Raft down the Mississippi

[mons]

Originally Posted by bigriverraft

I recently completed a 1000 mile raft trip on the Mississippi. It is quite doable in a homemade raft. No problems with tows, no problems with current or turbulence. No real problems at all...just a great trip with amazing scenery and kind and generous people all along the way...met a number of other people doing the trip in canoes and rafts. If you want to do a raft trip down the river
research it well and talk to people who have actually done it. All the horror stories I heard were from people who had not done it, while all the encouragement I got was from people who had...the trip down the river was probably less dangerous than the truck ride to launch...just do your homework and pay attention

I just finished the trip from Minneapolis to New Orleans in six weeks total total on a homemade raft. I agree with bigriverraft entirely. We even ran into locals who told us to stop and cut the trip short. I believe the people who try to shoot you down had never got to do it themselves and thus want to believe that it's impossible and/or miserable. Probably so they don't feel like they've been missing out on anything. Anyone who has made the trip is far more rely able than anyone who has not. It is, in fact, the experience of a lifetime.

Anyone with the will can do it. But if you go for it, do your homework. Research research research before you ever get onto the water. Navigation charts are essential as well.

If I were to do it again, I'd avoid night driving at all costs. When we ran at night when we had to. We kept a spotter with a spotlight on the front deck, and kept the marine radio on at all times. There were still a few close calls and just plane shitty times. Try getting lost in the dark with nothing in view but water... Something everyone wants to avoid.

Check out some of our stories at raftthemississippi.com

[ryan112ryan]

I am in the planning phase of my trip right now, I was hoping some folks here could help me out with a question.

I am trying to figure out what size motor to get. There is of course the issue to contend with anything over 10HP makes things more complicated with rules and also costs more.

I was thinking 12 x 16 foot or 16 by 16 foot.

For the larger raft dry weight is 630 lbs (including 30 gallons gas) without gear.


I still don't have a finalized raft design, but here is a work in progress so far.