Hi,

I really appreciate the help. Yes I agree with the go try a lake
first idea.

Can't really do the hands on boating here in Finland without owning a
boat.

The marina search site is a real boon too.

Thanks,
Mike

On Thu, 10 May 2007 15:53:46 -0500, Rick Morel
wrote:

On Thu, 10 May 2007 21:27:33 +0300, SharewareRadio.com
wrote:

Hi,

Sorry to bother you guys but I haven't been able to find much
information in other places.

I am an American who lives in both Finland and Guatemala. Usually at
this time of the year we would be preparing to go to our home in
Guatemala for the summer once school gets out here.

However I've always dreamed of spending time on a houseboat cruising
around the Mississippi river so I just bought this:
http://tinyurl.com/32ukra


First, try http://www.marinafinder.com/
Just put in the city. I put in "St. Louis just to see and in came back
with some.

Don't let Larry scare you off. The flooding is expected to last a
while, but all things pass. I really don't think it'll matter that
much anyway. Add quite a bit to your speed going downriver :-) and
should be enough power to handle.

You can check http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/nic2/default.cfm

and http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/info.htm

I couldn't find any info on current speeds. Might be there. I've been
in the river at New Orleans, from one lock to the next. Sometimes the
current is 4, 5 or 6 Kts. I did call them a couple hurricanes ago,
thinking to go up the Atchafalaya River. The gentleman I spoke to was
very nice and gave me all the info I needed. They do currents in ft.
per sec., BTW.

You won't find many, or any marinas on the lower Mississippi. Carry
plenty of gas and some plastic jerry cans for that pleasant walk to a
land service station and back.

First of all we want to do the online America's Boating Course. This
page says there is an online version:
http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/

But I can't find it.

Apparently you have to sign up and pay $$$. It's not going to show you
how to handle a boat - you've got to get some hands on. Any chance of
a course in Finland? I'm sure you can find one in FL or MN. A
suggestion. Launch your vessel in one of MN's many lakes and spend a
few days enjoying that before hitting the river current.

Lots of good info at: http://www.uscgboating.org/

Hope this helps!

Rick

http://www.morelr.com/valkyrie