Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

[Opossum]

Wife and I were talking about a different vacation. I mentioned what about buying a boat 32-40' cruiser/yacht and taking a trip down the Mississippi to the Golf. Figure we would take a few weeks to a month. Maybe float it back up or have it trucked back not sure at this point. Anyone done it? Anyone have input or ideas? Good idea, bad idea, or are we crazy?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

It's done all the time. Get good charts so you know where all the locks and dams are. Also at St Louis you have to go through a canal to get around the Chain of Rocks. Other places too maybe.

 

[captgare]

Re: Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

If you want to head to the gulf, why not take the Mississippi to the Ohio, the Ohio to Kentucky Lake, the the Tenn-Tom to Mobile. Lot's more places to stop and way more user friendly. That's how most are doing the loop.

 

[dave11]

Re: Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

I have heard that the Mississippi below St Louis is uninteresting because of the high levees, not many marinas, and lots of commercial traffic.

Take captgare's advice.

 

[MarshMan73]

Re: Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

I recommend that previous post trip too. I frequently go to Baton Rouge and New Orleans and unless you get on top of the levee or go across the bridges, you don't ever see the water. Also I believe, they stopped recreational boating through New Orleans a few years ago. May want to check that. After you get past New Orleans though, it does get interesting again that last few miles before the Gulf. And there's nothing like catching those MONSTER sized reds at the outlet of the river behind the rocks.

 

[rickgess]

Re: Boating down the Mississippi to the Gulf?

If you want to head to the gulf, why not take the Mississippi to the Ohio, the Ohio to Kentucky Lake, the the Tenn-Tom to Mobile. Lot's more places to stop and way more user friendly. That's how most are doing the loop.

I definatly agree. The Mississippi is not for recreation sout hof St Louis. Be careful at the mouth of the Ohio for strong currents.