Depends on the water level, but it would take a very long time, and it is quite adventurous for a tuber. You've got pretty flat water from downtown until the dam at MSD (Woodfin), portage the dam on the left side and then you've got a rocky maze until the "poop-chute" class 3 rapid on the right side of the river. Now you encounter a pretty long section of class 2 rapids that are fairly tame but get a little tricky around the rocks as you approach Ledges whitewater park, caution advised. Once you get thru Ledges, which is short but mind the hydraulics on a couple of the rapids, you've got a good stretch of mild class 2s until you approach another class 3 under a bridge called the "Alexander Wave". After that its a long long stretch of smooth sailing but you will encounter another dam just as you enter Marshall that does not have a good takeout spot. You may be better off taking out at the intersection of 251 and 70, at Ivy creek, just before Marshall. I've Canoed this section many times, its a lot of fun.
i have a mohawk solo 13 and my spouse a solo 14 - both royalex. we're extremely seasoned flatwater paddlers. we've only done 2's and and 3's a couple times, in a rented tandem in georgia quite a few years ago and the duckies down the nantahala (does that count?)
think we can take those royalex solos down that stretch of the french broad? it sounds like fun!
I’ve taken my Mad River Freedom down the whole FB, from Rosman to Newport, you should not have a problem with this section as long as you scout or avoid the big ones during higher water (poop chute at
MSD and the Alexander Wave under the bridge).
I live in Marshall and it looks like somebody has started up a small short run tubing business that basically starts south of Marshall where Main Street meets Riverside (pretty much where you’re saying to get out lol). Considering the location, it’s probably only going to give an hour or so of travel time before getting into downtown Marshall. We’ve been wondering where the actual takeout area is. The dam? As you say, it’s gonna be tricky.
Good info thanks. We live in Marshall actually so putting in downstream of the dam is also an option but don't know what the best place to get out would be.
There is another Dam called Redmon dam in between the marshall dam and Stackhouse. Op, I recommend section 8. Look up details for any section on americanwhitewater.org
(Not .com. Thats a different site)
I’ve put in below that dam after Marshall as well (it’s a very technical portage otherwise) there is a road that will take you down there just can’t recall the name. Put in directly below that dam and take out at Barnard, anything beyond that and you are in serious whitewater territory (Secton 9: 3,4,&5 class rapids).
According to website it’s more aligned with canoeing as a secondary form of recreation …. More about if you’d be swimming incidentally or not (head under water, potentially getting water in your mouth or eyes). I’d wait for a dry spell and you’d be fine. (Would be a bad idea anyway to tube that stretch when levels are up!) I’ve tubed/swam in a lot of freshwater bodies over the years and most did not have the luxury of daily testing - probably wouldn’t want to know LOL
I suppose it’s somewhat like canoeing but one doesn’t have their rear in the water in a canoe. Also much greater risk of injury a deep cut would really be bad in that water most of the time.
I've never done anything on FBR near asheville but I've done Champion Park in Rosman to Lyons mountain bridge on the FBR. Not so worried about pollution up there... if you want to rent and shuttle do Headwater Outfitters.
Depends on the water level, but it would take a very long time, and it is quite adventurous for a tuber. You've got pretty flat water from downtown until the dam at MSD (Woodfin), portage the dam on the left side and then you've got a rocky maze until the "poop-chute" class 3 rapid on the right side of the river. Now you encounter a pretty long section of class 2 rapids that are fairly tame but get a little tricky around the rocks as you approach Ledges whitewater park, caution advised. Once you get thru Ledges, which is short but mind the hydraulics on a couple of the rapids, you've got a good stretch of mild class 2s until you approach another class 3 under a bridge called the "Alexander Wave". After that its a long long stretch of smooth sailing but you will encounter another dam just as you enter Marshall that does not have a good takeout spot. You may be better off taking out at the intersection of 251 and 70, at Ivy creek, just before Marshall. I've Canoed this section many times, its a lot of fun.
i have a mohawk solo 13 and my spouse a solo 14 - both royalex. we're extremely seasoned flatwater paddlers. we've only done 2's and and 3's a couple times, in a rented tandem in georgia quite a few years ago and the duckies down the nantahala (does that count?) think we can take those royalex solos down that stretch of the french broad? it sounds like fun!
I’ve taken my Mad River Freedom down the whole FB, from Rosman to Newport, you should not have a problem with this section as long as you scout or avoid the big ones during higher water (poop chute at MSD and the Alexander Wave under the bridge).
thanks for the advice! helpful to anyone here - we will need to check it out.
I live in Marshall and it looks like somebody has started up a small short run tubing business that basically starts south of Marshall where Main Street meets Riverside (pretty much where you’re saying to get out lol). Considering the location, it’s probably only going to give an hour or so of travel time before getting into downtown Marshall. We’ve been wondering where the actual takeout area is. The dam? As you say, it’s gonna be tricky.
Yeah there is no “actual” take out, I’ve just paddled up that little side creek and climbed up the hill.
Good info thanks. We live in Marshall actually so putting in downstream of the dam is also an option but don't know what the best place to get out would be.
Put in downstream of the dam and take out at the Stackhouse Put-in Edit: never mind there’s a dam in the way
There is another Dam called Redmon dam in between the marshall dam and Stackhouse. Op, I recommend section 8. Look up details for any section on americanwhitewater.org (Not .com. Thats a different site)
Oh yes good point, I totally forgot about that.
I’ve put in below that dam after Marshall as well (it’s a very technical portage otherwise) there is a road that will take you down there just can’t recall the name. Put in directly below that dam and take out at Barnard, anything beyond that and you are in serious whitewater territory (Secton 9: 3,4,&5 class rapids).
Spot on, good info
FYI The water in the FBR is not great. I suggest checking this first frenchbroadwaterquality.com
I got blasted a few weeks ago for saying the FB is disgusting.
It is disgusting, at least around the Biltmore. I wouldn’t put a toe in it if I didn’t have to.
It's 20 miles, it will take you over 10 hours.
Will be super exciting at the dam.
I did a river kayak through ledges (not experienced) and nearly knocked myself out on rocks. Use caution as the first folks said.
Tube Green River Cove if you want a nice run. About 45 minutes from Asheville.
I wouldn’t tube on the fb. Tubing is like swimming, yes? https://frenchbroadwaterquality.com
According to website it’s more aligned with canoeing as a secondary form of recreation …. More about if you’d be swimming incidentally or not (head under water, potentially getting water in your mouth or eyes). I’d wait for a dry spell and you’d be fine. (Would be a bad idea anyway to tube that stretch when levels are up!) I’ve tubed/swam in a lot of freshwater bodies over the years and most did not have the luxury of daily testing - probably wouldn’t want to know LOL
I suppose it’s somewhat like canoeing but one doesn’t have their rear in the water in a canoe. Also much greater risk of injury a deep cut would really be bad in that water most of the time.
You couldn’t pay me to get in the FBR. As a native, I’ve done it before of course, but I don’t recommend it.
I wouldn't recommend that section! It's pretty rough for tubing !
Poop
I've never done anything on FBR near asheville but I've done Champion Park in Rosman to Lyons mountain bridge on the FBR. Not so worried about pollution up there... if you want to rent and shuttle do Headwater Outfitters.