Where is everyone?
 

We were able to get our first day of boating with our 28' Active Thunder in this season on the Mississippi River- much to our dismay, we were the only ones taking in a gorgeous 75 degree day on the water.
Other than a few fisherman attending a tournament, the marina at Savanna, IL was very quiet.

We headed north for a fun run- the water was quite high (as you could see in the marina pic). Not a soul to be seen........

We ran to Bellevue, IA- this is Lock and Dam #12- you can see the gates are wide open due to the current high water level. We turned south from here, heading back to Savanna and south towards Clinton, IA.
Nearly 45 or 50 miles of running on the Mississippi River without seeing hardly a soul.
WE thought it was a looooong winter; didn't anyone else?:D

Nice shots Jim, do you normally see quite a few Hi-Performance boats in that area on the river?....That river sure looks real wide in the pic's, how deep does it average?.....Fred

Judging by picture #2, I'm guessing you added that autopilot feature you are used to having on the planes you fly in??? LOL!!!!

Hey Jim,

Glad to see you got the new toy out!!!!! We didn't go out today as I just got back from vacation in Florida and had a honey-do list! The boat did get out of storage this afternoon and cleaned up but that's about it. I can't believe there wasn't any traffic from Savanna marina. A very nice boat that's for sure. How did you like it on the river so far?

Fred....

The river varies in depth but is usually 20+ feet in that area....there is one spot that is actually over 50 feet deep...is kind of weird to see because it makes the water ripple because it's so deep there....not sure how or why but it's pretty cool. The channel is very well marked and as long as you stay between the red and the green buoys you will not have a problem. Most of the barges that come up/down the river draft almost 12 feet when loaded so our boats should not be a problem!!:D :D

Dude you didn't hear, that whole place is infected with Anthrax!!!

Jim glad to see you guys got out to enjoy your boat a little. I always love those early season days of few boats.

Good luck on a teriffic boating season.

Mark

No One Driving either!!!:D

We're all home working on our boats!

Jafo, What power does your AT have? How does it run?

Went down to the marina today to work on the boat and hang out by the water. Hoping next week will be the maiden voyage of this season!!!:p

We didn't see any channel depths less than 23' north of Savanna today- max was 59' (location described by Dave).

fred- not too many Hi-perf boaters in the Savanna area- many more near Dubuque, Ia which is about 55 miles north. There are several wide areas on the way up- all of it has more than enough width for comfortable cruising even with summer barge and houseboat traffic. We go there often for lunch.

troutly- we still try to head part of the way towards your area once a year- McGregor, Ia is still a favorite for several trips each year. Hope we can run with you at least once this year?

Payton- thanks! we will see you on the big lake this year for sure!

dave1972- sorry I didn't get your PM about the FL trip until I was already back- kind of a marathon driving escapade. Maybe we will see you soon- Breezy and Crotch are pretty well underwater right now, but the water will drop fairly fast if there isn't a lot more rain. Real interesting launching and retrieving with the docks that far out! The current was brutal.

R Addiction- twin 350MagMpi Bravos - boat runs great and has excellent balance- one of three twin 28' AT's produced to date.
Jim

Thanks for the depth reports and traffic updates....looks like some neat area to go boating in....how far is it between locks?

Jafo .... Crazy took me out Sunday afternoon same deal here! Holland to sausagetuck not many boats a couple big cruisers with the canvas up but not any go fast stuff. Later that night I saw a Sunsation and a Formula at the launch but its damn cold out there yet! Water is about 40 yet.
Don

How are you doing since your surgery Dyno?....Did you get a truck yet?....Fred

Philadelphia Pa here not a single boat last week. But all the marinas around here jerked the boaters and switched season dates from april to may. so now they don't drop in until may 1st. and this year marks the first for them to be locking up all boat ramps at 10 pm to keep kids out from partying. so now if you don't have your boat out by 10 pm you are stuck out in the water until 6 am next day LOCK DOWN! This is only at city ramps in Philly Of course a NON boater came up with that idea :mad:

Jafo, we're right here in west Michigan enjoying yet another day in paradise, and livin' the dream, man, livin' the dream,,,,,,

Same way here on the Missouri River. Just me and friend. Seen
a bunch of John boat with people looking for mushrooms.

stevebaretta-
Always nice to get an entire island of sand to yourself, isn't it?:D
Looks like your water levels are lower than the Miss.
The current was strong enough that placing one drive in neutral (engines at idle) and leaving the other in forward would barely hold your position. Harbormaster said 7-8 mph current at Savanna.
I would guess it is morel mushroom hunting season in your area? Mmmm good!

We have a place on Essman Island, just north of Guttenburg. Guttenburg is between Dubuque and McGregor. I think the upper Mississippi is a dandy place to boat ...lots of towns [i.e. bars and resturaunts] as destination points. Makes for a nice change from lake boating.

Hey CAP071, down in NE maryland the ramps are 24 hr.;) Gotta come down!!!!:D

went for a shakedown first of the year run on 4/27. tons of fisherman out but not many perf. boats. all in all great day

Jafo We had a few performance boats out in the Quad City area over the weekend. You should come down that way in the summer, river is pretty nice in this area. I was up in Dubuque in the beginning of November and rode in the Sorcerer.