Chicago to Mobile Bay

Hampton

Hampton

Air Defense Dept
TECHNICAL Contributor
Nov 26, 2006
7,628
Panama City, Fl
Boat Info
2008 44 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
Well, we stumbled across a boat that may work out very well for us, but, we have to dig it out of the snow (actually stored inside) and float it down the river, or, truck it across the country.

It's 1250 miles from Chicago to Mobile by water (downstream, though). Anyone have any idea how fast we might plan to cruise down the rivers to Mobile? How much current can we count on?

When we cruise E-W around here, we cruise at the speed limit of 25 mph except when passing small boats or no-wake zones. Can we expect the same between Chicago and Mobile?
 
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I think I know the boat. Pictured in the water in Chicago with the boat name on the sides of the bridge? Sat dome on the hardtop in front of the radar?
 
Carver370 said:
I think I know the boat. Pictured in the water in Chicago with the boat name on the sides of the bridge? Sat dome on the hardtop in front of the radar?
Click to expand...

No, but that's a very nice boat with low hours. This one is extremely similar, but is more available to us due to who owns it.
 
John, I would advise to truck it and get her home rather than all of the time to get it through unfamiliar territory. The truck will take a week while your 250 mile trip only gets you to Mobile and you still have a ways to go. Truck her home, outfit her and have a great adventure!
 
John, I can't remember what you are looking for but if it is a bridge boat keep in mind there is a fixed bridge on your way out of Chicago with a height restriction of 18'.
 
There is usually a lot of ice on the Chicago River this time of year.....When you enter the Tennesse River off the Ohio, you start going upstream until you get to the Tenn-Tom Waterway at Pickwick. There are 2 locks on the Tennessee River. Going down the Tenn-Tom there are 10 locks to Mobile (I think). I have known people to do that in 1 day, but it's a killer. 2 days would be better, and I think it's about 400 miles. I would think this trip from Chicago to Mobile should be about a 1 week trip, unless you want to try and set some type of record.

Don
 
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NorCal Boater said:
John, I can't remember what you are looking for but if it is a bridge boat keep in mind there is a fixed bridge on your way out of Chicago with a height restriction of 18'.
Click to expand...

That is only if you go down the Chicago River. If you take the Cal Sag you avoid this all together. I barely squeeze under that one with my running light by a few inches.

On a delivery route, you probably want to avoid the Chicago river all together anyway since its slow and out of the way.

As far as ice, you aren't going anywhere until April by water, very very late March depending on the marina.
 
carterchapman said:
John,

That's on the Great Loop Route. Might find some info here:

http://www.greatloop.com/

One of my old squadron mates and his wife did it in '09/'10. Here's their blog...good read. You'll find the section from Chicago to the Gulf..

http://www.somewhereonthegreatloop.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Good blog - those things are hard to read. Scroll up, no down, no wait....

All good info - not an ice breaker, can't go down the Chicago River, save gas for going back up hill...
 
John...strongly consider trucking it if you are thinking about the next 90 days. At this time you have all of the winter mess to deal with and during March and April you'll have floods...along with sunken logs, trash and God knows what else.

To give you a cost handle...when I sent my 390 up to New Orleans it cost $3400.
 
I don't know about the area north of the Tennessee River, but John is right. From there down the Tenn-Tom at this time of year, expect all manner of crap in the water. There are very limited haul out facilities along the river when you do hit a log or stump.

Check with the marina .....they just quoted removing a bridge on a 40' bridge boat with full electronics for export. The boat is bring hauled to a port, either Miami or Jacksonville. That should give you a handle on taking the boat apart and putting it back together again.

Transporting is just a matter of getting a quote you can live with after considering cost, insurance, bonding, etc. Also, the broker you are working with at the marina has been successful in getting the contract hauler who moves new boats from Sea Ray to the dealers to help out on a back-haul for a discount. For the trucker it beats a dead head haul back to NE Fla from the great lakes area.
 
Frank - PM'd. Thank you.

We are getting estimates on shipping. Trying to gather all possible data.
 
If you do end up making the trip by water, I would love for me and any of the other Gulf Shores/Orange Beach CSR members to celebrate your new boat and meet up with you in Mobile Bay. We could have a boat parade thru the area with potentially stopping at one of the good local restaurants for a meal. Keep us updated!
 
John,
a couple of practical questions... How soon are you expecting to move this vessel. If it is REAL soon, truck is your only option. I had mine hauled from Ft Lauderdale to (30 miles from) Chicago in March 09 and it took three days. It was on a low-boy trailer so the arch remained attached (was still $6500 to haul). It needed chaser vehicles for the trip due to width. They did not run into any height issues. If you are looking at moving this vessel when the weather breaks - you STILL have to be carefull, as spring rains and a pretty good snow fall will rise the rivers levels and make the river run fast and with a lot of debris (hopefully a river runner can chime in) and prevent you from getting through some lift bridges that at normal water levels you would not need a lift. Then theres the time aspect - getting through with commercial traffic as it picks up in the mid to late spring.
If you need a crew - let me know I may be able to break free (doubtfull) but if you come up to check it out by all means IM me and maybe we can get togther for a beer! - Jeff
 
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