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