Raft down the Mississippi

[John Beard]

Originally Posted by amazonhippie

It is dangerous, but not THAT dangerous. You can take any vessel (that fits) through the locks. You should have a motor to get out of the barge's way. REMEMBER: When you're in the middle of a giant river, you can't tell how fast you or others are moving. I believe that anything over 10 hp. must be liscensed. So, get a 9.5 hp. or less. i'm looking for someone to raft the mississippi with me. I've paddled the lower part in a canoe, but I want to do the entire length on a homade raft. If you're interested post a reply.

I would like to talk to you about rafting the Miss. as I've been working on a plan for years and am getting close.

[John Beard]

I would like to hear from anyone who has "rafted" some or all of the Miss. river. I am preparing to do this and want to gather information from first hand experience.

[mbeall]

my friend and i had been interested in canoeing or rafting part of the mississippi, primarily the lower half, south of cairo, IL, and i had heard that there weren't any locks down that way, is that true? also, i wanted to know what the traffic was like down that way, and how sketchy the people in the towns down there were. thanks

[safewalrus]

Originally Posted by trimarandan

if you just stay alert and not do anything rediculas you'll be ok but if your getting in over your head you can always just paddel to the side and rethink your plan,

I guess by the time your getting to this stage you got yourself a big problem! was there a 'pun' intended? one wonders?

As for not doing it, that's NOT what the experts are saying, what they are saying is DO NOT overreach your capabilities this can be a dangerous thing your doing, it could get you killed, it could also get them killed when they have to stop the job they are doing to rescue some idiot who's put the whole bloody river at risk! their job funnily enough is not to go rescuing fools but to get on with whatever they are doing for the good of the country etc and primarily THEIR OWN FAMILIES! "Sorry Mr's Snaffleburger your children do not have a father any longer because he died today trying to rescue some numpty trying to sail down the river in an empty oil drum for fun!" does not go down to well (Especially when your six years old!)

Think about it, have a go if you want but for Chrissakes be careful!!!!

[SamSam]

Originally Posted by mbeall

my friend and i had been interested in canoeing or rafting part of the mississippi, primarily the lower half, south of cairo, IL, and i had heard that there weren't any locks down that way, is that true? also, i wanted to know what the traffic was like down that way, and how sketchy the people in the towns down there were. thanks

Apparently there is one more at St. Louis. From what I've heard the lower Mississippi is lined with levee's and so you see nothing but levees. This ought to give you something to think about...
http://members.aol.com/americacruisi...ppi-lower.html
The upper Mississippi is much more enjoyable. Sam
http://members.aol.com/americacruisi...ppi-upper.html

[longliner45]

the mississippi river is very unforgiving ,,40ft loggs pop to the surface at 6knots or so ,( ask river boat captons about holes in the hulls), the currant is very strong ,especially at forks where other rivers or streams merg, the river changes daily It would probably be safer to ride an innertube from cuba to key west . but I admire you gusto! was gonna do it myself ,had a great lakes resque boat ,was gonna be a fisherman in the gulf of mexico,I was talked out of it by my fishing buddys,and it was cheaper to drag it to destin,and fish for 10 yrs. think before you do,and think about you future,,,,,,have fun longliner

[Wellydeckhand]

Even in Indonesia where river have less traffic is killing people in big number to does who laugh and scorn on river spirit................

Just be careful......... and think carefully....... get news publicity and buy more policy on health and accident..... that is more of a sure bet.

[Nikkiberry]

Originally Posted by qwist04

My friends and I are planning on rafting down the Mississippi River (starting where the St. Croix River empties into the Mississipppi, just south of the Twin Cities in MN) to St. Louis, MO. There are four of us, and we plan on using paddles for "power". Could anyone offer me some help, or point to where I can find some? Also, would it be possible to attach a sail, or would that probably be too much work?

hey, me and another friend are fixin on makin a raft and goin down the river too, have you already done it? can you give any advice to me so we dont parish? we want to go from minnesota to louisianna. some folk say we're crazy, but i kow alot of folk have done it.
good luck and thanks!
Nik - ashtred@aol.com

[John Beard]

Nik, I have several good accounts and web sites for rafting the M. Please PM or Email me .John jcbeard99@yahoo.com

[Ari]

I'am used to bamboo raft..been rafting since my boyhood days..rafting down a river is very nice but in certain areas it might become too hazardous. Make your raft easy to control type..I love to have an engine to assist..it might save your life..Rowing a canoe is streanuos enough..what about paddling a poorly design raft ?

[rafter]

I did it solo on a homebuilt in 2003, from minneapolis to donaldsonville, about 1,700 miles or so in 28 days, but it was all motoring. I agree you def. need a motor (i even had a backup) and had a deepcycle for talking to the barge caps and bridges and locks and entertainment. I have a lot of pics. It's def. doable. My design had some bad flaws, and some great ones. I basically just copied the floating neutrinos and then added a little overhead cover in the middle. Email me if you want any help.
nsykes@uwsuper.edu

[DaylightBrigade]

I would also like to join in, Ive done a few small rafts, one trip for a week with a homemade 22X10 ft. raft. To reiterate what rafter just said - These guys have an interesting thing going - http://www.floatingneutrinos.com/

[tom kane]

If you are going to trip down 'OLD GLORY' please don`t keep the adventure to your self.There are are many very interesting books and stories I have read and I have enjoyed them greatly.'OLD GLORY' by Jonathan Raban who went all the way about 1980`s was one.There have been articles in the Popular Mechanics magazines about rafters doing shorter parts in their holidays and they make me envious,my type of adventure.

[Frosty]

Hey Tom. Not seen you around for a while, ave yer been on holiday?

[tom kane]

Hi jackfrost,have been selling up old outboard collections and other gear to reduce time consuming work load and planning a down river trip (unfortuneatly not Mississppi) like these guys,which is a mighty challenging river.Some people do the trip in stages to have good wheather and take a break,but you don`t notice that when you read about it.I have a lot of portraits people want me to paint (including grand child) so I have to make space to work.