Dealer Highlight: Charm and Central Tennessee Thrills

Wakeboarder? Music lover? Nature seeker? A little bit of everything? Good—you’ll find your place at the heart of Tennessee.

This one-of-a-kind destination proves a worthy spot for locals and Southern trekkers alike… and it all comes together at Nashville’s Modern Marine, a must-do spot for those who want to see the Music City (and beyond!) by water.

Read on as we highlight this one-of-a-kind Vortex dealer, as well as some of the very best ways to travel Tennessee by boat, board or skis. Take a look.

A passion for excellence

Even before you hit the water in Central Tennessee, you’re greeted by a friendly face—the team at Modern Marine—who knows the place, and its waterways, inside and out.

For more than 65 years, Modern Marine has been essential to the Tennessee boating scene as the Opry is to country music. The tradition is best exemplified by the famous folks who have shown some love to Modern Marine—everyone from politicians to past presidents to country music stars, like Tim McGraw or Johnny Cash, who both brought home boats from here.

Of course, you don’t need to be a star to get the VIP treatment—in fact, for more than a decade, Modern Marine has earned the Chaparral #1 Service Award for its passion in getting boaters like you on the water, year after year.

Cruising the Cumberland River

Once you’ve stopped by Modern Marine to take a look at their boats (or to simply brush up on some local area insights), it’s time to take to the water yourself! You can start on the Cumberland River, which winds through Downtown Nashville—providing some pretty beautiful cityscape vistas—and gets wider as you go east, making it a top spot to pick up a wakeboard and ride.  You’ll love watching the change of scenery that characterizes the journey—you go from downtown views of the city to quaint waterfronts, to lush runs surrounded by nothing by tree-lined shores and the endless sky ahead.

Exploring Cordell Hull

When taking the Cumberland River, you’re sure to stumble upon a few choice spots. One of our favorite is the Cordell Hull Reservoir. About 50 miles east of the city, Cordell Hull offers a welcome chance to get back to nature. You can cap off your day by camping under the stars, or kick it off with some high-octane action on the water. Bring out your board or waterskis and ride the day away, and enjoy the allure of the scenery that surrounds you. Like much of the Cumberland River, Cordell Hull is pleasantly packed with greenery—you’ll find it on the gently sloping hills that frame the horizon here… and an experience so relaxing, you might just find inspiration for a song to bring back to Music City.

Finding a water sports haven at Center Hill Lake

Another Central Tennessee spot that is particularly known for its water sports affinity. Every summer, Center Hill Lake hosts WakeFest, a celebration of wakeboarding that features a tournament for riders of all ages and levels.

While WakeFest doesn’t kick off until July, however, you can still carve out some valuable practice time on the lake, located about an hour’s drive east from Nashville. You’ll find that the trip is a worthwhile one, though—wide expanses of sparkling blue water look like carryovers from the Caribbean, and gentle curves shaped by the lake’s islands provide exciting courses for your wakeboarding run. When you’re done sharpening your skills for the day, “secret” treasures await in the form of tucked-away falls that can be found all around the lake. You can switch your wakeboard for a paddleboard when you’re ready to explore these hidden gems, such as Fancher Falls, whose water gently spills down over an impressive stone wall into the turquoise water below. It’s a sight you might not expect to find in Tennessee… at least, if you didn’t know what to look for!

Ready to take the Music City by storm? Head over to Modern Marine’s Open House Celebration Sales Event on May 19^th to get connected—then see what this Southern gem has to offer for adventurers like you!