On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:49:29 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

Wayne, he or they do such a good job on detail and easy to understand writing that it makes cruising a lot more user friendly...

===

I agree. There is a lot of good information out there that would
take a lot of time and research to pull together by yourself. One of
the best cruises we ever took was inspired by some postings right here
on "rec.boats" back in the late '90s. My advice is to start small and
build your confidence and skills. There is a lot of fun to be had
even if you never do the whole loop. It's a great dream however
which has inspired a lot of people.

On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 00:15:27 -0400, wrote:

On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 22:53:16 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:49:29 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

Wayne, he or they do such a good job on detail and easy to understand writing that it makes cruising a lot more user friendly...

===

I agree. There is a lot of good information out there that would
take a lot of time and research to pull together by yourself. One of
the best cruises we ever took was inspired by some postings right here
on "rec.boats" back in the late '90s. My advice is to start small and
build your confidence and skills. There is a lot of fun to be had
even if you never do the whole loop. It's a great dream however
which has inspired a lot of people.

If I had the boat for it, the time and the money I would like to try
that loop that goes up the East coast, through the canals to the Great
Lakes and down the Mississippi.


That's generally known as doing the Great Loop. There are quite a few
web sites devoted to it. The preferred route is to turn off the
Mississippi onto the Ohio River and then down through the Kentucky
River, Kentucky Lakes, and then south to the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway which terminates in Mobile, AL. The lower Mississippi is a
tough place for small boats and fuel stops are few and far between.

It might also be interesting to retrace Lewis and Clark with the
portage across the continental divide and other choke points done on a
trailer.

Maybe I am just thinking about it because that is all you see in that
whole midwest/west area when you are up there.
I think the US Park System will stop you at the Yellowstone park
wilderness area. I know there was a big controversy about whether they
should even allow kayaking in the park when I was there. (you can't
now).
Once you pulled out there you could start back up on the Snake but you
would need to "portage" over about 20 dams.

That is all just a dream tho. I haven't even been from here to Stewart
;-)

===

There's no reason why you couldn't go to Stuart and a lot farther in
your pontoon. With shallow draft you don't even need to cross the
open part of Lake Okeeechobee although you could on the right day. We
have seen a lot of pontoons going north on the ICW portion of the
Indian River and beyond. With some camper canvas and judicious
weather selection there's no reason why you couldn't make it to the
eastern end of Long Island Sound.

If you want some real inspiration about what can be done in a small
boat, take a look at this:

http://www.amazon.com/River-Horse-Logbook-Boat-Across-America/dp/0140298606#

Speaking of details I appreciate the advice on how to prepare for a cruise and the point of fuel usage etc. I'm really enjoying this site. http://captainjohn.org/GreatLoopboat.html

On 6/27/14, 11:31 AM, wrote:
On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 00:45:02 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 00:15:27 -0400, wrote:

On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 22:53:16 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:49:29 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

Wayne, he or they do such a good job on detail and easy to understand writing that it makes cruising a lot more user friendly...

===

I agree. There is a lot of good information out there that would
take a lot of time and research to pull together by yourself. One of
the best cruises we ever took was inspired by some postings right here
on "rec.boats" back in the late '90s. My advice is to start small and
build your confidence and skills. There is a lot of fun to be had
even if you never do the whole loop. It's a great dream however
which has inspired a lot of people.

If I had the boat for it, the time and the money I would like to try
that loop that goes up the East coast, through the canals to the Great
Lakes and down the Mississippi.


That's generally known as doing the Great Loop. There are quite a few
web sites devoted to it. The preferred route is to turn off the
Mississippi onto the Ohio River and then down through the Kentucky
River, Kentucky Lakes, and then south to the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway which terminates in Mobile, AL. The lower Mississippi is a
tough place for small boats and fuel stops are few and far between.

I have heard some scary stories of guys dodging barge trains on the
lower mississippi.


It might also be interesting to retrace Lewis and Clark with the
portage across the continental divide and other choke points done on a
trailer.

Maybe I am just thinking about it because that is all you see in that
whole midwest/west area when you are up there.
I think the US Park System will stop you at the Yellowstone park
wilderness area. I know there was a big controversy about whether they
should even allow kayaking in the park when I was there. (you can't
now).
Once you pulled out there you could start back up on the Snake but you
would need to "portage" over about 20 dams.

That is all just a dream tho. I haven't even been from here to Stewart
;-)

===

There's no reason why you couldn't go to Stuart and a lot farther in
your pontoon. With shallow draft you don't even need to cross the
open part of Lake Okeeechobee although you could on the right day. We
have seen a lot of pontoons going north on the ICW portion of the
Indian River and beyond. With some camper canvas and judicious
weather selection there's no reason why you couldn't make it to the
eastern end of Long Island Sound.

If you want some real inspiration about what can be done in a small
boat, take a look at this:

http://www.amazon.com/River-Horse-Logbook-Boat-Across-America/dp/0140298606#

I really do not have any interest in boat camping, particularly on my
boat. Now if I had a nice trawler ... ;-)



We're planning a cruise south for either July or August, to Hilton Head
Island and environs. Hurricane season, of course.

--
If right-wing assholes could fly,
rec.boats would be an airport!

On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:55:44 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

We're planning a cruise south for either July or August, to Hilton Head
Island and environs. Hurricane season, of course.

===

Drive safely, fasten your seat belt and watch out for traffic jams.

On Saturday, June 28, 2014 3:58:42 PM UTC-4, Wayne. B wrote:
On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:55:44 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:



We're planning a cruise south for either July or August, to Hilton Head

Island and environs. Hurricane season, of course.



===



Drive safely, fasten your seat belt and watch out for traffic jams.

Heh, heh. I'm close by. If he'd let me know when and where, I'd like to meet the old man. Aren't many old dinosaurs like that around.

On Sat, 28 Jun 2014 15:58:42 -0400, Wayne.B wrote:

On Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:55:44 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:

We're planning a cruise south for either July or August, to Hilton Head
Island and environs. Hurricane season, of course.

===

Drive safely, fasten your seat belt and watch out for traffic jams.

The stewardess will make sure that seat belt's fastened.