Boat moving in spring, hire captain to train me or for the whole trip?

[Bob Quinn]

Our new to us 53 is in winter storage on Lake Michigan up in Onekama Michigan about an hour south of Traverse city (by car). We will have to wait until all the ice flows are done in the spring to bring her up and around and back down to the Lake St. Clair or Port Huron area (Lower Lake Huron)

The original thought was to hire a captain for the trip. It's about a 4 or 5 day trip the best I can figure.

Another thought is that the boat will probably be in the water, possibly well before all the ice is done moving, but that I am not sure of. Anyways, if there is a couple weeks or a month of the boat being in the water before we can make the move, perhaps I should hire a captain from the area to help me learn how to handle the boat and then make the run ourselves.

Would anyone like to weigh in on this? I am a lifelong boater, can do pretty good with a single screw boat, just nothing over 26' until now.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jims43DC]

We went from a 22 foot blow boat to a 43DCFB, I was really apprehensive about running the boat, we have a stern in slip with no option. about 50 foot wide fairway. I hired a Captain for about an hour that watched as I took her out into the lake and back to the slip 3 or 4 times. I then played with the boat all summer 2020 on nice days and midweek low crowds, this past summer I was pretty confident and took a canal trip or two. Everyone learns differently you alone know how your doing. Twin screw is fairly easy. I have run equipment my whole life, and it has always been solo on the job training. I soloed while getting my airplane pilots license after 4 hours of duel, yet I was more scared running the boat, difference being I was 16 starting flying and 65 starting with a bigger boat.
So my .02 cents is if you feel good after local operations with your 53 footer no reason you couldn't handle it.

 

[madhatter1]

Recommend hiring a captain to run it with you. The education you will get in one trip is worth it. Plus when/if something goes wrong the experienced captain will have knowledge on what it is, how to fix, or how to limp if unfixable.

I ran from Marathon to Fort Myers and then back home with gen not running. Stinking hot and no AC. Wife was not happy. Back home when mechanic went down to look after 5 seconds says try it now. Fired right up. Was a breaker button tripped that had no indicator on it. He pushed it in to check it and that reset it.

 

[Freeebird]

How much is your insurance deductible and how much will your insurance increase as a new owner if you crash the boat?

At a minimum you should hire someone to get you to your home port while giving you some on the job training. Often times I am requested to spend another day or two with a new owner to get them used to getting in and out of their slip and various other areas they intend to dock.

 

[Sadey]

Plus he’ll eat leftovers.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Recommend hiring a captain to run it with you. The education you will get in one trip is worth it. Plus when/if something goes wrong the experienced captain will have knowledge on what it is, how to fix, or how to limp if unfixable.

I ran from Marathon to Fort Myers and then back home with gen not running. Stinking hot and no AC. Wife was not happy. Back home when mechanic went down to look after 5 seconds says try it now. Fired right up. Was a breaker button tripped that had no indicator on it. He pushed it in to check it and that reset it.

Good point, it had crossed my mind that if I had an issue I would be left "in a void of knowledge" without someone along that knows these boats.

 

[Bob Quinn]

How much is your insurance deductible and how much will your insurance increase as a new owner if you crash the boat?

At a minimum you should hire someone to get you to your home port while giving you some on the job training. Often times I am requested to spend another day or two with a new owner to get them used to getting in and out of their slip and various other areas they intend to dock.

Good point Randy, PM me if you can with what it would cost to have you come up. There are several Captains names I have been given in the area that I'm sure could help, but I'm sure none of them have the experience with the Hatteras's that you do. If I had issues along the way with systems I would be sitting there wondering how to fix things while drifting toward the rocks LOL. Probably not much fun at that point!
Any thoughts on what time of year the ice clears up here?
Thanks,
Bob

 

[Pascal]

26 to 53, single has to twin screw is a big jump. Get a few hours of basic instruction before the trip and use a captain for the delivery. It’s not just the driving, but the systems, troubleshooting, maintenance etc.

You ll get over the “oh s... this is big” pretty quickly. When I bought my 53 back almost 20 years ago I was moving up from a 37 express. After the first docking I realized the 53 was easier to handle.

The key is realize that you muscle a 53 into a dock like you would a smaller boat... you have to bring it into a position where it can be tied or where you can pass a spring line and use it.

Finally you have the fact that the boat has been sitting all winter and regardless of surveys etc. you need to be able to handle an issue even “just” an engine sucking air or a control cable coming loose or a bilge alarm distracting you.

Not worth taking a chance.

 

[carolinacoast]

Compare the cost of the captain to your deductible. then add value of 'peace of mind'. If you are still comfortable with your decision, then enjoy the trip and the learning curve.

 

[Chasemmc]

Capt Randy moved my 56' from Staurt to Chatanooga. I had zero experience in boating. At the end of the trip, with Randy teaching I could safely handle the boat. Still had and have a lot learn, but it's based on a great foundation. Glad I was not 'penny wise & pound foolish'

 

[Bob Bradley]

Call Randy. He helped me move my 45 from New Bern to New Haven. Very capable and knowledgeable. We did a 4 day run. I'm 65 and have been boating for over 50 years. I could have managed on my own, but wanted some experienced talent on board, having never done the ditch before. I was very pleased.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Call Randy. He helped me move my 45 from New Bern to New Haven. Very capable and knowledgeable. We did a 4 day run. I'm 65 and have been boating for over 50 years. I could have managed on my own, but wanted some experienced talent on board, having never done the ditch before. I was very pleased.

