Tennessee’s largest lakes are artificial reservoirs, with the 160,000-acre Kentucky Lake, the 53,000-acre Norris Lake and the 39,000-acre Watts Bar Lake among the most popular boating destinations in the state. The biggest marina on Kentucky Lake is the KY Dam Marina, where you can set sail from 350 boat-slips to fish for sauger, catfish and bluegill, while at the Kentucky Lake Sailing Club you can observe or participate in a regular calendar of regattas and races held throughout the year. There’s 809 miles of oak-lined shore that runs alongside Norris Lake, with Stardust Marina, a 500-slip facility, the lake’s largest full-service destination. At Watts Bar Lake, meanwhile, check out Blue Springs Marina to set out on your speedboat or rental boat from 260 wet slips. Tennessee’s biggest natural lake, however, is Reelfoot Lake, a 10,427-acre body of water formed by an earthquake in 1811. Extremely shallow with an average depth of just 5-foot and perfect for flat-bottomed Johnboats, this watercourse is a popular fishing spot with crappie, bluegill and bass on the menu.
If you want to combine an exciting city break with your boating trip then head to the Country Music Mecca of Nashville. Popular boating spots here include the wide Cumberland River, just a short drive from Downtown, where the 240-slip Blue Turtle Bay Marina and the 201-slip Drakes Creek Marina await. Or explore historic Chattanooga in the morning and boat on Chickamuaga Lake in the afternoon, with a trio of large marinas offering access direct onto the water. Also available on the shores of Chickamuaga is the Privateer Yacht Club, a welcoming sailing institution that is one of the state’s oldest and most revered.
The recreational boating industry is worth well over $6.5 billion dollars to the Tennessee economy each year, with this state known for being one of the boat-building capitals of the world. The planet’s second largest boat-builder, the Brunswick Boat Group, is located in the Knoxville area, as are Malibu Boats, the world’s largest 7th in its sector, and Mastercraft Boat Holdings, the 13th largest. In fact in total there are 16 major yacht-builders dotted in and around the city, with yet more builders headquartered elsewhere in the state. Not bad going for a state that is more than 280 miles from the ocean at its nearest point.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
