mississippi delta

[giraffehappy]

Does anyone know whether the Mississippi delta is a good place to cruise? It is still in the hurricane belt, so what do local boats do in the hurricane season? Can you sit out the Carribbean hurricane season in the Mississippi delta? Can't find any info. in Jimmy Cornell's world cruising routes...................

 

[Salty John]

You need the Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast by Claiborne S. Young. When a hurricane threatens the local boats hole up in creeks and rivers and marinas and check their insurance, like they do anywhere in the hurricane belt. In my opinion this is not a good cruising area, but I'm sure many local boaters love it and will sing it's praises. Lake Pontchartrain and the entrance to Mississippi sound are interesting, and close to the Big Easy, which is worth a visit.

 

[PaulS]

The Coastal Pilot may be of some help to you. Download free in PDF format at
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot5.htm

 

[AndrewB]

There is a popular long-distance cruising circuit called 'The Loop' which is anticlockwise round eastern USA. North up the ICW from Florida, through the Erie canal into the Great Lakes, out through the Illinois & Michigan canal to join the Mississippi, south down the Mississippi to the Gulf and then along the ICW east to Florida. A couple who have recently completed The Loop spoke about it at the Cruising Association in January. Pilot guides are available for all stages, including the Mississippi.

However going up the Mississippi, or cruising generally there in a low speed yacht, is ruled out by the strong currents involved. I believe they can reach 8 knots in places, and are around 5 knots in the Delta. Lake Pontchartrain, which Js48 mentions, is a popular sailing area but IMHO offering very little of interest for cruising.