Mississippi River

[Orava]

Looking for information from sailors who have done the river.
We are planing on sailing down river then up in stages over a 2 year period leaving the boat for long periods of time.Are there safe areas all along river to leave the boat at ? What should be avoided? And any other suggestions.
Thanks Ron

[monstads]

Where are you starting from? And, leaving the boat for how long, anchoring vs marina, summer vs winter, will make a huge difference..

[valhalla360]

What is the range on the Chris Craft?

Down river is likely an option as the current will boost your fuel efficency but up river can be hard. Most folks do the great loop so they only take the river in one direction and come back up the east coast.

North of St. Louis, it's easy to find marinas and haul outs and the locks tend to keep things under control pretty well (Mother Nature can still make it hairy at times but much better controlled in general).

South of St. Louis, there are no locks and the river tends to run fierce (it can change dramaticaly by season though). There are very limited docking facilities south of St. Louis with long distances between them.

While it certainly can be done and there are people who do it, most cut up the Ohio River to the Tennessee River and take the Tenn-Tom down to Mobile. If you are set on doing the return trip by river, you could go down the Mississippi and back up the Tenn-Tom route and bypass much of the fight against the current.

Google "Great Loop" and you will come up with lots of reference material as it is a key part of the trip.

[belizesailor]

Grew up on the Mississippi. Have run the southern part of it from Vicksburg down to Venice., but not in years.

Definately a river to be respected.

Just finished reading Mark Twains "Life on the Mississippi". A good read for your intended trip.

[Orava]

Originally Posted by Orava

Looking for information from sailors who have done the river.
We are planing on sailing down river then up in stages over a 2 year period leaving the boat for long periods of time.Are there safe areas all along river to leave the boat at ? What should be avoided? And any other suggestions.
Thanks Ron

So far we are not certain when we will leave the boat but the plan was down to New Orleans over to Mobile up the Tenn Tom and back.We are starting from the north shore of lake superior and do not have the time to do the east coast.Dont know if that part is worth the time.We can cover 180 miles between fill ups

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Orava

So far we are not certain when we will leave the boat but the plan was down to New Orleans over to Mobile up the Tenn Tom and back.We are starting from the north shore of lake superior and do not have the time to do the east coast.Dont know if that part is worth the time.We can cover 180 miles between fill ups

You are questionable with only a 180 mile range.
- Last Fuel Stop just south of St. Louis to the next stop on the Tennessee River is around 250 Miles. With the but with the current with you most of the way, that may be doable downstream with a few fuel jugs strapped down on deck.
- If you go the full Missisippi route the next fuel stop is Memphis around 370 miles. Even with the current at your back, it's probably iffy.
- Either route will be problematic upstream where the current eats into your range and slowing down can make the situation even worse.

Is that range based on optimal fuel efficiency or just your typical cruising speed? If not, do some checking to see if you can boost it by slowing down.