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Chicago Tall Ships Fest

Started by Shipscarver, April 19, 2010, 01:38:18 PM

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Shipscarver

I am thinking about going to the Chicago Tall Ships Fest in Aug. That would entail sail/motor my 27 ft. CD from St. Petersburg, FL. to Chicago.   Anyone done that part of the Great Loop in a sailboat?  And, given the fact that I am a cruiser, not a racer, any time frames? Any alternatives to dismasting for the Erie cut though?
"The great secret that all old people share
is that you really haven't changed . . .
Your body changes, but you don't change at all.
And that, of course, causes great confusion." . . . Doris Lessing

Shipscarver - Cape Dory 27

Christopher

You can come up the Mississippi.  A friend of mine is going to FL via Chicago-Mississippi at the end of this season on his boat.  You still have to take the mast down, but it would cut an awful lot of time off of your trip.  You just have to watch out for Asian Carp.  I'd be willing to guess that barring any major engine failures that you could make it in 5 weeks.
1993 Hunter 23.5

Bill NH

Five weeks motoring upstream?  in a sailboat?  Sounds fun... not!  For the $$ you'd spend on food, fuel, maintenance and all the wear and tear hours you'd put on the engine, why not have your boat trucked to the Great Lakes and sail for the season, taking in Chicago and any (or all) of the other tall ships festivities you choose?  Lots of other beautiful sailing destinations on our North Coast too.
125' schooner "Spirit of Massachusetts" and others...

Christopher

Might be able to make better time if you have someone drive along shore and toss you a line :)

I just thought it an uncommon alternative.  I was surprised to find you could even do it until my buddy told me he was taking his downstream this fall.  Should be quite a trip!

The other option would be to fly up and rent/charter a boat for the festivities. 
1993 Hunter 23.5

skylark

I have not done it but I hear the Tenn-Tom is a much better alternative to the Mississipp.
Paul

Southern Lake Michigan

Fischer8504

I may be wrong but I believe they have a lock in the Chicago ship canal completely shut down to prevent Asian Carp from making it into the Great Lakes.   

Shipscarver

Actually, doing the south to north leg of the Great Loop means going up the east coast, through the Erie Canal or around to enter the Great Lakes, then to Chicago. The return trip south is then down the Illinois, the Mississippi, or via the Tenn Tom to the Gulf.
"The great secret that all old people share
is that you really haven't changed . . .
Your body changes, but you don't change at all.
And that, of course, causes great confusion." . . . Doris Lessing

Shipscarver - Cape Dory 27