How many miles and days to go from Chicago down Mississippi to New Orleans?

[douglasl]

I'm thinking of buying and bringing a 53' Hat MY, 8v71 in the Great Lakes area. The Hat gets about 1 mile per gallon at cruising speed @10MPH. So from Chicago to New Orleans, later through Panama Canal to Los Angeles.

Anyone know how long should it take to go down the Mississippi into New Orleans? And the rough mileage?

Trying to get some numbers together and see if it's worth buying the boat up there, or spend more and get another one further south.

Thanks,

Douglas

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Lower Mississippi is not the best route. Run Ohio River to the Tennessee, then down the Tenn-Tomm to Mobile. I believe it is actually shorter and has many more facilities.

 

[Boatsb]

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. From Chicago to California would be a challenge range wise though

What about shipping it from the gulf or florida?

 

[nor'easter]

Was thinking of a couple boats in the GL area too...also headed to CA. I would ship from Florida, or another spot i the gulf if there is a place to on-load other that Lauderdale.

Isn't there a height restriction in the upper Miss, maybe in Chicago? Can a 50 or 54 C get through there unmolested? No tower, just hardtop and radar?

 

[bobk]

I can't speak to distances, but you will want an MY to be stabilized for that trip. A friend did it in a 41' single screw Defever.

The AGLCA may be able to provide some valuable help too.

Bobk

 

[douglasl]

I heard the Tenn-Tomm was slower than riding south on the Mississippi. I wouldn't know for sure.
I don't mind doing more miles, if it'll get me there faster.

Shipping from Florida to Ensenada, MX is about $50,000 and it takes 1 month.

I was thinking of doing a 30 day trip myself, and it should be less than $50K, including gas, meals, marinas, canal fees, oil changes, etc.
Except for any major problem, but then again, if I knew of any major problems on the way, I'd buy the Lotto first.

Anyone has taken the ride down from Chicago to New Orleans, any which way, and if so, how long did it take you without any major side trips and stays?

Thanks,

Douglas

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've done 8 days from Chicago to the north end of the Tenn-Tom. It all depends on current and the waits at locks. We ran 16kts as much as possible and used as much daylight as we could in August.

 

[douglasl]

I've done 8 days from Chicago to the north end of the Tenn-Tom. It all depends on current and the waits at locks. We ran 16kts as much as possible and used as much daylight as we could in August.

Thanks for the info. It seems from here and the AGLCA that it'd take about 10 days at the fastest (safely).

I'm surprised it takes that long, but it is, what it is. Too bad I can't transport by land that big a boat to the Gulf of Mexico. Now I see why boats up in the Great Lakes are so much more economical. The logistics to drive one on its own bottom is a nightmare, unless you have a lot of time on your hands.

Gotta find a way. I'm sure I will.

 

[captainwjm]

Travel on the inland waters is limited to daylight due to need to avoid debris that won't show up on radar. Also, recreational boats are lowest priority for locks. It is not unusual for rec. boats to wait several hours for a lockage, which itself will take close to an hour. So, you can't assume that you'll get 100 miles in a 10 hour day. On sections of the Illinois waterway, and for most of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, there will be multiple lockages within a hundred mile stretch. Add to that the fact that most fueling locations are 9-5 operations. Plus, changes in water levels will impact your travel. In July and August, the Illinois was closed for weeks due to high water. I estimate my travel at 50-70 miles a day, depending on the area I'm in, plus a lay day every 3rd or 4th day to account for lockage delays, fueling and weather.

I'd avoid the lower Mississippi. It is unlike any other water that you'll boat in. It boils and swirls, has a vicious and unpredictable current, and is full of debris. The tows on the lower Miss are the largest vessels on earth and sometimes require the whole width of the river to maneuver. And, except for Memphis, Greenwood, and Baton Rouge, there are no facilities that cater to rec. boats. Anchorages are unpredictable due to rapid changes in water levels. While a straight open river passage looks inviting, it is more dangerous than you can imagine.

Low bridge on the entire trip is the BN bridge south of Chicago - figure 19' depending on the water level.

My last trip from Chicago to Paducah took 2 weeks due to high water from a hurricane that hit the gulf 2 weeks before. Paducah to Mobile, with good weather and minimal lock delays, figure 10 days to 2 weeks.

