Has anybody taken a boat down the Mississippi river?

Question

I plan to start up north and take a couple months in the fall to take a boat down the Mississippi. I was just wondering how far south you can realistically go on a houseboat?

Answer 1

i do it all the time. i'm a riverboat captain.i'm on the river right now. you better wait til the river goes back down because the river is at the highest it has been in over 10 yrs. its very dangerous even in low river. a house boat would not be the best choice in watercraft, but it is doable. the best time should be late summer, july august. the eddy currents right now are severe and an inexperienced person will be in grave danger. you can go all the way to the gulf of mexico with no problem. thats where they'll find the bodies.

Answer 2

The river between St. Paul and St. Louis is great fun, and beautiful. Many , many friendly people and ports. South of St. Louis the river gets very fast, dangerous, and very little to see.   Also, there are very few marinas to gas up.

Now I have read an article in Outside magazine that contradicts that, but when I was down the river last year I was amazed at how fast the water was running, and there were no swimming signs posted all along the river.

My recommendation would be to cross over to the Tenn-Tom waterway, and head down that way.

I would love to lead a houseboat tour of the river up north, (Red Wing to Dubuque) with three or four couples, taking photos in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon. Do you think something like that would fly?.........er float?