My Mississippi River voyage!
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
My Mississippi River voyage!
Well here goes!
I'm having some trouble posting pics with the black berry but I'll atleast take a shot at it.
Here goes.....
Nope, not gonna work !
yes, I'm pissed right now....
So I'll just tell you all 'bout the trip. I rode in the rain the first day, stayed warm and dry in the enclosure. I hit Lake City Mn. (Lake Pepin) at about 6:30 pm. To late to buy gas so I chucked the anchor about 100 ft of shore of the marina and prepared for the night. Got gas the next day and continued. Pepin was a little bit rough but do-able. Wind picked up but I pushed on and made it to Dresback. The lockmaster told me about a channel further down stream for some protection, a big storm was coming in. I fortunately was able to tie to a boathouse to get some protection, glad I didn't have the kids with me on this one. The next day looked a lot better, I had breakfast at the Pettibone marina in La Crosse Wi. and showered. No wind at all now, pushed on for Lansing Ia. Got there early, I was pretty excited that I made it. Stopped in at the Local bar and had a couple of coctails, picked up some supplies and after about three hrs. started for home. A beautiful day, stopped for the night just outside of Stoddard Wi. the lockmaster at lock 7 said they had 64 mph. gusts the storm night . I continued on and once again stopped at the Pettibone marina for breakfast. Wind started to pick up, now it was coming from the north. As they opened the gates at lock 4 I wondered what the heck I was doing, the water was way choppy, had a barge on the left waiting for me so he could lock through, dam off to the right, honda don't fail me now! It was really rough on the water and lots of wind. I had a hard time keeping the prop in the water, motor tilted all the way down, waves crashing against the bow so hard that it broke the latch on the front gate, I was amazed at the abuse the enclosure was able to endure from the waves crashing against it. I was hoping to get to Lake City but had to stop at Wabasha instead, it was just way to rough out there. I tied up to the local marina, showered and visited with some travelers before turning in. I expected things to be better the next day but as soon as I hit big water the waves were there waiting. I got to Lake Pepin and it was horrible! it's about 25 miles across and I could only travel at about 3-4 mph. Happy to finally get through and found some protection from some narrower channels. Finally stopped for the night just below the Red Wing dam. The winds died down and I got a good night sleep. Stopped again for B-fast in Prescott Wi. Made it to Watergate marina at about 2pm. I don't know exactly how many miles I covered but I'm guessing it was about 400. I burned about a gallon and a half of gas per hour and average about 7.5 miles an hour. It was a trip I'll soon not forget but next time I'll do it on a house boat.
I'm having some trouble posting pics with the black berry but I'll atleast take a shot at it.
Here goes.....
Nope, not gonna work !
yes, I'm pissed right now....
So I'll just tell you all 'bout the trip. I rode in the rain the first day, stayed warm and dry in the enclosure. I hit Lake City Mn. (Lake Pepin) at about 6:30 pm. To late to buy gas so I chucked the anchor about 100 ft of shore of the marina and prepared for the night. Got gas the next day and continued. Pepin was a little bit rough but do-able. Wind picked up but I pushed on and made it to Dresback. The lockmaster told me about a channel further down stream for some protection, a big storm was coming in. I fortunately was able to tie to a boathouse to get some protection, glad I didn't have the kids with me on this one. The next day looked a lot better, I had breakfast at the Pettibone marina in La Crosse Wi. and showered. No wind at all now, pushed on for Lansing Ia. Got there early, I was pretty excited that I made it. Stopped in at the Local bar and had a couple of coctails, picked up some supplies and after about three hrs. started for home. A beautiful day, stopped for the night just outside of Stoddard Wi. the lockmaster at lock 7 said they had 64 mph. gusts the storm night . I continued on and once again stopped at the Pettibone marina for breakfast. Wind started to pick up, now it was coming from the north. As they opened the gates at lock 4 I wondered what the heck I was doing, the water was way choppy, had a barge on the left waiting for me so he could lock through, dam off to the right, honda don't fail me now! It was really rough on the water and lots of wind. I had a hard time keeping the prop in the water, motor tilted all the way down, waves crashing against the bow so hard that it broke the latch on the front gate, I was amazed at the abuse the enclosure was able to endure from the waves crashing against it. I was hoping to get to Lake City but had to stop at Wabasha instead, it was just way to rough out there. I tied up to the local marina, showered and visited with some travelers before turning in. I expected things to be better the next day but as soon as I hit big water the waves were there waiting. I got to Lake Pepin and it was horrible! it's about 25 miles across and I could only travel at about 3-4 mph. Happy to finally get through and found some protection from some narrower channels. Finally stopped for the night just below the Red Wing dam. The winds died down and I got a good night sleep. Stopped again for B-fast in Prescott Wi. Made it to Watergate marina at about 2pm. I don't know exactly how many miles I covered but I'm guessing it was about 400. I burned about a gallon and a half of gas per hour and average about 7.5 miles an hour. It was a trip I'll soon not forget but next time I'll do it on a house boat.
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Hopefully pics to follow....
