Is it possible to get a boat from a lake to the ocean?

Is it possible to go by boat from Lake Michigan to the ocean?

It is typical practice to begin in Chicago and travel via canals and rivers to the Mississippi River and then the Tenn-Tom Waterway before arriving at Lake Michigan and the Atlantic Ocean. This is just a piece of the route known as America’s Great Loop, which permits recreational boats to circumnavigate the eastern region of North America in a 6,000-mile round trip.

 

 

 

 

The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is a vast constructed waterway that runs 234 miles from the Tennessee River all the way to the Tombigbee River in Alabama, thus the name!

It was built in 1984 at a cost of little more than two billion dollars to make regular access to key shipping routes simpler and to encourage local businesses by avoiding a difficult portion of the Mississippi River, which was at the time difficult to navigate.

 

 

 

 

Following the Tenn-Tom River down to the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas will provide you with access to a variety of points of interest, beginning with the Gulf of Mexico and extending to places such as the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas; these are stunning destinations that may well justify ending your trip early or making it take significantly longer than originally planned.

In reality, the Tenn-Tom Waterway is just one leg of the whole Great Loop route, which encompasses a large portion of the entire Mississippi River basin.

 

 

 

 

This will provide you with a unique opportunity to explore urban Chicago from a different perspective, as well as many other natural wonders, before releasing you into the Gulf of Mexico.

Is it possible to boat from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean?
The Okeechobee Waterway is the finest – and only – way to go from Lake Okeechobee to the seas.

It has been officially in operation since 1937 and is managed by both the South Florida Watershed Management District and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. It is located in the city of Miami.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the fact that it is shorter than other canal systems, this route requires a significant commitment of time and money to complete properly. It runs from the atlantic ocean to the pacific coast of Florida and is little over 150 miles long.

This road, on the other hand, provides some breathtaking, spectacular sights, including enormous swaths of unspoilt, pure Florida Everglades, among other things.

The Okeechobee Passage is the only navigable cross canal in Florida, and it connects the states of Florida and South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

Despite this, it remains one of the most tranquil and lovely ways a boater can travel, whether the final destination is Fort Meyers and the Gulf of Mexico or the route passes through Stuart on the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

Is it possible to go by boat from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean?

In addition to being a member of the Great Lakes Seaway system, the Saint Lawrence Seaway provides the most direct route from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Major Lakes Seaway System is one of the world’s biggest seaways, stretching over 2,340 miles from Lake Erie to Montreal, with links to all of the world’s great lakes.

Trips of this size may occasionally take more than a month to accomplish, due to the enormous amount of commercial traffic (which always prioritizes private boats) and other factors.

Thanks to its location as the easternmost great lake, Lake Ontario serves as the final lake in the hydrologic chain. It is also the largest of the great lakes.

 

 

 

In other words, maritime excursions originating from Lake Ontario are already getting closer to the eventual destination. Keeping your course down the Saint Lawrence River, you’ll arrive to the Atlantic Ocean quite shortly.

A southerly detour around Lake Champlain, on the other hand, will enable you to follow the Hudson River in a shorter amount of time and with less traffic congestion. And then there’s also the Erie Canal, which runs 363 miles from Lake Erie to Albany, New York, along the Hudson River.

 

 

 

 

 

Because they go through the heart of New York City and terminate right next to the Statue of Liberty, none of these “routes less frequented” is devoid of breathtaking sights.

 

 

 

 

What method is used to get larger boats from lakes to oceans?

Despite the fact that many boats are capable of making the journey on their own, certain huge vessels are unable to safely cross from lakes to oceans.

Frequently, this is due to the fact that attempting it would be dangerous. Fortunately, there are a plethora of organizations that specialize in automobile transportation services.

Among the alternatives are:

 

 

 

 

In towing services, another vessel that has been specifically developed for this purpose assists the ungainly boat in securely traversing the waterways.
Loading services are available in cases when a boat is capable of making the journey and loading the huge vessel on board as cargo, which is normally partly or completely dismantled.
Delivery services, in which a boat that is too big to safely sail via locks and canals is transported to a port by roads or airways rather than through locks and canals.

 

 

 

 

Regardless of the strategy used, all boaters must be informed of their choices, debate alternatives, and plan ahead of time in order to avoid disaster.

It is recommended to consult with a local specialist to ensure that one is aware of the regulations and limits that apply to these services, as well as any unexpected expenses that may occur and the required documents.

