LongJohn
Senior Member
So, I've closed on this new to me Mainship 34 sedan trawler. In 3 weeks, I'll start down the Illinois River from Chicago headed for Tennessee River Mile 547. I'll solo the Illinois, my son will crew for the Mississippi and Ohio leg, and I'll solo the Tennessee. Barring too much excitement, it should take me 3-4 weeks. I'm comfortable with the solo aspect. This boat is smaller than the houseboat that I've been single handing through the Tn River locks for a few years, with much better nav electronics. And if it is blowing like stink, I just check the anchor a little more frequently.
The boat had been stripped clean except for required safety equipment; not even a coffee cup left behind. I'm stocking minimum spares: raw water impellers, fuel filters, various fuses, head repair kit, lines, fenders. There's no ship's log so I have no idea what breaks. If I need any special tools then I'm screwed. I've watched uTube videos of fuel filter changes. I've always owned gas boats and performed my own even major maintenance. This is the first diesel that I've had. The boat was moved 400 miles on it's own bottom to the brokerage location last fall, so equipment shouldn't be too bad. Survey went well.
I've bought and read the waterway guides to research the route. I'm a little anxious about the ~275 miles of Mississippi and Ohio Rivers without repair facilities and I'm trying to minimize the amount of "adventure" associated with the trip. Lock closures and barge traffic I understand, but if you folks who've experienced this route have any little pearls of wisdom that you could share, I'd be appreciative. thankslaot
The boat had been stripped clean except for required safety equipment; not even a coffee cup left behind. I'm stocking minimum spares: raw water impellers, fuel filters, various fuses, head repair kit, lines, fenders. There's no ship's log so I have no idea what breaks. If I need any special tools then I'm screwed. I've watched uTube videos of fuel filter changes. I've always owned gas boats and performed my own even major maintenance. This is the first diesel that I've had. The boat was moved 400 miles on it's own bottom to the brokerage location last fall, so equipment shouldn't be too bad. Survey went well.
I've bought and read the waterway guides to research the route. I'm a little anxious about the ~275 miles of Mississippi and Ohio Rivers without repair facilities and I'm trying to minimize the amount of "adventure" associated with the trip. Lock closures and barge traffic I understand, but if you folks who've experienced this route have any little pearls of wisdom that you could share, I'd be appreciative. thankslaot