Hello to all, We are going down the Mississippi, et al to Mobile next Fall. We are going to take a Morgan OI33 sailboat. Questions .... 1) When we pull the rig down in Chicago, are there shippers at hand to move the mast S for us? Any idea of the cost? The mast is 54' and cannot be handily carried on deck through the locks. 2) Once we have left Chicago, how far before we could mast back up? We have some conflicting information on both these issues. The Plan, leave Bay City, Mi sometime before 4 July, 2002 to cruise the Lakes and a last trip to the N Channel before arriving at Chicago between late August and late Sept. We want to arrive in Mobile Bay no earlier than late November. I have sailed the W Coast of Florida a lot and do not want to be N of Tarpon Springs after Dec. 15. We have a site recording the acquisition of Ilira in Stuart, Fl. and the subsequent rebuilding of her. Site is at , http://users.tm.net/lb2001 Thanks to all for any direction to information, or first hand knowledge. LB

Hi LB When I was in the sailboat mode we went south with a Nonsuch 36, mast about 63' long on deck. Travelled the Erie Canal locks with zero problem. Just built a good cradle on deck for it (weight of mast about 500 lbs) and took it down and up at each end. Over hang at the bow about 17' and at the stern about 10'. Wrapped the very forward end and aft end of the mast with a heavy wrap of carpet in case touched lock wall and made flat approaches to each landing. We did not have any problems carrying this mast on deck through the locks. Best of luck Al Binnington GB 36 FALKOR Guelph, Ontario > We are going down the Mississippi, et al to Mobile next Fall. We are > going to take a Morgan OI33 sailboat. > > Questions .... 1) When we pull the rig down in Chicago, are there > shippers at hand to move the mast S for us? Any idea of the cost? The > mast is 54' and cannot be handily carried on deck through the locks. 2) > Once we have left Chicago, how far before we could mast back up? >