 

 

 

 

It is critical to have a qualified maritime surveyor inspect the boat’s condition and measurements before purchasing it.

While production specifications serve as a useful foundation, even minor changes may result in significant costs, and undetected strains or faults in the vessel may make vehicle transport prohibitively expensive – or perhaps impossible – to carry.

 

 

 

 

Of course, the same safety precautions apply to bigger vessels as they do to smaller ones.

To avoid delivery catastrophes, it is always a good idea to secure all hatches and loose gear, empty water and fuel tanks, disconnect batteries and plugs, and guarantee enough clearance.

What is the maximum size of a boat that may be transported on roads?
These vary based on the state and location, and they are influenced by three independent variables.

 

 

 

 

 

The maximum length permitted is often between 50 and 60 feet in length. The beam (or the broadest parts of the boat measured in width) is usually a problem, although extreme widths that need several lanes of traffic to pass through may necessitate the use of oversize load permits in some circumstances.

 

 

 

To guarantee optimum clearance, the height should be maintained as low as possible, preferably below 13 feet 6 inches. Examples include the fact that, depending on the route chosen, one may need a larger clearance or that one may not need to be concerned with clearance.

 

 

 

 

Every one of these measurements is susceptible to variation and other limits. For example, I am aware of a 65-foot wooden schooner that was transported by truck from California to the east coast, but it was unable to get permissions for the roadways in New England, so it was forced to be launched in the Chesapeake Bay and sailed to Maine from the bay.

 

 

 

The majority of boats have beams that are too tiny to need a special permission, however vessels wider than 12 feet must be escorted by a qualified escort.

Please keep in mind that the measurements are taken from “firm point to firm point,” which implies that extensions and outboard accessories may cause the final estimate to be higher than expected.

 

 

 

Non-essential items such as engines, bowsprits, antennae, and other non-essentials should be collapsible or removed before to the voyage.

Every inch that may be cut will help to reduce the cost, needs, and inconvenience associated with the delivery.

What is the approximate cost of transporting a boat from a lake to the ocean?
Boat transportation costs around $1.50 per mile at the very least.

Even for tiny boats, the cost of a one-way cruise from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean may easily exceed $3,500 per person, per day.

This cost is influenced by a number of important variables, including:

Distance Traveled: It goes without saying that the longer the planned journey will be, the more money it will cost.

 

 

 

 

Type of Delivery: The mode of delivery — whether it is by sea, land, or even air – will have an impact on the cost of the package.

Boat Dimensions and Condition: Oversized boats, boats with unique dimensions, and boats in bad shape may incur a higher delivery fee.

Premiums: Whether one has their own watercraft insurance or relies on the policy of the delivery firm, there will be extra expenses, as well as any specific permits or legal requirements for transporting the goods.

Selection of a Moving Company: Different firms specialize in different forms of transportation, and they may charge an additional fee for requests that are outside of the regular scope of service.

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Variability: Costs change throughout the year based on projected travel volume, forecasted weather conditions, and recognized holidays, among other factors.

Requesting estimates from different boat moving companies prior to making a final decision is the best way to ensure that one obtains the best possible pricing.

Ascertain that they are aware of the expected route and problems (particularly if clearance, escorts, or oversize dimensions are an issue) by providing the following information:

Look for sales or discounts that may be available.

 

 

 

Check out the company’s reputation to be sure it’s legitimate.

Check with their competition to see whether they provide any price matching, guarantees, or other services.
The majority of the time, it is considerably more cost-effective to transport the boat under its own power, if at all feasible. However, be certain that you have all of the necessary papers, licenses, and other paperwork in order before proceeding.

Prepare for possible weeks spent on the sea by budgeting for gasoline, food, and docking/accommodation costs, among other things.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, ensure that the chosen route will not present any unexpected complications due to weather or changing conditions, make any necessary arrangements for additional services as needed, and (if delivering a boat overland) ensure that you comply with all applicable local laws regarding vehicular conveyance.

Remember to take additional precautions to keep the boat safe while traveling by means other than the norm.

Protecting surfaces and hardware on the boat using bubble wrap, cardboard, insulating foams, and even shrink wrap plastic may help minimize expensive “road rash” on the boat’s surfaces and hardware.

 

 

 

Concluding Remarks
If you have the time and means, transporting your boat from an interior site to the coast by canal may be a terrific trip.