ICW...stop and then go situation

[LauraleeG]

Great advice all! I have joined the Captain John site....ordered the book. We will do lake Huron to North Channel up around Mackinac Island , the south to Chicago..all next summer/early fall. Store over winter in Chicago. ship mast( 1000$) ..to mobile alabama. Then spend the next few seasons moving her down river from chicago to Florida. ( will heed advice to not rush) We plan to then use florida as a staging post for further adventures.

[Nicholson58]

There are places in the North Channel or haul out. NC is a top cruising destination. Many spend an entire season there. We loved it.

If you do the canal, get your entire passage pre paid on line at a big discount. We’ve found this true in the Welland and St Lawrence too.

[darylat8750]

Unless the Trent Severn is close enough to you that you have done that or will do that separately I would encourage you to not miss it. Marcy and I both think of that as one of the highlights of the Loop.

[Woodland Hills]

If you are going to be parking the boat every other month, you will need some good bottom paint. At the very minimum arrange to have the boat dived and cleaned just before you arrive. If using ablative paint be sure you have enough coats to last the whole season.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by LauraleeG

Great advice all! I have joined the Captain John site....ordered the book. We will do lake Huron to North Channel up around Mackinac Island , the south to Chicago..all next summer/early fall. Store over winter in Chicago. ship mast( 1000$) ..to mobile alabama. Then spend the next few seasons moving her down river from chicago to Florida. ( will heed advice to not rush) We plan to then use florida as a staging post for further adventures.

Big change from 1st post. If the boat is going to stay in the US over a few seasons, you might want to look into whether or not you will require a 'cruising permit' - as the condition of taking the boat out of US waters for 48 hours before renewal might be a bit difficult to achieve.

[Nicholson58]

North Channel is Canada. As long as you are there, think about cruising Lake Superior. This is great beauty. Fresh water means the wear on everything I’d near zero.

[LauraleeG]

Originally Posted by darylat8750

Unless the Trent Severn is close enough to you that you have done that or will do that separately I would encourage you to not miss it. Marcy and I both think of that as one of the highlights of the Loop.

Good to know, thanks!!

[LauraleeG]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

North Channel is Canada. As long as you are there, think about cruising Lake Superior. This is great beauty. Fresh water means the wear on everything I’d near zero.

Yes, we do plan to do a part of that!

[LauraleeG]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

If you are going to be parking the boat every other month, you will need some good bottom paint. At the very minimum arrange to have the boat dived and cleaned just before you arrive. If using ablative paint be sure you have enough coats to last the whole season.

Ohhh good considerations--thank you!

[CapnCrunch]

Since blowboats aren't really made for motoring for long periods, I'd do the river side of the loop first. That way you would be downstream most of the way as I would definitely recommend taking the Tenn-Tom route.

The Mississippi is an awesome river but it is not cruiser-friendly as there is only one functioning marina between St. Louis and New Orleans.

You would be going upstream on the Ohio and Tennessee but you're only on the Ohio for @ 50 miles and the current on the Tenn is only a couple of knots. No marinas (and few good anchorages) on the Ohio but the Tennessee and Tenn-Tom have plenty of marinas and anchorages.

The only downsides to the Tenn-Tom route would be access to major airports, cell phone coverage can be spotty and it can get awfully hot during summer months as there aren't any sea breezes. And, yes, there are skeeters here in the south.

My favorite part of this route is actually the Tombigbee River between the Tenn-Tom and Mobile. You'll be going downstream there and the whole river is basically one sandy beach after another. When it's time to anchor you just pull out of the channel and drop the hook. There isn't much barge traffic and enough current to keep you from swinging much. If you need fuel, etc., be sure to top-up at Demopolis Yacht Basin just as you leave the Tenn-Tom. The only other marina between there and Dog River in Mobile Bay is Bobby's Fish Camp and they are total rip-off.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by CapnCrunch

Since blowboats aren't really made for motoring for long periods, I'd do the river side of the loop first. That way you would be downstream most of the way as I would definitely recommend taking the Tenn-Tom route.

Who told you they can't motor for long periods of time? Unless there is something wrong, no reason you can't motor for many hours per day (usually it's recommended not to run at night due to debris in the water)

Pretty much no one, regardless of boat type, recommends doing the loop clockwise (going up the Mississippi). This is mainly a range issue. Even fast planing boats often have difficulty as they usually don't have the range to get from Kentucky Lake to St. Louis. Displacement boats (sail or power) have additional issues due to limited cruising speed. It's not unusual to fight a 3-4kt current, so if your cruise speed is 6kt, that means your SOG is only 2-3kt while still burning fuel at the same rate, so even if they have a 500mile range, they may still run out of fuel as much of it is used up fighting the current.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by CapnCrunch

Since blowboats aren't really made for motoring for long periods

Could you define "A Long Period" and substantiate with documentation?

The hull is desinged to be pushed through the water, and cares not the source of propulsion or its duration. Marine engines are continuous duty-cycle by design, particularly so if we're talking about a diesel.

Any yard will be more than happy to haul you and store you, but if it's In Season, will more than likely be the day rate, which can get pricey.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Who told you they can't motor for long periods of time? Unless there is something wrong, no reason you can't motor for many hours per day

Since sailboats are designed to primarily rely on wind for propulsion, their fuel tankage is usually less than a m/v, thus making long motoring trips less practical. Besides, if a boat is meant to motor for long periods, wouldn't it be called a "Motorboat?"

[theBigKahuna]

LauraleeG,

We actually live in Chicago and just had our cat hauled out in Buffalo,NY for the winter (it's as far as we could get before winter). Brought her up from Fort Lauderdale.

Erie Canal is a pretty solid 7 day trip give or take. You've got 34 locks and at least 16 lift bridges to deal w/... then getting mast up/down.

Same plans... headed back down south in a year+, but seriously evaluating the Chicago river route. FYI, if you're thinking about the Chicago route (calumet... Mississippi... Alabama), note that the Ill waterways will get going thru substantial maintance into summer 2020, https://farmweeknow.com/story-illino...ovember%202020.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally Posted by theBigKahuna

FYI, if you're thinking about the Chicago route (calumet... Mississippi... Alabama), note that the Ill waterways will get going thru substantial maintance into summer 2020

Good point. You should also check the Corps website for lock closures on the Tenn-Tom and Tombigbee.