New Sailors Delivering Their Own Boat

[John Kretschmer]

We have just purchased a 29-foot Hunter and need to sail it from Toledo Beach, near Monroe, MI, to Bay City, MI. We are new sailors with approximately 40 to 50 hours total sailing time. Should we look for an experienced sailor or captain to deliver the boat with us?

D & S

John Kretschmer responds:

D & S

I understand your anxiety; however, inexperienced sailors can certainly manage the trip you're discussing. The key to a successful voyage is to take your time and be thoroughly prepared. If you have a tight time window, or if you won't have much time to familiarize yourselves with the boat, you should consider hiring a skipper. Your primary concerns will be ship traffic, current in both rivers, weather, and learning the idiosyncrasies of a new boat.

John