We arrived at Aqua Yacht Harbor in Iuka, MS at the mouth of the Tenn-Tom for
bottom work and repairs this past Monday.  We had a fantastic cruise from
Chattanooga with only one dilemma - air in the fuel lines.  After calls to
Diesel Don, we followed his instructions and removed the air from the port
engine but failed on the starboard.  Don came down to Florence Harbor Marina
where we were and got it started in no time.  God bless Diesel Don!  Don has
done a lot of work for us in the past and is about as good as they come. He is
expensive but you can bet your life or boat on his work.
Tom Synder, the service manager at Aqua, is equally competent in his field
and is very attentive to his clients.  He loans out a service truck to us
almost daily - they also have courtesy vans - just for us to have some sort of
transportation.  We are staying in a two bedroom cabin with all the comforts
of home - washer-dryer, dishwasher, TV-VCR, etc. while our boat is out of the
water.  Last night we went to a unique restaurant Tom told us about - Pickwick
Cat Fish Farm located in the Counce township in the southwest corner of TN.
It was in a small cinder block old house.  We think we ate in the garage part.
Despite the poor but interesting ambience, the smoked cat fish was
outstanding.  We met the 80 year old owners and talked with them extensively.
They ship smoked cat fish throughout the country and are recommended by "Food
Finds" TV Food. com.  Cat fish ponds are close by but they do not farm them
any more.
Aqua boat yard is a very busy place and has a reputation for top notch work.
Tom meets with us almost daily to discuss the repairs needed and how his staff
will go about doing them. We expect to be here throughout September. Hopefully
when we leave our older boat will be in pretty good shape for the long journey
ahead.
If any boaters doing the loop stop by here on their way down or up, please
give us a holler.  We will be leaving around the first  or second week of
October to cruise to Fairhope, AL for the Loopers Rendezvous.
Any on you that have cruised down the Tenn-Tom to Mobile,  did you anchor out
and where?  Did you have to set two anchors?  There are some long passages at
the lower end with no marinas available.  We only average about 10 kts and do
about 40 - 60 miles a day so anchoring out is a definite option.  Thanks for
your help and smooth sailing ahead to everyone.
Jane, Kerry and Sun Dog
Aboard Diamond Sun
Hatteras 50 MY

I also had a great experience with Tom Snyder and Aqua Yacht.  I bought my
Carver from someone up there and Tom and his crew helped with the survey and
related repairs.  During this time they were very helpful and hospitable.
You'll also find a guy there on H dock named Kelly Beyer who lives on his
houseboat and is always helpful and friendly.  If you run into him tell him
I said hello.

Regarding your journey down to Mobile, at 40-60 miles per day you'll have to
plan to spend some time sleeping on the hook.  On the way down be sure to
spend some time with the folks at Demopolis Yacht Basin--another group of
great helpful folk.

Edward Savela
MV Isabella
Goose Pond, Alabama
Tennessee River MM 378

-----Original Message-----
From: trawler-world-great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawler-world-great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com]On Behalf Of
Kerry and Jane Alexander
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:22 AM
To: Great Loop Post
Subject: TWGL: Hello from Iuka, MS

We arrived at Aqua Yacht Harbor in Iuka, MS at the mouth of the Tenn-Tom for
bottom work and repairs this past Monday.  We had a fantastic cruise from
Chattanooga with only one dilemma - air in the fuel lines.  After calls to
Diesel Don, we followed his instructions and removed the air from the port
engine but failed on the starboard.  Don came down to Florence Harbor Marina
where we were and got it started in no time.  God bless Diesel Don!  Don has
done a lot of work for us in the past and is about as good as they come. He
is
expensive but you can bet your life or boat on his work.
Tom Synder, the service manager at Aqua, is equally competent in his field
and is very attentive to his clients.  He loans out a service truck to us
almost daily - they also have courtesy vans - just for us to have some sort
of
transportation.  We are staying in a two bedroom cabin with all the comforts
of home - washer-dryer, dishwasher, TV-VCR, etc. while our boat is out of
the
water.  Last night we went to a unique restaurant Tom told us about -
Pickwick
Cat Fish Farm located in the Counce township in the southwest corner of TN.
It was in a small cinder block old house.  We think we ate in the garage
part.
Despite the poor but interesting ambience, the smoked cat fish was
outstanding.  We met the 80 year old owners and talked with them
extensively.
They ship smoked cat fish throughout the country and are recommended by
"Food
Finds" TV Food. com.  Cat fish ponds are close by but they do not farm them
any more.
Aqua boat yard is a very busy place and has a reputation for top notch
work.
Tom meets with us almost daily to discuss the repairs needed and how his
staff
will go about doing them. We expect to be here throughout September.
Hopefully
when we leave our older boat will be in pretty good shape for the long
journey
ahead.
If any boaters doing the loop stop by here on their way down or up, please
give us a holler.  We will be leaving around the first  or second week of
October to cruise to Fairhope, AL for the Loopers Rendezvous.
Any on you that have cruised down the Tenn-Tom to Mobile,  did you anchor
out
and where?  Did you have to set two anchors?  There are some long passages
at
the lower end with no marinas available.  We only average about 10 kts and
do
about 40 - 60 miles a day so anchoring out is a definite option.  Thanks for
your help and smooth sailing ahead to everyone.
Jane, Kerry and Sun Dog
Aboard Diamond Sun
Hatteras 50 MY

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