 

[dottieshusband]

I've never run the Mississippi, and have been told it's not for the faint hearted. BUT.. with the prevailing downstream current, I'm GUESSING that if you survived, it would be the fastest and cheapest route (and perhaps the most foolish) I've stood on Mud Island and been amazed at the current speed. The Tenn - Tom is tame and full of locks, 14 or so, just from Grand Harbor on down, from the Ohio through Land between the Lakes and Nashville to Aqua Harbor, more locks. As mentioned by others, never get in a hurry on that route for waiting at the locks for hours on end is a real possibility. 100 miles a day is doable, but the Marinas lay out for a little shorter day and don't even think about dropping the hook in most areas of the Tenn-Tom. Demopolis Basin is the only 24 hour fuel, but not on Sunday. More and More of the Tenn-Tom is becoming no wake zone and zealous residents have been known to claim damages from wake. I've personally had folks light me up on the radio while traveling 8kts or so in non designated no wake zones. I love the Tenn-Tom route, the Marinas are great and friendly staff. Be sure to fuel in Demopolis because except for bobber fish camp, the next fuel Dog River, over 200 miles. I've always water to talk to somebody who did the Mississippi, but have never met one. I did meet an upstream from Ohio River up guy, and he said never again due to current...he could only make 3kts against it.

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

We did Peoria, IL to Destin, FL in 18 days. That's a lot faster than the loopers do it, but it wasn't a bad trip.

We did Mobile to Peoria, IL in 11 days. We averaged 100 miles per day. I wouldn't recommend a schedule that is that aggressive. Take your time and enjoy the trip.

 

[douglasl]

We did Peoria, IL to Destin, FL in 18 days. That's a lot faster than the loopers do it, but it wasn't a bad trip.

We did Mobile to Peoria, IL in 11 days. We averaged 100 miles per day. I wouldn't recommend a schedule that is that aggressive. Take your time and enjoy the trip.

Thanks.

How long did it take you from Peoria, IL to the Gulf, and which way did you go Tenn-Tomm, or Miss. River?

This would be a trip to get the boat to the West coast, safely but ASAP. So, I wouldn't have a chance to take everything in. More like wake up early, drive, stop for fuel, drive, sleep when the daylight is gone. Rinse and repeat.

Douglas

 

[Nightingale]

I did Chicago to Mobile in 16 days of running via the Tenn Tom at 10-13 mph depending on current in a 56 Hatteras. Moving at daylight and stopped at dark if we were close enough to a marina. We were caught 3 times in pitch black on the river since we were caught at some locks for a long time. We averaged about 100 mph day, some more and some less.

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

Thanks.

How long did it take you from Peoria, IL to the Gulf, and which way did you go Tenn-Tomm, or Miss. River?

This would be a trip to get the boat to the West coast, safely but ASAP. So, I wouldn't have a chance to take everything in. More like wake up early, drive, stop for fuel, drive, sleep when the daylight is gone. Rinse and repeat.

Douglas

We did the Ten-Tom both times, 1100 miles from Peoria to Mobile. On the return trip we did just what you were talking about, get up, run, tie up or anchor and do it again. You could probably do a little better, we bent a prop on the next to last day and had to run 8-9 kts.

 

[douglasl]

We did the Ten-Tom both times, 1100 miles from Peoria to Mobile. On the return trip we did just what you were talking about, get up, run, tie up or anchor and do it again. You could probably do a little better, we bent a prop on the next to last day and had to run 8-9 kts.

Yeah, that's the way I'm looking at doing it. Except for the bent prop! ha, ha.

Did you do oil changes on the way down, or wait until you got to Mobile?
I'm thinking of doing oil changes every 100 engine hours.

Douglas

 

[Boatsb]

If their running clean detroits can go more than 100 hours between oil changes. As long as there is no fuel dilution. Other newer engines get longer intervals too. It's all in how their maintained and how their run.

 

[douglasl]

Thanks for all the information guys. Every bit helps.

I'm now getting in my mind that it'll be a 14 day trip down to the Gulf. Still got to plan and figure if it's what I want to do and if the money is right.

Even if I get her down the Mississippi, it's still a long way down to the Panama Canal and back up the Pacific.

Douglas

 

[Nightingale]

If you want a buddy boat, I'm heading south via the same route again this fall around October 15th from Chicago on a different 56 Hatteras.

 

[Nonchalant1]

We did it for fun in a 53MY as a Looper and for winter trips to Florida many times, so I'm no help on a forced march type of trip, but you absolutely have to pass under the 19ft. fixed bridge at mile 300 of the Illinois waterway. It can be a little higher if they let the water down in expectation of a big rainstorm, but the lock and dam usually keep it right about 19' 1" clearance.

Also, yes, you will make a lot of Southern river people, blow boaters, fishermen and barge captains mad if you run a 53MY at hull speed (9.1 knots) without slowing way down as you pass poorly constructed docks, small boats and towboats connected together by cables.

The 53MY has plenty of fuel capacity for the US rivers trip. I have a spreadsheet I made for the Loop that shows all the river miles, locks, and many marinas, etc. You can e-mail me (dshumans@gmail.com) if you want it

Doug

 

[Neagle]

Just did a trip from Guntersville Alabama to New Orleans via the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway in 9 days in a 53 foot MY. 1 gallon a mile averaging 10 knots we travelled only by day anchored out most nights. Most locks we didn't have to wait for. Only one we had to wait for two and a half hours. Overall great trip with no major problems.