Tell me again about Mark Twain??

[littlelambie]

We leave on Sunday (!!!!!) and I am trying to remember all of the hints and tips I have gotten from here. I can't recall how to get ds to drive the Mark Twain. Thanks!!

 

[HydroGuy]

We leave on Sunday (!!!!!) and I am trying to remember all of the hints and tips I have gotten from here. I can't recall how to get ds to drive the Mark Twain. Thanks!!

You just need to be first to ask, and it is pretty much first come, first served as far as going to the captain's area.

We did it in summer 2005, and they did not let us drive the boat, but instead let us ring the bell and blow the whistle. We were not even close to being first on board, but we must have been the first to ask because they sent us right up. Most people do not know about it.

FWIW, here is a photo link of the experence with my four boys and CM Frank (the captain) who was just great - http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/934438/4/42784122

 

[merlinsgang]

We wre able to board when there was a small crowd. I asked the CM at the gate told to go up to ask the captain. If you board at the front of the boat, go up to the top level and look for the door marked PRIVATE under the wheelhouse. We did not get and answer to the knock right away, but there are no windows in the wheelhouse, so I called up to the captain and she came down to open the door. Our boys, 7 & 9, had a great time "steering" around the rocks and blowing the whistle. Found out later from my MIL who sat outside by the door that another lady kept rattling the doorknob while were up there.

 

[The Maughan's]

We just did this last week. I just asked the CM when we boarded if my boys could drive the boat. He said sure and walked us up to the cabin. It was a great experience. I hadn't forwarned my kids or hubby because I was afraid they might not let them drive....so they were really suprised and excited. My five year old really thought he was steering the boat and was so careful not to bump into anything!! LOL!!

 

[HydroGuy]

We just did this last week. I just asked the CM when we boarded if my boys could drive the boat. He said sure and walked us up to the cabin. It was a great experience. I hadn't forwarned my kids or hubby because I was afraid they might not let them drive....so they were really suprised and excited. My five year old really thought he was steering the boat and was so careful not to bump into anything!! LOL!!

When we did it the captain told us that the wheel does in fact steer the boat. The MT is free floating and does not have an underwater guide or anything.

 

[The Maughan's]

When we did it the captain told us that the wheel does in fact steer the boat. The MT is free floating and does not have an underwater guide or anything.

WHAT???? My son was pretty much turning the wheel the wrong direction the entire time and the boat always went right where it was supposed to. And he amazingly pulled it right up to the dock without and problems. The captain never even touched the wheel. He just pushed a few buttons to turn on the automated annoucements now and then. There in no way my son could have steered that boat all by himself. There has to be some kind of automation or something.

 

[iceskatejen]

There is a track that the Mark Twain and Columbia both use. I've seen the river drained and yes, there is a track. I've also seen the switch they use when they're putting in or taking out one of the boats from the dock area (Fowler's Inn area) get stuck and they had to send divers out to fix it. Ok, I didn't actually see the switch get stuck (as the water is not exactly clear), but I was able to tell because the boats weren't moving (except maybe backwards back to the load dock) and I've heard CMs on radios saying the track switch was stuck. I have seen the divers in the water working on the swithc, though. I hope they get paid really well for that--that water is gross.