Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

[madurodave]

Hello! I live in Memphis, TN. One of the few perks it the great music scene. There is a nice ampitheater on Mud Island, downtown. I see a lot of boats anchored, listening to the tunes on Old Man River and I really want to give it a shot.

It terrifies me to put my little 21' out there...... There is a harbor that is somewhat calm that I may just try out for Journey on Aug 7th. Steely Dan on the 16th too!

The local marina tells me, "Of course. Your boat is just fine on the river." But, like it said, it is a scary proposition.

Can you offer me any advise or share your experiences? And tips and/or guidance is greatly apprectiated!

Thanks!

 

[QC]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Moved this over to Activities and Destinations Dave . . . I've been on the Mississippi once, when I was 14 and in Illinois, so I'll keep out of this one

 

[jr1017]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Hey, I live in Memphis to, and have been on the river a few times, 4 or 5 probably, and my boat is just a 17 footer. We launch at Mckeller lake, that park area mixed right in among an industrial park just off 240. From there, we take the lake to the river and then upstream to downtown. Don't know how far, maybe 10 miles or so one way. Lots of barges and industrial plants along the lake part, some nice scenary, we've seen lots of deer and birds along the shore. I still am not used to the feeling of coming from the lake to the river, as the river flows pretty good, so the boat does a shimmy shake when you first get on the river. The biggest thing for me is looking out for debris, especially when around barges that are moving up or down the river. (they seem to kick up alot of stuff), I really don't sit down at all during the trip just to keep the best visibility to avoid things. Once downtown, it's very cool. The marina, the pyramid, skyline and the bridges. Pretty cool. It's just unfortunate that either way from Memphis, it's just kinda plain. But just the thought that you are actually on the River, is kinda fun. Turn the motor off and you can see from the shore line just how fast you float down stream.

Give it a try, we only live once I say... Just make sure you have your life jackets close by, you feel confident your boat is in good mechanical shape, and keep an eye out for floaters (logs and debris). I have never gone above about 25 mph while on the river, and I usually stay as close to the center of the river as possible but around Memphis it's pretty deep all over because of the riverboats to. Over 50' deep just past the shoreline around mud island.

Happy boating, maybe I will see you out there sometime. I really want to get up to the Kentucky lake area to but I'm sure I will be on the river at least once more, been on it twice so far this year.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Hey, I live in Memphis to, and have been on the river a few times, 4 or 5 probably, and my boat is just a 17 footer. We launch at Mckeller lake, that park area mixed right in among an industrial park just off 240. From there, we take the lake to the river and then upstream to downtown. Don't know how far, maybe 10 miles or so one way. Lots of barges and industrial plants along the lake part, some nice scenary, we've seen lots of deer and birds along the shore. I still am not used to the feeling of coming from the lake to the river, as the river flows pretty good, so the boat does a shimmy shake when you first get on the river. The biggest thing for me is looking out for debris, especially when around barges that are moving up or down the river. (they seem to kick up alot of stuff), I really don't sit down at all during the trip just to keep the best visibility to avoid things. Once downtown, it's very cool. The marina, the pyramid, skyline and the bridges. Pretty cool. It's just unfortunate that either way from Memphis, it's just kinda plain. But just the thought that you are actually on the River, is kinda fun. Turn the motor off and you can see from the shore line just how fast you float down stream.

Give it a try, we only live once I say... Just make sure you have your life jackets close by, you feel confident your boat is in good mechanical shape, and keep an eye out for floaters (logs and debris). I have never gone above about 25 mph while on the river, and I usually stay as close to the center of the river as possible but around Memphis it's pretty deep all over because of the riverboats to. Over 50' deep just past the shoreline around mud island.

Happy boating, maybe I will see you out there sometime. I really want to get up to the Kentucky lake area to but I'm sure I will be on the river at least once more, been on it twice so far this year.

Great info! I do hope to see you out there. Going to give it a run oro two before trying this at night for the concerts. I have launched from McKeller when i first bought the boat but stayed clear of the river. Think I will have any issues dropping a hook around Mud Island?

 

[mrcool]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

What about the wake from the barges and some of the big boats on the river? do you get swamped? or can you avoid them? we have a chance to boat the mighty Missisip in Aug. up around LaCrosse Wis. but I have a 15 footer.

