New boat purchase in NC to home in NYC/NJ ?

[genkinyc]

Hi, I'm hoping to purchase a 30ft with a 5.3 draft that is docked in North Carolina.

I'm looking for advice on how to get her back up to the NYC/NJ area.

I have some beginner experience on rental sailboats. We both have ASA basic keelboat, basic coastal cruising and some navigation skills.

A leisurely motor up the ICW looks to be the safest option. It would be a first time for such a journey and I'd prefer to sail as much as possible.

Looks like we would have to go offshore for the Jersey part of the trip.

I looked into the offshore option from NC but I don't think that I would have enough experience. Perhaps with a delivery captain for a few days but I'm not sure how that would work out - maybe as far as Cape May or something like that. Sounds expensive.

Crew is myself and the missus, she has equal experience.

Looking for advice - what would you do? Or perhaps this is crazy?

Thanks

[PBzeer]

Your biggest concern, at this point in time, is weather. Also, your inexperience with living on a boat. My suggestion would be, if you have the time, is to spend a few days on the boat, before committing to the trip. Then decide if you're up to doing it, or it would be better to have it delivered.

[rikhall]

Lots of options:

1 - if you have the time - sail / motor it up to the Chesapeake and determine if you can handle it. We sailed our "new to us" Irwin from Annapolis to the east coast of Canada.

a - if you are not comfortable - have her pulled and truck her
b - if you are comfortable - C&D canal / Cape May / Sandy Hook / and home.

2 - have someone come on for part of the trip
3 - truck her the whole way
4 - have someone sail / motor it for you
5 - have someone sail / motor it for you and you go on for part of the trip

Lots of ideas - you have to decide what you can do.

There are no points lost for having it trucked, if that is where you comfort zone is.

Rik

[Tempest]

Hi Genkinnyc,

Welcome. Based on what you've told us regarding your experience I would suggest considering hiring an experienced captain to assist you in this trip, or an finding an experienced skipper/crew willing to help you out. I also think that your best bet at this point is to stay inside as much as possible. For the NJ coast, you can jump from Cape May to AC and from AC to Sandy Hook with a couple of days of good weather.
Days are getting shorter, and weather is getting colder though..it's almost November!

Having an experienced skipper imho could make the difference between a well managed pleasurable trip for you.... and a stress filled, potentially de-moralizing disaster.


There's another possibility that you can consider and that's hauling the boat in NC for the winter and returning in the spring to do the trip. ( I'd still look for an experienced hand)

Another reason, to stay inside ( ICW) is that this is really a shakedown cruise you both you and the vessel. Having things break, inside, is less consequential than on the ocean; though, not without it's own challenges. A good survey will reveal any items that need immediate attention and may require that you address them before leaving port.
A fixed schedule, is the enemy of the prudent sailor. Take your time, make sure she's ready for trial. You might even want to do some small shake down cruises in NC before your march north. ( spring? )

I would also invest in an unlimited towing policy from Boat US it's probably the best insurance policy on the market...

Good luck with your new Vessel, congratulations!

[tommays]

3 - truck her the whole way cause its a really long ride at 5MPH with now really short daylight and its this is no fun wet and cold steady 20 knots+windy season up here now

[Minnewaska]

Is this boat so special that you can't find another that is closer?

The idea to have her trucked this time of year is good, but I have a feeling that it will cost as much as the boat itself. What are paying for her?

[chef2sail]

Rik and Tempest have excellent points. This time of year is not really the best time to head north as fronts come through every three days or so and the Nnortherly winds behind them tend to be stronger and heavier this time of year. By itself no big deal, but with a new to you and untested biat. not a great idea.

Shakedown up the Chessapeake is a good idea then down the Delaware...to At;antic City and then Sandy Hook very doable. We do this every year from the Chessie on our way to Nre England or the LI Sound.

Minne also brings up a good point, what kind of boat....and there are lots of good ones up north too.

If you wait till the spring I would be willing to take the trip from the Chessapeake up north with you and I am sure I have a few sailing friends on here who would join in.

Dave

Dave

[PBzeer]

If you do wait until spring, I'd buddy boat you from NC to the Chessie. If you do decide to wait, unless you want it hauled, rates here at the Hilton Marina in New Bern are about as low as you get in NC. With good access by air or vehicle.

[JimsCAL]

With your limited experience, a boat that size, and the difficulty of sailing the NJ coast in the late fall weather, its a no brainer. Have it trucked up. Read this tread if you need more convincing.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...gat-inlet.html

[jimgo]

I'm newer to sailing than you. I looked at buying an Irwin in Long Island and sailing it to south Jersey - that part alone is at least a 3-4 day adventure, and that's only if the weather cooperates. Noving the boat from NC to NJ/NY is going to be a LONG trip. The cost of having 25' Irwin trailered from LI to Ocean City, NJ was easily $800-1000. You can probably count on your cost of having it trailered being double to tripple that amount. I'm not sure what your budget is, but when you tack on the cost of moving the boat, you are probably going to be able to find another boat like it in the NY area. Have you looked through the Craigslist listings for New York, Long Island, Central NJ, Northern NJ, and the Jersey Shore? All of those cover or are close to your desired destination and, depending on your budget, you can find some really sweet deals.

FWIW, I wound up limiting my search to a 4-5 day sail from home. I was doing the move earlier in the season, and I assumed 8 hours "at sea" a day @ about 5 knots on average, or somewhere in the 40 mile range per day, giving me about 160 miles North and South of my desired destination.

Do you know where you want to keep the boat? What's so special about it? Sorry, not trying to be nosy, just curious!