Grand Rapids,MI to Mobile,AL

[Gaul]

I am looking at purchasing a 24 foot Bruce Roberts designed boat located in Grand Rapids. While it does have a trailor that I can use to bring it down to Mobile, the much more fun option would be to sail it down the river.

So how long would it take for me to get down the Mississippi River to the TN Tombigbee waterway to Mobile?
Is there a bad season for this other than it just might be kind of cold if I wait too long?
Are there any low bridges? (<40 feet)

[CrazyRu]

America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association
GreatLoopCruiser.com

[Freesail99]

Unless your in a complete news black out, it is not the best of times to do anything on the Mississippi River. With all the flooding and junk ( trees, houses ) floating in the river, it will be a while till it will be safe again to sail on.

[Gaul]

It would be at a minimum August if not closer to October before I would actually be able to do this.

[tommyt]

It really depends on the engine because you will be using it a lot. Friends that have done it in powerboats don't time it in weeks, but in dollars. Those were in 90's dollars, at $5.00 a gallon, lots of money.

[micksbuddy]

You have to be able to get under 19' at Chicago going from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river, after that I believe the bridges aren't below 52' to Mobile. Obviously sailboats have to take the stick down for that and quite a few of them ship it to Mobile since you're basically a motorboat till then anyways. Another thing to keep in mind is that fuel availability from St Louis to Kentucky Lake can be tricky. One thing in your favor as far as fuel consumption is the currents are helping you out for the most part, except for about 60 miles of the Ohio River. If you're going to make this run(I did it in a powerboat and parts of it are certainly worthwhile), Skipper Bob publications has a Chicago to Mobile cruising guide that you should pick up.

[Gaul]

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into the Chicago to Mobile cruising guide. Also, thanks for the links above.