 

[outboardretard33]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

We are thinking of making a summer vacation out of traveling up the Mississippi, from New orleans to Dubuque/Davenport areas. Any thoughts? We have a 19' walkthrough, outboard. Only been on some smaller rivers down here in Pensacola, Fl that feed into the bay. They dont seem to have a fast current. My boat does ok in the bays up to about a moderate chop. In the pass to the gulf not good for much past calm, as the breakers are hard for me to gather enough courage. As the bow is going down the back side of a swell and watching the next swell dwarf the bow when we are at the lowest point, gets the heart pumping pretty good!

I've looked at a few charts online and noticed there were about 10 locks along Illinois. Anybody have any experience using them? Dubuque is at mile marker 583, I haven't found an approximate marker for New Orleans yet. But I'm guesstimating maybe 150? So roughly 430 miles to travel, one way. I will have to buy a complete river map. Another concern is fuel. I have a total of 30 gallons main and reserve. I probably would need to get another 12 gal tank. But will have problems finding a place to put it. Also are there any State parks along the way, that one could camp at? Certain parts of this trip remind me of the movie Deliverance.

 

[jr1017]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Great info! I do hope to see you out there. Going to give it a run oro two before trying this at night for the concerts. I have launched from McKeller when i first bought the boat but stayed clear of the river. Think I will have any issues dropping a hook around Mud Island?

Sounds good, let us know how it goes! Will you launch right from Memphis Yacht club? I have never found out if you have to be a member there to use the ramp or not. I don't think you should have any issues with dropping a hook or anything. I can tell you I have just 50' of line with my anchor and I was out there the night of the 4th of July for the show. I was outside of the channel between the shore and mud island and had to get pretty close to the shore to even hit bottom. (I need to get another 50' or so), otherwise the current swifts you away pretty quickly, I don't have a depth gauge yet so I don't know how much it varies or anything, that would be nice to know. A couple of times I have seen a few decent waves, but it takes quite a bit to get me excited and I've been through much bigger waves on Pickwick. Journey would be great to see, but bummer it's my wifes birthday, and she would like to do other things than see them, but I think I heard willie is coming to.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

That Steely concert sound phenomenal, gotta get out there for that.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Journey tomorrow night! I am nervous as heck! Wish me luck! I'll take pics!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

How is it looking for Steely Dan this Friday ?

 

[madurodave]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

How is it looking for Steely Dan this Friday ?

I will be there Sat night!

 

[madurodave]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

We had a great time! Met a buddy up there and we all rafted up!

 

[wh0pper]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

Was waiting on the photos, looks like a good time. I have been there a few times but road all the way down river from Tiptonville. It was nice ride. I have been on the river in a 14' jon boat with 25 horse. That was crazy but we made it. Good luck on your adventures.

 

[Jamie Z]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

I'm in Memphis. Currently, the boat's housed at Riverside Marina on McKeller lake. I've only had it out on the River twice now, and just for short jaunts. Haven't made it up to downtown yet. Waiting until the boat is a little more reliable. Working out some bugs.

Can't wait though. The thought of watching fireworks or listening to concerts from the river is pretty cool.

I've looked at a few charts online and noticed there were about 10 locks along Illinois. Anybody have any experience using them? Dubuque is at mile marker 583, I haven't found an approximate marker for New Orleans yet. But I'm guesstimating maybe 150? So roughly 430 miles to travel, one way. I will have to buy a complete river map.

A couple of things: Locks are easy. Don't even sweat about that. The worst thing about the locks is that occasionally you have to wait an hour or two because a tow is going through. After you go through a lock once, it's boring.

New Orleans is around river mile 90, but that doesn't mean there are 500 river miles between New Orleans and Iowa. You haven't done your research very well.

The Mississippi is divided into Upper and Lower portions. The upper river is measured from the confluence of the Ohio, and the lower river is measured from Head of Passes, where the main channel of the Mississippi splits into three channels in very southern Louisiana. So when you see that Dubuque is at river mile 583, it means that Dubuque is 583 miles from Cairo, Illinois.

Looks like you have some research to do before heading out on the River.

Jamie

 

[riverkeg]

Re: Boating on the Mighty Mississippi

New Orleans to Iowa is definately a haul for sure but I know people that have done it. And you really have to plan your fuel usage. I boat in pools 15, 16 & 18 and the places that have on-water fuel are Oquawka (pool 18), Muscatine (17), Rock Island (16), Davenport (15) and maybe one in Moline (also 15). There may be others but those are the ones I know about. And there are also some nice islands to camp on in pools 18, 17 & 16 if you don't mind not having facilities. At Keithsburg in pool 18, there's a public camground on the river that does have facilities. Good luck and happy boating.

 

[stevetedder]

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