Transportation... Employ a Sailor or a Trailer?

[nmilford]

Hello,

I'm nearing the purchase of my first boat. I'm on the fence between two Bristols (such beautiful lines!) a 22' and a 24'.

I am an absolute lubber, but am being guided by my father-in-law who is a rather experienced skipper, if, perhaps, out of practice.

I believe the 22' in this circumstance is a better buy for the money invested but the downside is getting it home. I live in Brooklyn, NY and the boat will (most likely) live in a marina in Flushing Bay, Queens, NY. The boat is in Barnegat Bay, NJ and sailing it from there to Flushing is something I nor my father-in-law are not up to.

The 24' is in East Hampton and is a fine boat, but lacks a motor and a bunch of niceties the 22' has (furler, awlgrip, new winches, quantum sales etc..). But, I (and my Father-in-law) would be able to sail the 24' right down the L.I. sound.

I'd much prefer the 22', but I don't believe I could afford to bring it home. The 22, I believe, is trailerable, but I'd have no where to keep the trailer, living in Brooklyn and I'm afraid that using a service to ship it via land would (my research is incomplete here) be more expensive than I could afford.

Does anyone know of a service, or private individual sailors who might undertake a the 80-100 mile jaunt up the NJ coast and up the East river? What might a fair price for this be were it arrangeable.

I thank you all most kindly for your time.

Nathan Milford
Would-be Sailor, NYC


(I was not entirely clear under which forum this belongs in, so I figured General Discussion ought to fit, I beg your collective pardons is this is not the case.)

[eryka]

Don't make geography the deciding factor. Buy the boat you love and advertise for a delivery skipper. Shouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars especially if you and FIL will go along and serve as crew (you'd learn a lot, too).

[bubb2]

nmilford, welcome!

If you and your father-in-law feel up to bring a boat from the sound to Flushing Bay you have the skills to bring the boat up from Barnegat. You can do it the on the inside. It may take you a few days , but just do it short hops and take you time. Here is a link to the Chart
charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12324.shtml" target="_blank">Chart 12324

[sailingdog]

I'd second Bubb2. YOu should be able to bring it back from Barnegat yourself.. or hire a delivery captain to do it.

[TrueBlue]

80-100 nm should be doable in a Bristol 22 within a 2-day weekend, assuming nothing breaks en-route.

[pigslo]

Another choice would be to borrow or rent a trailor from someone at a nearby yacht club. Common size boat for a trailor.
pigslo

[denby]

nmilford,

Welcome aboard, Sailnet is a great place for info and fun.
Follow your heart on the choice of boat and enjoy sailing it. Good luck and fair winds.

[JimsCAL]

Originally Posted by pigslo

Another choice would be to borrow or rent a trailor from someone at a nearby yacht club. Common size boat for a trailor.
pigslo

I agree. I kept an ODay 22 on Barnegat Bay many years ago. When I moved to Long Island, I traded the Oday in for a Pearson 26 at a Long Island dealer. The Oday had a trailer, so I borrowed a friend's truck and towed the ODay to Long Island. I would not have wanted to sail the boat up, as the open ocean stretch from Manasquan inlet to Sandy Hook can be challenge in such a small boat if the weather turns.

[bubb2]

JimsCal, We are talking about a Bristol 22. It can handle it, The sailors may be a different story. If they wait for calm day and good forecast they can move the boat from Manasquan to Flushing bay in 6 to 8 hours.

Here's a link of a guy who took a Bristol 22 to Australia and back.

Bill's Story

[nmilford]

Thank you all for your replies.

employing a delivery captain looks like the best bet. But, I will continue to see what makes the most sense to my wallet (which sill soon be woefully thin).

Thanks again,
nathan