So I kind of have a plan and could really use some direction.

[vpbarkley]

I'm heartened to see the number of thoughtful replies to the original posting. I think that boats are vehicles for dreams, with a healthy dose of reality thrown in. You should definitely do this. Personally, I'd want lots of shade, perhaps a hardtop. Wishing you every success.

[Glassdog]

I think your plan sounds like a grand adventure. I totally agree on the AIS And at least a handheld VHF, as there is a big shipping on the Mississippi. What about a small houseboat that is well powered and nimble. That would give you protection from weather, a head and a little more creature comfort with about the same footprint as a pontoon. Go for it Huck, Life is short and there is adventure to be had!

[Capt Jerry]

Here is one more thought- bring a notebook and journal your experience. Write about what you find on the journey. Include your thoughts, dreams, frustrations and hopes. Be brutally honest with yourself. It will likely lead to growth, self discovery, and even a book.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Capt Jerry

Here is one more thought- bring a notebook and journal your experience. Write about what you find on the journey. Include your thoughts, dreams, frustrations and hopes. Be brutally honest with yourself. It will likely lead to growth, self discovery, and even a book.

Maybe a second Mark Twain?

[Augi]

Originally Posted by Campintoon

Hello! I'm brand new to the forum so apologies if i'm putting this in the wrong spot. Please point me in the right direction if I am.

I'm 55 and getting prepared to run away from home. My 30+ year marriage collapsed, health is sketchy, and I've wasted way too much time on land lately.

An escape plan is percolating: I surrender. I'd like to take a pontoon boat and a tent and a bunch of gear and leave Minneapolis via the Mississippi and meander south. I'd camp in the tent on the pontoon or on land, whatever feels right at the time.

I love camping and I love the river. I've enjoyed both a lot over the years and combining them is a pretty tantalizing thought.

Freedom from this plodding, unsatisfying, crazy making life I live now sounds very appealing.

I know there will be many challenges but they will be mine, you know?

Any thoughts, tips, whatever, will be welcomed.

Peace and Good Health!

C.

How about more of a house boat instead of pontoon boat? When you say pontoon boat, I am thinking of boat just for going out for the day with no head, no place designed to spend the night or galley. Another option, as another poster suggested, is pick up a used small cruising sail boat on the cheap and un step the mast.

Divorce can be tough. I have been through it. Take solace it will get better.

It is easier said than done. But if possible try to look at as an opportunity to do something different, explore, etc. etc.

Your plan is a good one. Staying busy with a lot of hard work as you will be is the way to go.

Best of luck.

[hlev00]

I didn't see anything about your boating experience. There is a lot of commercial traffic on the Mississippi so get a safe boating course so you understand your obligations. With a pontoon you should be able to stay well out of the way but it will be important to be sure you are not doing something that seems safe to you but confuses a barge master.


Add a handheld VHF to your list.


Good luck,
Harry

[bumpman]

Great advice so far. I'd add support for a 'hard' tent for those rainy days with a blow, a great anchor, also a mossy net and a couple of (solar powered?) coolers for food and beer. Your experience in a more natural state will be a great experience to contemplate the next chapter in your life. Along the way be nice, helpful, and stay out any more complications. Best wishes!

[grantmc]

Some great ideas being put forward. My two cents worth is to suggest OP that you read 'The Biggest Boat I Could Afford' by Lee Hughes. Link Here.

Lee is a Kiwi and had a dream to sail up the US Inter Coastal Waterway with little money. But he wasn't going to let that stop him. He bought a little open sail boat, added a 3hp outboard and away he went. Truly a camping adventure with a bucket and chucket toilet, single burner stove etc.

The book is full of anecdotes and many amusing stories. All sorts of gems for someone intending to do a similar trip, irrespective of the type of boat or the route of passage.

Lee's book is about a man who needs an ADVENTURE. And it is an excellent testament to how a positive attitude, a smile and a willingness to get one's hands dirty leads down all sorts of exciting side roads.

Go hard, go Now!

[alansmith]

Trips like these can be very good for the soul if they have a beginning and an end and are treated as an achievement in the journey. Don’t see it as running away from home, see it as reclaiming your soul, and recognise when you have reached that point of the journey so that you are prepared to move on.


Spoken like a man with experience and wisdom that life brings to one who has been out through the the ringer of divorce.

[BlackHeron]

My advice is to get good charts so you can navigate. The Navionics app on your phone is a cheap and easy way to do this. A chart plotter with a $500 AIS would be great too, just to see the big barges coming your way and staying well clear. A good modern VHF radio will have AIS recieve and a low-cost fish finder might be your best bet here to display the data in an easy to read format

A good anchor is essential. A Mantus or Rocna is in order here. If you can afford a windlass it'll make life MUCH easier for you. But with a smaller anchor sized for your boat it should be no big issue dealing with the anchor by hand with fiber (rope) rode. Do some research on scope calculations. Run at least 7:1 if not 10:1 just to be sure, especially as a newbie. You draft like 2-3 feet so you can easily anchor in 6-7 feet and put out 50-75 feet or so to be safe.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by grantmc

. He bought a little open sail boat, added a 3hp outboard and away he went.

Sailboat...!? Pure luxury!

Mine was 14 44 gallon drums and a stack of secondhand 4 x 2,s.

[captlloyd]

There is at least one guy who did it on YouTube. Do a search for the series, it was interesting. Go for it, it will be a great experience.

[JPA Cate]

Not saying you shouldn't do this, but if you have children, even if they're near to adult age, or out of the home, please don't desert them, stay in touch. After 20 yrs. or so, you may regret it, otherwise. (Pls. don't ask how I know this....)

Ann

[mickand]

I've ridden the river down in a 41ft trawler and produced some notes which may be of some help.
There are many 'slack harbors' on the way which are old feed in tributaries that have been chopped off - they provide some of the best anchorages I've ever been to.

[NorthernMac]

Could you sell it and get a little trawler or something?

Sounds good, but a tent on a pontoon, which is kinda like a floating party bar, not sure I’d want to use one for much more than a weekend party.

If you do the ICW
http://bobicw.blogspot.com/