Lake superior to Florida best route

[oceanrider]

Is there a way to get a sailboat from lake superior down to florida without having it transported by truck? Does lake superior connect to Mississippi river?

[Lost Horizons]

You need to go to Lake Michigan first and then you will have a couple options to get to Gulf of Mexico. Or you can turn left and either take Erie canal route to Hudson river or St Laurence seaway. If you chose the latter option you don’t have to lower the mast.

[J Clark H356]

You wouldn’t want to go on the Mississippi except from St Louis to Ohio River, then up Ohio to Tennessee River, down to Pickwick And then down Tenn-Tom waterway to Mobile on the Gulf. It’s called the Great Loop Route. Lots of people do it and it’s well supported with fuel, marinas, food, etc.

[valhalla360]

Lake Superior to Sue Canal
Down Lake Michigan To Chicago
Calumet canal to Illinois River
Illinois River to Mississippi
Mississippi to Ohio River
Ohio to Tennessee
Tennesse to Tombigbee
Our at Mobile Al.

It is possible to run the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans but after St. Louis facilities for pleasure boats are next to nothing and you have to deal with lots of current and big commercial traffic.

[Tingum]

Like Valhalla says. There is a Marina just off Lake Michigan in the Calumet river that will pull your mast and build a cradle for it.

[drapem1]

Check out Sailing Soulianis channel on You Tube. They delivered their Tartan 37 from Lake Michigan down the inland river system and out the Mississippi River into Gulf and now headed to Florida. All captured in their episodes.

[PuttingDoctor]

Perhaps it would help us if you’d update your profile and let us know what kind of boat and what length you are planning to move.
I have friends who are in the process of moving an Irwin Ketch by truck from northern Michigan to the west coast of Florida.
They will spend about $6500 all in by the time they have restepped at the destination a week after stripping and loading in MI. Time is a great factor and also a great consumer of cash.
It would be a good idea to join one of the many Great Loop discussions to best understand the costs.

[reneaston]

Hello We have followed this route from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico a couple of years ago. Many, many boaters use this inland route. In fact there is an organization that you can join called the Great Loop. If you circumnavigate Florida and return on the Atlantic side, you are designated as a Looper.

We were taking our boat to Belize, hopefully, to sail there for many years in the warm sunshine, so we did not complete the Loop.

If you have any specific questions about the route, ask us.

This route was very safe, especially when Sandy hit the coast, we were glad we were inland.

Rene and MicahelYapp
aboard Sea Mist in Belize and Windwego in Lake Simcoe

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by drapem1

Check out Sailing Soulianis channel on You Tube. They delivered their Tartan 37 from Lake Michigan down the inland river system and out the Mississippi River into Gulf and now headed to Florida. All captured in their episodes.

Actually....they went down the Mississippi River, then up the Ohio River, then up the TN River to Kentucky Lake, then up the TN River to Pickwick Lake, then down the Tenn-Tom waterway to Mobile on the Gulf...

Like J Clark indicated above.....

Oh....and here is there episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp9CLqSrzco

[macman4190]

I know folks from Lake Michigan regularly cruise/race in Lake Superior. I know of four boats that recently left Lake Michigan for Florida. Three went via Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Erie Canal, Hudson River, ICW or offshore down east coast. One took the river route. Both routes are well traveled.

[Boatwright]

A big question to ask as the northern summer fades into fall:

What is your schedule? After mid-September the northern Great Lakes can be very challenging. If you are considering buying a boat now, fitting out and heading south before the above window, I say put it on a truck, or wait to next spring. The above advice is mandatory if you are a new sailor.

If you are attracted to purchasing an older fresh-water boat, you may be getting a good one. Fresh water is easy. 5 years on fresh = 20 on salt.

Good luck from a third coast cruiser.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Boatwright

5 years on fresh = 20 on salt.

Or maybe vice-versa?

[Rhwins]

"Best route" implies you have some important criteria to meet. Best for what purpose? Are you interested in time to complete? Length of season to make the trip? Cost? Comfort and simplicity? Safety? Enjoyment of interesting ports of call? How much draft (water and air) do you require?

[Gaia]

Ioho if the plan is for next year we would take the St Lawrence route. It is far too late when comfort is considered, to do it this year.

We have done all of the eastern routes partially numerous times but, although it is on the bucket list, have not done the Loop.

Using a truck is almost a sin, it is getting to the destination rather than arriving were the enjoyment usually lies and the St Lawrence and Canadian Maritimes are superb. Do not skip Newfoundland!

Jim

[Iduna]

What is your boat? The great loop river route mentioned here can only handle boats with about a 6' draft.