Sailboat in Michigan

[gpshephe]

I have a need to get from Lake Michigan to the gulf of Mexico, the only solution I've come across is the Illinois waterway. Has anyone here done that? Curious about:

height
depth
cost

Thanks Gary

[Wannafish]

No, I haven't done it. That said, there is an alternative...Lake Huron to Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, and so on.

[Bill S]

I have not made the trip, but am from Chicago and know many who did.

You must take your mast down in Chicago & then it is down all the way. The preferred route is the Illinois River to the Mississippi to the Ohio River; then up the Ohio to the Ten Tom / Tom Bigsby. You can put the mast up at Mobile Al. This route avoids the lower Mississippi which is chanalized and heavy with commercial traffic. Everyone I have talked to says that is is a doable, but unpleasant trip. Parts of the Ten Tom are nice.

There are fours ways out of Chicago by boat 1. Mississippi / Ten Tom 2. Lakes to Erie Canal to Hudson River 3. Lakes to St, Lawrence River 4. Truck

I went out the St. Lawrence and it was a wonderful, if challenging trip.

Bill

[Bill S]

I just realized that I assumed that you had a sailboat, which I dont know, but depths are adequate for a sailboat all the way. Here is a thread about bridge clearance: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ago-25363.html

Also, look up the websites that have info on the Great Loop. Tons of info.

[sck5]

actually, you can skip Lake Ontario if you want to - you can sail to Buffalo at the east end of Lake Erie, and go via the Erie Canal to Albany from there. Once in Albany you can put your mast back up and go down the Hudson to NYC.