Annapolis delivery

[n8kraft]

Hi all,

I'm a navy guy who wants to move from Everett, WA to Annapolis, MD. When I do I'll have to sell my current boat, Airborne a 27' Catalina. Anyway, I want to buy a new boat and live aboard. The only problem is I only have 30 days between duty stations to get all my housing arrangements made. With that said if I find a boat and buy it what is the farthest I could reasonably travel in August 2010 to personally deliver my new home and take in some nice ports. I'm not expecting to sail or motor 24/7 because it's also my vacation time!

Should I reasonably consider anything farther than Norfolk or New York? I'm planning to buy a boat between 34 and 40 ft with a well running engine and good sail plan.

Nitty Gritty:
30 days vacation, but I'd like to only spend 15 traveling at most
End port, Annapolis, MD
Sturdy yacht, but relatively new to me

How far away can I reasonably buy from?

[JohnRPollard]

With that much time, you could easily go as far north as New England and as far south as the Carolinas. Here I'm assuming you will have already purchased and prepped the boat ahead of time.

But then again, there's no need to go that far. You should be able to find a boat right here locally in close proximity to Annapolis. There are probably many thousands of boats available to choose from. About the only place you'd find a higher concentration would be down in Florida.

If you could identify a local boat (shouldn't be difficult), then you could take a very relaxed tour around parts of the Chesapeake, rather than making it a delivery on a schedule. You service members earn every bit of leave you get -- make it a nice vacation!

[n8kraft]

JohnRPollard, thanks for your quick reply.
The reason I asked is because I've found this boat:
a 1973 C&C 39
1973 C&C 39 Sail Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
I definately want to take that vacation and nothing would beat a cruise up the Chesapeake. Or down from Baltimore or Philadelphia.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by n8kraft

JohnRPollard, thanks for your quick reply.
The reason I asked is because I've found this boat:
a 1973 C&C 39
1973 C&C 39 Sail Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
I definately want to take that vacation and nothing would beat a cruise up the Chesapeake. Or down from Baltimore or Philadelphia.

I don't know anything about that boat, but a trip up to Annapolis from Portsmouth VA would be a piece of cake. In a month (even two weeks) you could really have a nice leisurely trip up the Bay. Could be a bit hot and sticky, but shouldn't be as bad as July.

I hope you can pull this off. It would be a lot of fun.

Edit: Except the 6'3" draft would mean you'd have to watch the charts more carefully. You west coast sailors are used to deep water. Here you can spend hours ghosting along with depths in the single digits. If you're not used to it, it can be a nit unnerving at first.

[MJBrown]

FWIW Portsmouth VA to Annapolis should only take a 3-4 days and that's taking your time. Good luck!

[eryka]

n8kraft, there's a great liveaboard community in Annapolis that we're looking forward to welcoming you into.

[chucklesR]

Figure 50 miles a day if you are single handing; add in a extra 4 days for oops time and you are set. If you need/want crew on your delivery this is the place to find it.
Norfolk to here is only 24 hours going round the clock; or a three day cruise if you aren't pushing it.
You can make Boston in four days, Rhode Island in three - or take it easy and take longer.
With 15 days if the boat can go outside / blue water / you can deliver it from Florida Keys to Maine with a two man crew.
Gemini's are delivered out of Annapolis down to Ft L in 6/7 days all the time, coming up is even easier.
You can easily expand your boat search range to anywhere on the east coast. As JohnRPollard said though, there are literally hundreds of boats for sale a simple day sail out of Annapolis.

Whether you are living on the hook or looking for a live aboard permitted slip in the area start scoping it out now. Eryka can give you the skinny on both s she's spent years doing just that.

[sailordave]

Originally Posted by n8kraft

Hi all,

I'm a navy guy who wants to move from Everett, WA to Annapolis, MD. When I do I'll have to sell my current boat, Airborne a 27' Catalina.
Nitty Gritty:

I had to re-read that to make certain I had it straight where you were.
I used to know a gal who had a C27 named AIRBORNE here in Annapolis! I lost touch w/ her and I think it's now owned by someone else.


AFA cruising distances for you, I'll second the thought that you could probably find a decent boat that will meet you needs here on the Bay. And anywhere between NYC and NC is doable distance/time wise plus you can stay basically inshore.

You'll love the Bay (again, except in Jul/Aug) and Sept/Oct are some of the best cruising months. Sorta like doing the San Juans in Sept is too.

Welcome to the Sailing Capital!