Has anyone cruised the Mississippi River

[JWH2050]

The last year we have made the trip from Webber Falls Ok to Rosedale Ms on the Arkansas River (not all at once). It was a great way to see the country. There are several state parks along the river we stayed at. Our next trip we wanted to go from Memphis to New Orleans. Has anyone out there made this trip? If so did you just pull off to the side for the night or did you try to tie up for the night. Any info would be helpful. We intend to go when it gets a little cooler. Our last trip was at the end of March first of April. Both rivers were in flood stage but we had no problems getting around. The only problem came up when we had trouble with the steering on the boat. I have replaced the steering controls and we are ready to set out.

 

[sailaway78]

I would highly recommend

I would think you would do much much better doing the Tom Bigbee down to Mobile Bay. The Mississippi is not going to be very boater friendly below St.Louis. An unbelievable amount of barge traffic, very very few places to tie up for the night, fuel hard to find. The Tom Bigbee is a much more relaxed and easier run. From Mobile Bay over to New Orleans, if you want to go there, is some nice sailing, and easy going, with plenty of places to stop.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Yes, I've cruised the Mississippi. It's where my home port is.

I'm so far north that my experience won't help for the stretch of river you are interested in.

 

[MoonSailer]

Even on the Tenn-tom you might get scared with the barges. I made the trip from Pickwick lake to Panama city this year.

 

[Chuckbear]

The Mississippi is full of commercial traffic, very, very little in the way of facilities for pleasure boats, very strong currents and no place to anchor. Why in the world would you want to "cruise" under those conditions?