Thank you Bob, I am planning on doing just that. You mentioned New Haven, but what state?
We have a New Haven up here in Michigan on Lake St. Clair!

 

[spartonboat1]

I think I know "of" that boat somewhat. You do not mention how large a "crew" will be on board for your maiden voyage; maiden to you that is.

Having now had a Hatt for over 20 years, here are my thoughts for that run.

Crew should include a "cook", to make coffee and feed the other crew members, while underway. Yes, at least one other Pilot, esp. at least one who understands this size boat and its operations, so you can spell each other for biological breaks, general rest, etc. At least one hand should help stand a "watch".

Depending on how late in the Spring you run, you need people with binoculars, to keep a lookout. I have three sets of glasses and they should be good ones. As you run, off of some ports, there are fishing boats to avoid. Also, running the Straits of Mackinaw will require watching for ferry boats, plus here is a ferry that runs between Bois Blanc Isle and Cheboygan. Finally, there are the Lakers and Salties, who will actually be as fast or faster than you, although they look slow, they are not.

You can schedule runs from 8-10 hours (less is up to you), but bear in mind, these run-times will be dependent on your desired Ports; distances will obviously vary, so your run-times will vary with the Port to Port distances. Convenient ports are Mack City, Cheboygan and Rogers City. Others are Tawas City and below, while on Lk Huron. But also, know your river ports for St Clair and Detroit Rivers. Yes, there are other ports, but which are out of the way, such as Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, or Bay City, but they are "sideways" runs several miles off your primary courses..

Fuel Stops should be verified per your ports. E.g., Mack City, only the Shepler Ferry dock sells diesel. Call ahead and verify Diesel is avail.

My apologies, since I am not intimately familiar with that boat, but I do not believe it has a true "radar". If not, then the extra eyes and ears are critical, to watch and listen for other craft! Also, it is critical you do not get caught a fog- and some can be the proverbial "pea-soup", in which you cannot see pass the bow of the boat. Without a radar, you will need a good set of GPS way-points plotted, in advance! Get at least one portable/hand-held GPS. Insert your "routes" into the GPS set, before your start your run. Install all the routes, including the safety routes, for the runs to unexpected ports. These way-points should not be "to" the actual "ports" or "Lighthouses", but should be the routes around them and just off them E.g., a 1/4 mile off a port, then the entrances to the ports. Note: A friend of mine ran a type of rescue boat operation. He said some operators installed the waypoints to reefs or lighthouse and actually ran into them; true!

I realize that the engines will have oil and filter changes. Note: Use only Straight-Wt 40 wgt oil. Easiest choices include Texaco Ursa or Detroit Diesel "1040". New impellers should be installed in the mains and gensets raw water pumps and the fuel filters should be new. I think there is a good DD tech working on that boat, so he should be able to confirm my remarks. Smart remark, I have never encountered a Female Diesel Tech- I anyone here has done so, please post!


Finally there are the seas! The Spring is a good time to run, as weather is usually calm. Fog can be an issue though.

Plan, plan, plan...

 

[Bob Bradley]

Thank you Bob, I am planning on doing just that. You mentioned New Haven, but what state?
We have a New Haven up here in Michigan on Lake St. Clair!

Think "World's Best Pizza". That New Haven.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Don't buy fuel at Mac City. Scheplers is like the eviro-police. They watch for even a drip of fuel out of your vent. Cheboygan County dock has better diesel prices anyway and they aren't as uptight.

I would fill up at Onekema as they are usually competitive, then top off at Cheboygan, then maybe Port Sanilac. Look at the prices posted on waterwayguide.com or call ahead.

 

[spartonboat1]

Don't buy fuel at Mac City. Scheplers is like the eviro-police. They watch for even a drip of fuel out of your vent. Cheboygan County dock has better diesel prices anyway and they aren't as uptight.

I would fill up at Onekema as they are usually competitive, then top off at Cheboygan, then maybe Port Sanilac. Look at the prices posted on waterwayguide.com or call ahead.

Sky: Does not the Mack City Municipal Marina also sell Diesel. I am not sure why I defaulted to Shelpler's. My main point was to be that Mack Isle sells No Diesel.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Sky: Does not the Mack City Municipal Marina also sell Diesel. I am not sure why I defaulted to Shelpler's. My main point was to be that Mack Isle sells No Diesel.

Thank you everyone! and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[34Hatt]

Think "World's Best Pizza". That New Haven.

Well since NY has the best pizza I guess you must mean.
New Haven, NY 13126

Didn't know you moved.

 

[drburke]

Well since NY has the best pizza I guess you must mean.
New Haven, NY 13126

Didn't know you moved.

Goodness gracious. There is a New Haven, IL and everyone knows that Chicago Style Pizza is tops!

DAN

 

[Bob Bradley]

Goodness gracious. There is a New Haven, IL and everyone knows that Chicago Style Pizza is tops!

DAN

Well, I am both surprised and saddened to learn that the good taste of this esteemed group apparently does not extend past boats. Kindly allow me to enlighten you.





I shudder to consider what might be consumed beyond "Toxic".