Arkansas River Trip

[Posey]

Seadog is wanting to make a trip down the McClellan-Kerr Navigation Channel (Arkansas river)on August 1,2,3. I'm going to try and make it, how about you? Its a lot of fun, the more the better.

[pgf127rt]

Posey:
Seadog is wanting to make a trip down the McClellan-Kerr Navigation Channel (Arkansas river)on August 1,2,3. I'm going to try and make it, how about you? Its a lot of fun, the more the better. Posey, I have been dreaming about making this trip with y'all since the topic was first started, my boat is ready to go, but my work load is to the point that it is looking iffy.
I am a concrete contractor and we have been workinf 12 hours a day since early summer and there is no end in sight, since our business is highly competetive we have to get it while it is here or lose it so the decision is to work now and play later, which sucks.

[Seadog]

pgf127rt, hope you can make it. If not we will have you in our thoughts.

[OLDRAT]

All I can say is do it! We have been down to Ft. Smith once and to Little Rock once in my 23' Webbcraft, and have been to New Orleans by cruiser. The locks are awesome. If you have a VHF radio, you can call ahead (CH 16) to the lock master and determine status and wait times. Some barges will not let you lock thru with them due to certain cargo. Also, sailbotes have priority over powerboats, but not many of them on the channel.
Fuel stops are available at Lake Kerr, Ft. Smith, etc...etc. Recommend taking an extra fuel filter/separator, just in case. If possible, get you a "corpses of engineers" naviation map set, it is somewhat accurate on channels, depths, markers, mileage, etc. It saved my lab-finished prop on several occasions and assisted in calculating fuel mileage. As a note, it took me 176 gallons from start to Ft. Smith and back.
Oldrat
wasted days and wasted nights

[Posey]

I really hate to say it but it looks like I'm going to have to back out on the August river trip. To much shit going down, I'm thinking a fall trip might be better for me.
You guys have a good time and think about me....ya right!!

[Seadog]

It is beginning to look like a small trip. MY BIL burned up the drive on his cruiser so its out. He is going to ride with me, and my other BIL is meeting us at Kerr. Sorry you can't make it Posey.

[Posey]

It might be a small trip but I know you will enjoy it. I remember my first trip we called it "The Big Adventure" we had a hell of a time Just remember to stay between the bouys and you won't have any problems, except the lakes and then its no problem going outside the marked area. The folks at Applegate were super! really helped us with gear and such. I can't say much for the hospitality at Russelville State park, they were kinda assholes yuk I wanted to try Dardanelle State park the next time, which is across the lake. Did you check out www.swt.usace.army.mil/navigation/navcharts.htm
I downloaded each map and put them in waterproof sheet protectors and made me a notebook for reference. I always knew what was ahead of me. Let me know how it went and have a safe trip wink

[Seadog]

I have the book and have checked for updates on the net. They now have the Oklahoma side on color depth charts, but they don't go outside the channel.

[Boozer]

How long of a drive is this from Denver? Were exactly is the starting point. This sounds like something that would definitely be a lot of fun.

[Seadog]

Rogers Point is just east of Tulsa on Rt 66. It would be about 12 hours from Denver depending on factors.I-70 to Salina, south on I-135 to Wichita, I-35 to Hwy 412 (Cimmarron Turnpike), east to Tulsa. I can do Grand JUnction to Stillwater in most cases under 15 hours. Tulsa is an hour further east.