Advance Party to Sail
The Vol Navy includes craft from near and far. One that’s from afar actually stays near.
Julie and Gary Moffatt of Chapin, South Carolina, near Columbia, dock their 42-foot houseboat behind Calhoun’s on the River before the first home game of each football season. Then they commute from Chapin to Knoxville by car on football weekends. In the off-season, the boat is docked at Fort Loudon dam near Knoxville.
The annual trip from the dam to Calhoun’s takes about five hours, and the Moffatts make a party of it.
“We usually make it a big trip and invite family and friends along,” says Julie. “Last year, we had 21 people and two dogs.” This year’s “repositioning cruise” is set for Aug. 19.
The Moffatts are Jimmy Buffett fans, and the boat’s name, Southeast of Disorder, comes from a line in a Buffett song. Julie, who was a student from 1973-76, is on the board of the Columbia UT alumni chapter. She is an interior decorator and photographer.
Being part of the Vol Navy is the perfect way to experience a game, she says.
“Calhoun’s is always packed, sometimes with opposing fans. We have met some great people. We even had some Georgia fans trying to make friends so they could come on board. We have a rule now, no Georgia fans! We usually get to Knoxville on Friday afternoon. Then on game day, we have a giant party all day. We put the TV on the upper deck so everyone can watch the games before ours. Some of the diners at Calhoun’s appreciate this! Our biggest game is usually South Carolina, since we live here and one of our daughters graduated from there. But on that day she cheers for Tennessee. We brought our girls up right!”
Julie was part of a big family that lived in South Knoxville. She says her mom and dad would go to football games, leaving the children home to listen on the radio.
“When Tennessee made a touchdown, we’d run out and hear the roar of the crowd and the cannon blast. We’ve always loved Tennessee football. We love it even more now being part of the Vol Navy.”
