve docked at the next two places. One is a dock attached to a floating restaurant and bar. You can get to the town from there but they want you to buy something of course. The third place are the public docks. Those are good but may be full. I used to go up there just for fun, but that’s when gas prices were a lot lower. Probably not so much fun anymore. Ha! I’m heading to Florence, Indiana in September to see Bret Michaels in concert at a Casino. The plan is to stop at Madison to eat and gas up. Go through the locks (which I’ve never done before) and end up at the casino. Watch the show, etc. stay the night and return the next day. Westport seems like the perfect place to put in for this trip. Also, if you put in at CQ’s or Cox again, consider going to the Indiana side just across from Louisville. Jeffersonville, IN has a lot of fun places to eat within walking distance of the docks. There are two sets of docks which get you to different places to eat, so figure out where you want to go before docking. Here’s the casino website if you want to consider doing this trip sometime.

Explore Belterra Casino Resort

Belterra is your Indiana Casino located close to Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis. Join us for non-stop fun, entertainment, dining and gaming promotions.

www.belterracasino.com

 

[Jjones-stevens_2020]

Anyone in the Madison area willing to take my parents on a quick trip? They were supposed to be on the rockin thunder river tour but drove 3 hours to Madison to only find out today that they cancelled. So they are there until Sunday. They aren’t able to take vacations often and would greatly appreciate it. They would compensate and it would mean the world to them. If anyone is interested, (765) 721-7146 is my phone number.

Apologies this is a weird ask, but just searched “Madison indiana” and saw this.

 

[sunbyrned]

Gosh, I wish I could help. Not the best weekend for me though. Plus, I’m in Louisville. However, we have river boat cruises too. We’re 35 miles by car from Madison. Maybe they can look into the possibility of the Bell of Louisville. Here’s the link. I wish I could do more.

https://belleoflouisville.org/

 

[2kwik4u]

Anyone in the Madison area willing to take my parents on a quick trip? They were supposed to be on the rockin thunder river tour but drove 3 hours to Madison to only find out today that they cancelled. So they are there until Sunday. They aren’t able to take vacations often and would greatly appreciate it. They would compensate and it would mean the world to them. If anyone is interested, (765) 721-7146 is my phone number.

Apologies this is a weird ask, but just searched “Madison indiana” and saw this.

I would, but I'm in Missouri this weekend.

Have them check with the Belle of Louisville. They do dinner cruises and are within a 40min drive or so.

 

[Shawn Weatherly]

Madison is a great little town to eat. Lots of cool restaurants and bars. There are basically three places to dock. You’ll come to the marina first. I’ve never docked there but I’m told you can rent golf carts and run around town in them. That would be worth a call to find out. I’ve docked at the next two places. One is a dock attached to a floating restaurant and bar. You can get to the town from there but they want you to buy something of course. The third place are the public docks. Those are good but may be full. I used to go up there just for fun, but that’s when gas prices were a lot lower. Probably not so much fun anymore. Ha! I’m heading to Florence, Indiana in September to see Bret Michaels in concert at a Casino. The plan is to stop at Madison to eat and gas up. Go through the locks (which I’ve never done before) and end up at the casino. Watch the show, etc. stay the night and return the next day. Westport seems like the perfect place to put in for this trip. Also, if you put in at CQ’s or Cox again, consider going to the Indiana side just across from Louisville. Jeffersonville, IN has a lot of fun places to eat within walking distance of the docks. There are two sets of docks which get you to different places to eat, so figure out where you want to go before docking. Here’s the casino website if you want to consider doing this trip sometime.

Explore Belterra Casino Resort

Belterra is your Indiana Casino located close to Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis. Join us for non-stop fun, entertainment, dining and gaming promotions.

www.belterracasino.com

Damn, that would be a fun trip. Have to look into that. Bret Michaels still puts on a show for the people.

 

[sunbyrned]

Damn, that would be a fun trip. Have to look into that. Bret Michaels still puts on a show for the people.

Come join join us. We’re actually friends with Bret’s photographer, so he’s going with us too. I think we’re going to get the special treatment.