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

[chriswheat]

Four years ago, when I was 66, my marriage of nearly 40 years fell apart too. I bought a boat and moved aboard, on a shoestring. Two replacement knees, one broken wrist, a busted foot and a missing fingertip later I don't regret one minute of it and I'm thinking about heading south for the winter again. Be it ever so humble... I would advise you to have some sort of back-up plan in the stern of your mind just in case.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Welcome to the forum!!! Sorry to hear about the marriage, but all is well that ends well. If it wasn't meant to be, then you can't force it.

If it's your dream, then do it... the CF is always here for you. Get some nice charts... plan ahead... a little $$$ saved would be nice, so that you don't have to eat canned beans every day.

Sounds like an awesome trip and I highly recommend you do it.

If you do make your way one day to NY/NJ, let me know!!!

Again... welcome

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by 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.

Do a YouTube search of “ Eric Chisim”.

[Nani Kai]

Originally Posted by Campintoon

.....

... 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.

C.

Great Plan! And remarkably great advice from other CF'ers. My contribution: get a copy of the COLREGS which dictates marine operations between boats. Learn the Rules of the Road (what to expect from other captains/vessels in just about any situation you can imagine and what they will expect from you), Vessel lights, channel lights, range lights and corresponding day shapes and colors (which tell you what kind of vessel is coming toward you in the middle of the night, where the center of the channel is, what that boat up ahead is doing in the middle of the River and what is expected of you) etc, etc. Pay particular attention to special requirements when operating on the Mississippi River. You will be mixing it up with the Big Dogs, sometimes in heavy traffic, strong current, miserable weather and limited visibility. Definitely have a handheld VHF radio. Also highly recommend a sound signaling device and a strong, bright spotlight. The better prepared you are the better and safer will be the experience. It will be an amazing adventure! Let us know how it goes. Aloha

[rsn48]

I have a better plan since you are foot loose and fancy free. Come up to the Pacific Northwest and coastal BC (not open for Americans into BC, but it will be). Get an older trawler and ply the waters here. You won't regret that decision and you can go as far north as Alaska. The best cruising grounds in all of North America is here and you can enjoy it.

You wouldn't get a pontoon boat here, I rarely see one, but you could live a board your trawler. If you want to be land based, check out Whidby Island. This Island has rural and urban and you can be right on the ocean or just a few blocks from it.

And you won't need air conditioning like you would at all points south.

[Campintoon]

I am blown away by all the kindness and great advise!

Thanks so much!

[Campintoon]

Thanks Chotu! You hit it right on the head in matching my plan! Great advice. Peace. Stay healthy.

[Campintoon]

Thanks Jim! Be well.

[Campintoon]

Originally Posted by captlloyd

Do a YouTube search of “ Eric Chisim”.

I can't seem to find Eric Chisim on YouTube. Any idea? Thanks in advance.
Peace and Good Health.
Scott

[Campintoon]

Originally Posted by GILow

I don’t know anything about...

Changed my life. (For the better.)

Go for it, but as a recent divorcee, can I suggest that you don’t completely “let yourself go”. It’s one thing to step off the treadmill, but another to lose touch with reality.

Trips like these can..

Thanks for that. Makes a lot of sense. Stay healthy.
S.

[Campintoon]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I think the need to "tent" is going to be the problem. But it sounds like lots of adventure as isn't a pontoon boat just a modern powered raft boat?

I see a book "The Modern Stories of Tom Sawyer"

I hope you have fun with however you go about doing it.

PS - I am sure it can be done just as posted. Pack your bug spray.

My idea with the tent is so I can combine my loves of the river and of camping. I can camp onshore or on board. I have a solo canoe I'll be toting along also.

Just the thought and planning process is pleasant.

Thanks! Peace.

Scott

[Campintoon]

Originally Posted by chriswheat

Four years ago, when I was 66, my marriage of nearly 40 years fell apart too. I bought a boat and moved aboard, on a shoestring. Two replacement knees, one broken wrist, a busted foot and a missing fingertip later I don't regret one minute of it and I'm thinking about heading south for the winter again. Be it ever so humble... I would advise you to have some sort of back-up plan in the stern of your mind just in case.

Nice. Very nice. Thanks for that.

S.

[Campintoon]

I want to thank you all for all the good advice and well wishes. It warms my heart.

I've been thinking about this transition and how to get some wind back in my wings and I think the plan is firming up.

I first thought houseboat, then thought live in the BWCA, then this kind of hybrid thing.

I am having surgery Tuesday on my shoulder and will plan more while healing up.

I was hoping to be on the water moving south with the fall but I have to wait and see how this arm comes along.

Thanks again water people!

Peace and Good Health. Stay healthy.

Scott

[Campintoon]

Originally Posted by rsn48

I have a better plan since you are foot loose and fancy free. Come up to the Pacific Northwest and coastal BC (not open for Americans into BC, but it will be). Get an older trawler and ply the waters here. You won't regret that decision and you can go as far north as Alaska. The best cruising grounds in all of North America is here and you can enjoy it.

You wouldn't get a pontoon boat here, I rarely see one, but you could live a board your trawler. If you want to be land based, check out Whidby Island. This Island has rural and urban and you can be right on the ocean or just a few blocks from it.

And you won't need air conditioning like you would at all points south.

That sounds like a pretty good idea. I've spent some time there and it is beautiful.

Being in Minnesota for the past 30 years I am a bit tired of the cold. I am very fond of the rivers and have spent quite a bit of time on the rivers around here.

I am going with heading south I think.

Peace and Good Health.

Scott

[BlackHeron]

Bring a snow shovel along. When someone asks you what it is you have gone far enough south.