Bugging out via major rivers
 

I live within close proximity to the Ohio River and have a canoe that would come in handy for bugging out by river WTSHTF. But I was wondering what would be involved as far as going through locks on the river, and any other advice any of you might have on bugging out via rivers.

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

bugging out via canoe ?

a bad idea IMO

how many locks are there ?
how much supplies would you have with you ?
what if someone stands on the shore with a scoped rifle ?
or
a motorized bigger boat comes up on you ?

MAYBE, if you were bugging out in a canoe, at night

are you familiar with the river/lock system ?
at what distance would you feel safe ?
have you thought about making caches along your bug-out route ?

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

I fish all the time on the Tennessee river Nickeless and "locking through" is no big deal in a standard fishing boat. You simply wait in a lock, they see you and then start the process to get you up or down river. At some locks you may have to wait until there are several boats waiting besides you before they go to the trouble, but you'll get through.
As for a loaded canoe, I wouldn't do it because a canoe just too small to be safe on a federally navigable waterway. Why don't you consider the bare minimum of a 1440 jon boat instead? You'd have way more capacity and a more stable bug out boat. You can always tow the canoe behind you and lightly load it also.

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

I have traveled through Canada and Newfoundland by canoe and personal experience has proven that one can carry enough gear\food for for a couple of weeks.

That being said, I would never consider using a canoe to travel where there is motorized traffic.

You and your gear end up in the water. Hell, steal a pontoon boat, you would be much better off.

ST

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

Wasn't one of the president's executive orders regarding waterways?

You're hooped there too. I doubt they'll run the locks for you in a SHTF/martial law situation.

Jmo.

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

It depends on what you mean by "bugging out", exactly.

I have mentioned before that if you live near a major waterway or the ocean, it isn't a bad idea to have at least a couple of decent inflatable boats on hand. In the event of a natural disaster, being able to safely cross bodies of water can be very useful.

In Katrina/New Orleans, all the regular boats that could easily be found got stolen. Small inflatable boats are not as fast or rugged as solid hulls, but small inflatables can be kept hidden until you need them.

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In a case of martial law, I would think that if the police have gone to the trouble of blocking off the highways and bridges, then they're not going to let you float down the river to anywhere they don't think you're supposed to go either.... And in that case, the most important aspect of any boat is that it is light enough so you can easily carry it through the woods, around any place on the river that has lots of police watching.

-end-

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

Living by a river will be essential......after the great die-off.

Re: Bugging out via major rivers
 

If you load up a canoe with all your gear, how will you move it when you get to your destination?