Boating/Boaters in Memphis (Sardis: rent, restaurants, bars)

[bigman123]

Hi all,

I am relocating from Chicago to the Memphis area (Hernando). I've looked and search for information about pleasure boating in Memphis and have come up empty.

Are there any waterfront resteraunt, bars, or marinas in the area. Places where you can take your boat out on the water, pull up, and have a drink or maybe dinner. In Chicago we have a few Marinas that have resteraunts and night clubs along the rivers. Does Memphis, or any town in the area, have anything similar?

Ive been to Memphis 3 times in the past year. I was once told by a local that there was a Joes Crab Shack that was on the water, but I was not able to locate it. During my visits, I came to the conclusion that the river is not utilized much in Memphis. Am I right, or is it that I just don't know where to look.

ANY additional information would be appreciated........

[Pearlbob]

No, nothing like this. You mean off the river? The river isn't really a "boating" river It's a high traffic river, lots of barges. Fast current, not safe. I guess I've seen a couple private boats once in a while, but it garnered a lot of "what the heck are they doing" types of looks. Some people down on the island have some (I think) but it's not a typical thing by any means.

Joes Crab Shack closed a long time ago. It wasn't "on the water" either. This isn't like a beach front town. We're up on the bluff, so the river is down lower than the city. The river can flood, so nothing is built down low like that. Oh, except for the entire Harbortown area.

I sound negative. But seriously, this isn't that type of area. There are plenty of lakes and other rivers that people travel to for weekend trips though, if it's something that you are seriously interested in.

[bigman123]

Thanks for the help clearing this up for me.

You don't sound negative. You seem to be simply stating the facts. I did see quite a few boaters in the water near the down town area. I was at what appeared to be the river walk area, near a visitor center, and across from what appeared to be a concert hall on the other side of the river. I think it was Mud Island.


Again, thanks.....

[UofMGrad92]

There are quite a few boats at the Mud Island marina, and I'm sure the people who own them use them for pleasure boating in the river. I don't think I could stand the stress of worrying about the barges, the trees floating just under the surface, and the fast current that would be terrifying if someone fell overboard or the motor quit on you.

Pickwick and Wilson Lake (on the Tennessee River in Northeast Mississippi and West/Middle Tennessee for Pickwick and Northwest Alabama for Wilson) do have lots of expensive boats and pleasure boaters. While there is a lot of barge traffic on the Tennessee River, it doesn't get near the amount as the Mississippi and the current is much tamer due to all the dams on it. This link has some info about restaurants in the area, and at least a couple of them seemed to indicate you could park your boat at a dock and come eat:

http://www.pickwickoutdoors.com/pages_p/eats_clubs.html

It would be a couple hours drive from Memphis or Hernando to either one of these places. If I had a bigger pleasure boat, I'd rent a slip in a marina over that way and head over on the weekends. You'll find there are lots of people from this area who do that, and hopefully one of them is on this board and give you better advice and info than I can.

[bigman123]

It seems the places you mentioned are about a 2 1/2hr drive from Memphis. Not that bad. It certainly appears it would be worth the ride.

[2nomadic4me]

Sardis is straight down Lamar.

I skied on the river when I was young and stupid.

[hawkster]

I had a 22 foot powerboat, I put it in the river down by mud island....Bad mistake. The water is muddy (duh) and going back upstream required half throttle just to maintain my location. The river moves fast.

My in - laws have a place at Picwick. Less than 90 minutes from my house, all kinds of boats, relaxing, etc. Give it a whirl