Mississippi River Adventure

[series2000]

I rebuilt an old 24 ft pontoon boat to use while I rebuild my good pontoon. Was going to sell it next year when my wife and I got the idea to run the Mississippi from Galena IL to New Orleans. We'll both be retiring next year.<br /><br /> I plan on enclosing most of the boat with screening and tenting as a light house-boat, installing a new engine and spend 6 weeks or so going down river then strip the boat and give it away.<br /><br />Does anyone know of good sites to get information on Mississippi navigation, points of interest, etc? Also any recommendations on the most fuel efficient engine for the journey? I'm thinking of a 25HP 4-stroke.<br /><br />Any advise would be helpful - or am I nuts!

 

[Purebreed]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

I have camped at he Mississippi Placades state park. Very nice place. The river is IMHO not marked very well. Unless you like conduit and milk cartons.....Sounds like a heck of a trip.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

Sounds like a fun idea to me, keep us posted. AT

 

[JWboing]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

Corps of Engineers has great color maps,, all that you would want.<br /><br />I am in st louis, you can buy an atlas here of the upper Mississippi, huge spiral bound in color and water proof with a CD. I am sure they have them all the way to New Orleans.<br />Pricy at $68 but i would think essential.<br /><br />I have seen it online where you can print it out PDF for free.<br /><br />Search for it, if you can't find it, email me johnweber@centurytel.net<br /><br />And, keep me informed of the trip, i'll bring you a beer to the dock when your passin thru my area and maybe even escort you a bit.<br /><br />Don't forget the VHF radio, i just bought one off ebary for $40 with shipping.<br /><br />John

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

From what I understand, the upper Mississippi, from St. Louis to Minnesota is a lot more friendly to recreational boaters than the lower river.<br /><br />No locks on the lower river...lots more barge traffic, and fewer marinas and docks you can tie up to. Most of the towns are away from the river's banks due to flooding, so you don't have all the nice spots to visit on the way.<br /><br />Going North, there's a town every few miles, with a marina, antique stores, restaurants, and the like.<br /><br />Here's an interesting site with info on the river, along with info on both upper and lower rivers. You might want to read it before deciding.<br /><br /> http://members.aol.com/americacruising/mississippi-lower.html

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

You might also be interested in this account of travel on the lower Mississippi and surrounding rivers:<br /><br /> http://home.att.net/~a.emmons/ahchap1.htm

 

[JWboing]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

I'd definitly like to see what you do with your boat. I have three boys and we camp out alot. Have thought about heading UP the Mississippi from here on a big camping adventure. They have slept on sand bars before. Bugs were real bad.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Mississippi River Adventure

I wasn't exactly thrilled w/ the Mississippi down near New Orleans.<br /><br /> http://www.geocities.com/jeff_nicholas/NewOrleans/Page1.html <br /><br /><br />I have the Army Corps chart book, and it'll get you there, <br /><br /> http://www.landfallnavigation.com/usarcorofen.html <br /><br /><br />but I'd also have Quimpy's aboard.<br /><br /> https://websvr1.mn1.fasturl.net/ssl/heartlandboating/quimbys-moreinfo.htm <br /><br /><br />Have you considered the ICW instead?