Traveling the USA

[LKYusnret]

The wife and I want to motor-sail from NC on the ICW south down east Florida coast to the Keys and along the Gulf coast to the Mississippi Delta, up the Mississippi to the Great Lakes to Lake Ontario to the Erie Canal to the Hudson River down the East coast and back south on the ICW and NC. I figure about a year. Can it be done? Have trailor will travel. I'm looking for information or any organizations that are into this type of trip. The wife and I have done some motor-sailing on the ICW in Fl and NC , Lake Erie-Niagra River, and sailed to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. John and Anita, Baums Rush

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Are you saying by boat alone?

or combo road/water?There are lots of organizations for the "Great Loop", which is really what you describe. Don't have them with me, but do a google search on Great Loop and you'll find a host of them - of course they are water only trips as far as I know.

 

[Malcolm Young]

Great Loop Cruising

There is a cruising club (America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA)) dedicated to just what you are talking about see - http://www.greatloop.com/ While cruising last year I met a number of members.In addition there are a lot of related web sites - see http://www.konshak.com/GreatLoop.htm

 

[Rick Webb]

Sound Like a Good Time

I wonder though is it easier to go down the Mississippi rather than up? Either way look us up when you get here.

 

[LKYusnret]

I am talking

about all the way on the water, if just for the bragging rights, LOL This would be a good start for the wife and I to get our feet wet, plan on buying 38 to 42 footer and sail around the world the year after the great loop.

 

[LKYusnret]

Thanks

Don, Malcolm, Rick, did the search and found what I was looking for.John

 

[Steve Kamp]

Great Loop

John, as an alternative to encountering HEAVY commercial traffic on the lower Mississippi, some folks have considered the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway. There is a point for going downstream on any or all of the Big Muddy and that is current vs hull speed. Downstream you may make 10 to 12 knots; upstream you may, in places, have a net loss. I assume you are planning this adventure with your 260?Steve

 

[Andy]

Cruising world

Sounds great-post any crew opening!Within the past two years there has been an article in "Cruising World" about sailing "the loop". There is a charter captain in Fairhope Al the runs Natique Ltd that has run the Mississippi from Chicago to Mobile Bay several times. He might be able to advise you on Mississippi vs Tombigbee.

 

[Bob]

Watch That Draft

A 38-42 footer may well have over a 5 foot draft which can be dicey on parts of the ICW, especially the Carolina's, Georgia and Florida.Considering you may use the vessel for a circumnavigation around the world and you plan on using the ICW, your choice of vessel will be interesting. I agree with most here that going down the Mississippi is far better then going up! From everything I have ever read and witnessed while in Memphis, going up is best for barge traffic! Consider going north on the ICW and thru the Great Lakes to the Mississippi, via the Illinois Barge Canal and down to New Orleans. Take a good look at the Tombigbee waterway option as well. RegardsBob

 

[p323ms]

Tennessee Tombigbee waterway

As others have said the Mississippi river might be too exciting especially going upstream. Coming down the Illinois and up the Tennessee then down the TN-Tombigbee should be easier. Not much current in Kentucky lake which is about 160 miles long. Another option would be to go dowm the mississippi to the Ohio and then go up the Ohio and lock into KY lake.  Early last spring we tried to motor up the Mobile river. Going 5.5 knots into a 4 knot current makes for a long day!!! We probably caught the tide falling but were surprised at our lack of progress against the current. Going about 2000 miles up the Mississppi just doesn't sound like fun.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Watch that Mast!

The Tenn-Tom is the easiest and is well maintained depth wise all the way to Mobile, however, there are several bridges. 52 feet at mien tide pool is the shortest. If you can make it under the first bridge South of the mouth out of Pickwick, you can make the rest of them. The Tenn-Tom also has a Southerly current of 1-2mph. There is a full service marina (Aqua Yacht) at the mouth where you can get your mast dropped or put back up if necessary.North on the Mississippi the current can exceed hull speeds making it almost impossible for a sail boat. Besides, the Mississippi is a very dangerous river and has sunk more boats than torpedos!!

 

[LKYusnret]

The learning curve

as of right now. The loop seems to be better in the counter clockwise direction and using the Tennessee-Tombigbee system I always wanted to travel the Erie Canal system (I'm from Buffalo). This trip I plan on taking my current boat a Hunter 260, 18 inches draft min. with a 13.5 ft. bridge clearance min. figure on taking about a year. Thanks for all your help and support, today I joined the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association and I'm hopeing that will get me on the right track and the information I will need. I have about a year to plan this adventure " I we there yet!!!!!"John Baums Rush

 

[J.B. Dyer]

LK

When you get around to your trip dowh the Tenn-Tom, be sure to stop by Aqua Yacht Harbor, Dock C, for a visit. Myself and other residents of the dock are always interested in meeting folks passing through. Full service, showers, washing machines, restaurant, etc. There is usually some partying going on on Friday and Saturday nights.Bon Voyage!

 

[Chuck15486]

Read these books

If you are looking for some light reading on te subject I found these two book well written and a quick read.1. Year in Paradise: How We Lived Our Dream author: Stephen Wright Watterson2. Honey, Let's Get a Boat author: Ron and Eva StobWhen you get to Buffalo give me a shout at the Buffalo Small Boat HarborChuck

 

[LKYusnret]

Chuck

The picture in my orginial post was my wife and I on Lake Erie in 2003 off Buffalo Small Boat Harbor, when we were up there on a visit. Here is a picture of Baums Rush at the slip at the Small Boat Harbor. John