Living aboard on Mississippi to Mobile

[Heron]

Bob & I have retired and after remodeling our 25' Pacific Seacraft for 3 years, selling our possessions, etc., we will be putting the boat on the water at Lake Pepin, MN on May 4th, 2011. With the unusual severe weather causing tornados & flooding, we may have more to deal with then we bargained for. We are really hoping that spring arrives before May 4th. We'd love to have everybody follow us. www.bobsuzbigadventure.blogspot.com
Susie and Bob

[Captain Smollett]

Welcome aboard, Bob and Suzie.

Congrats on your plans to move aboard and in starting this adventure.

[tomwatt]

Neat! Welcome aboard! Nice boat too! Looking forward to tracking your adventures headed downstream... best wishes for your journey!

[Marc]

Alright!!! it's gonna happen, this will be a Big Creekin adventure.  I will follow daily.  Your freind, Marc

[okawbow]

Good luck on your trip!

I just pulled into Dog River near Mobile today, after coming down from Kentucky Lake dam. It took me 18 days, but I stayed at anchor 5 days because of flooding on the Tombiggbee. The river currents are treacherous, so be sure your motor is up to snuff. At one point on the Tennessee river below Pickwick dam, I could do less than 2 knots against the current, at full throttle. I am in a Cheoy Lee 31 ketch with an 18hp diesel. There are also lots of debri and even trees in the rivers, so keep a good look-out. Downstream is fast with the current. I did a couple of easy 95 mile days downstream. I stayed at some beautil anchorages along the way. It's a great trip.

I'll be staying in Dog River for a few days, and have internet, so feel free to ask any questions.


Chuck

[tomwatt]

Not to rain on anyone's parade... most of Arkansas, Tennessee & upper Mississippi has flood warnings out. A friend reported that one of the local marinas on the Arkansas River was observed floating downriver (the whole marina docks). And there are expectations that the Mississippi River may surpass the 1927 flood mark. If so, anyone planning on river travel please observe caution. I realize you (the OP) are not planning on being on the Lower Mississippi, but even the Ohio is apparently flooding.
(edit: apparently the Ohio River surpassed the 1950 flood mark overnight now being listed at "Major" flood stage at just above 55 feet)

Wish you a safe and pleasant passage and will keep you in my prayers (prayers are okay on this board, right?).

[Heron]

Hey Marc... Glad to hear from you.  Keep in touch.  Did you check out the blog?  www.bobsuzbigadventure.blogspot.com

Chuck. Thanks for the info.  Found it interesting that you have a Cheoy Lee.  10 years ago Bob had a Luders 30 Cheoy Lee too, but sold it before his divorce.  Then he bought this 25' Pacific Seacraft & gutted it & renovated all.  We will check with you as the journey progresses.

Tom Watt... Yes we don't expect to be in the flooding areas until late July or early August, so we are hoping things settle down by then.  We will definitely be keeping an eye out on the situation down there.

[okawbow]

Hi Bob and Suzie.

The reason I mention the motor, is because on my first trip down, I had engine trouble the first day. I was sailing a Bristol 24 with a 1 cylinder Yanmar diesel. The motor blew a head gasket after only 4 hours. I fixed it myself, but it was a stressfull time, getting the parts, and doing the work.

I'd suggest to anyone doing the rivers, to have a spare head gasket, injector, belts ,hoses,  and plenty of fuel and oil filters. Also, bring an engine manual and tools, including a torque wrench.

Also, a word about anchors. I mostly use 2 anchors on the river. The reason is that many anchorages will not have enough swing room to rely on 1 anchor off the bow, before swinging too close to shore. . I set my bow anchor first, and depending on the depth, let out up to 200 feet of rode and chain. I then deploy a stern anchor and let out 50 to 100 feet of rode and chain. I pull up the slack from the bow, and the boat stays put, without swinging too much. This set-up held me in a storm with 70mph winds, even though one anchor bent the shank almost 90 degrees. I use Danforth anchors on the river.

[tomwatt]

Bob & Susie, I think you guys are going to have a great adventure!
Memphis news is now stating that floodwaters won't recede until June... the river won't crest there until sometime next week. I'm sure you'll be able to gauge your progress downriver and pause to enjoy the sights along the way so as to miss the worst of the flooding.
I love your choice of boats. Excellent taste in cruisers!