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Sounds like you had an interesting trip. You did this alone?
Carl & Suzi
07 Bennington 2275rl triton w/ strakes
150 Honda 15x15p Enertia prop
Power assisted steering
Denver, NC Lake Norman
Pleiku, Vietnam 1971
Agent Orange survivor (so far)
07 Bennington 2275rl triton w/ strakes
150 Honda 15x15p Enertia prop
Power assisted steering
Denver, NC Lake Norman
Pleiku, Vietnam 1971
Agent Orange survivor (so far)
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
yup, it was a solo trip.
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Sounds like one hell of an experience, especially dealing with the wind.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
- HandymanHerb
- Site Admin
- Posts: 14315
- Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:57 pm
- Location: Orlando Fla
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Cool, wish the weather could have been better for you.
In Memory of John 6x6 Larsen
-
- Posts: 2916
- Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:32 pm
- Location: Lake Oconee, Ga.
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Sounds like some trip. I have always wanted to do a long trip like that. When I would go down our river in a raft and get to the destination point and want to keep on going, seems like there is always something new around the next bend in a river. You could use google earth and use the ruler to plot your course, should give you a pretty accurate reading of the distance you covered. Enjoyed hearing about the trip
doc
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Thanks guys,
Yup, it was a great trip. I made the mistake of pushing to hard though, I passed by a lot of spots that woulda made for a great afternoon nap. Also, next time the wife will come along, it got a bit lonely at times.
Forgot to mention the raft I came across, 3 college kids, they called themselves the sea monkeys. The raft was about 8 by 20 and was powered by what looked to be a 5 hp merc. 4 stroke. I talked to them on the radio while the rain was coming down, they planned to make it to the gulf. Seems lot's of guys dream the Huck and Tom adventure.
Yup, it was a great trip. I made the mistake of pushing to hard though, I passed by a lot of spots that woulda made for a great afternoon nap. Also, next time the wife will come along, it got a bit lonely at times.
Forgot to mention the raft I came across, 3 college kids, they called themselves the sea monkeys. The raft was about 8 by 20 and was powered by what looked to be a 5 hp merc. 4 stroke. I talked to them on the radio while the rain was coming down, they planned to make it to the gulf. Seems lot's of guys dream the Huck and Tom adventure.
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
That sounds like a blast.
Would love to do a trip like that.
Would love to do a trip like that.
SMLTOONER
Ted & Emily
2019 Bennington 21SL Tri-toon
2019 Yamaha 150 HP
Smith Mtn. Lake, Virginia
Ted & Emily
2019 Bennington 21SL Tri-toon
2019 Yamaha 150 HP
Smith Mtn. Lake, Virginia
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Welcome back!!!
That trip sounds Awesome!!!
Good for you for taking such an adventurous trip!!
That trip sounds Awesome!!!
Good for you for taking such an adventurous trip!!
--------------------
--------------------
'07 22 ft SunTracker Regency 135hp i/o
'02 Dodge 2500, Edge Juice w/Attitude
Colorado Springs, CO.
--------------------
'07 22 ft SunTracker Regency 135hp i/o
'02 Dodge 2500, Edge Juice w/Attitude
Colorado Springs, CO.
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
I came across these guys in Wabasha Mn.( where grumpy old men was filmed) just came across their blog...
http://www.raftthemississippi.com/2009/07/launch.html
http://www.raftthemississippi.com/2009/07/launch.html
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
My wife wants to set up a sort of family reunion along the mississippi river for a toon trip. We would pick up different family members and drop off others along the way. Hopefully get it worked out in the next year or so. The mississippi river looks like quite an ambitious undertaking...need to get syked up for that trip. Don't know if I would have done it alone...........Kudos to you.
2009 Party Barge 24
90hp Mercury Optimax
Camper Enclosure by Paul's Custom Canvas Inc.
Beer by "ANYONE"
Colorado Springs, CO
Stop Talking About It and Do It
revslev
90hp Mercury Optimax
Camper Enclosure by Paul's Custom Canvas Inc.
Beer by "ANYONE"
Colorado Springs, CO
Stop Talking About It and Do It
revslev
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Actually not that bad on the northern end. I've been told it doubles in speed once you come out of St.Louis. Lots of sandbars to hang out at, Some parts near me are 7 miles wide so the open areas can be a bit choppy. You need info feel free to holler.
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
Seeing this get bumped back up reminds me again of what an Awesome trip that would be!
--------------------
--------------------
'07 22 ft SunTracker Regency 135hp i/o
'02 Dodge 2500, Edge Juice w/Attitude
Colorado Springs, CO.
--------------------
'07 22 ft SunTracker Regency 135hp i/o
'02 Dodge 2500, Edge Juice w/Attitude
Colorado Springs, CO.
Re: My Mississippi River voyage!
You better put it on the agenda then walt!
actually I think it would be a blast to do a pontoon convoy,
any takers?
actually I think it would be a blast to do a pontoon convoy,
any takers?
'99 18' Monark Suncaster
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!
50 hp Honda
Canvas Craft Enclosure
The Mighty Mississippi !!