motoring sailboat down the Mississippi?

[jtschetter]

I would like to motor my Hunter 40 (6'-6" draft) down the Mississippi from Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. I will either carry my mast on board or trailer it down. I am seeking advise and possible pitfalls.

[zeehag]

have you considered the current and the traffic on mississippi river as it flows more south...is extremely busy river..mebbe try tenn tom instead?? would be an easier passage for ye.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by zeehag

have you considered the current and the traffic on mississippi river as it flows more south...is extremely busy river..mebbe try tenn tom instead?? would be an easier passage for ye.

Much better idea. I'd go look at it first. I've motorboated on the lower Mississippi several times and it is not somewhere I would want to be with only 7 knots or so of available speed. When a 25 barge two comes around the bend, with the current, you just have to see it to believe what it looks like from the river view.

I've sailed offshore and have never been as scared as I have been on the Mississippi at times.

[jtschetter]

Thanks for the input. Is it practical to go from the upper Mississippi to the TVA system with a boat such as mine?