Leaving the Northeast

[JimmyB]

I am considering boats in the Northeast and am curious as to how late one can be brought south. Is it too late now? I am looking at vessels with inside steering and also Flybridge only with Eisenglass enclosures.

There may be an opportunity for reduced prices if owners would not like to pay for storage over the winter.

So would I freeze to death on a Flybridge or is this reasonable???

Where would the "winterizing line" be?

Also what is a estimate of how long to get to Stuart Florida from the Maryland area? I estimate distance as 1200 miles. Is this close?

I would eventually need to get to Louisiana so this would be a halfway point.

Jimmy

 

[Brian Degulis]

I'd use December as a cut off point but even now it's going to be problematic. The temps may be tolerable but it's just weather fronts one after another so low winter tides and rough sea conditions are the concern. I would try to find something in FL if you can. BTW I know of a realy nice 60C that's about to come on the market cheap!!!! Enclosed bridge full tower outriggers fresh 1271TIs just a great boat!!!. I was thinking about taking a run at it myself the only problem is I already own it.


Brian

 

[Dan Mapes]

Last year we took Freedom South from Kingston NY to the Bahamas. Once inside the full bridge enclosure on a sunny day we were toasty while the sailboaters on the ICW were in parkas.
We started Oct 5th and enjoyed it all the way. There were a few mornings when there was thick frost on the fordeck but all in all we were very comfortable.
I had to squeegy the enclosure every morning due to condensation.

Our blog is at danmapes.blogspot.com

Scroll back though the archives if you like.

 

[Passages]

Depends how far north in the northeast you are starting the trip.

I'm in CT and have gone boating first week in December without an issue. Other years, we've been hit with 6" of snow a week before Thanksgiving.

If you want to be conservative - be south of Long Island by Mid November. If the extended forecast shows a favorable weather window, you can push it back to about December 7th.

 

[Bill Allen]

When I left for the keys from little egg it was Nov. 15. If I go this year I'll leave around the same time. Not a real big deal just need to deal with the cold and of course the wind, lose a few days here or there but other then that it's fine. On the bridge in the morning bring the carharts and go. Bill

 

[Spellbound]

Depends on what kind of boat and crusing speed. Example follows --- Left with my boat (repower) Approx Jan 27-29 2008 Freeport Long Isalnd NY. Outside temp 28, 3/4 enclosure -ran down to Ocean City MD. a weather day in OC. Ran OC to Norfolk inside to Coinjock. Coinjock to Morehead City inside. Morehead City to Charleston outside. Charleston to St Augustine outside. St Augustine to West Palm Beach outside. Had good weather window (weather routers) and warmer every day heading south. Not bad with the enclosure -- just had to layer ourselves the first few days. We cruised at 21-23kts.

 

[Pascal]

plenty of time left. i'm flying back up to Nantucket on Tuesday to pick up the 70 footer I run, same time as last year. it's a little chilly but no big deal although the boat has climate controled skylounge which helps.

but even with just an enclosure, it should be fine.

you could do Maryland to Stuart in as little as 10 days if you push it, 15 to 18 would be more comfortable.

your deadline will be when will boats need to be winterized since you want to use that as a bargaining chip.

 

[Walter P]

We just completed a run from Crisfield, MD to St Lucie, Fl on Bobk's 1981 48 Series I MY in 13 days flat.....running 95% of the time at 1000 rpms, which gave us an average speed OTB of 8 K. We ran most days except 2, from 7 - 7:30 AM until we dropped anchor around 5:30 PM. We got fabulous mileage. Including the initial run by Bob from Baltimore YC to Crisfield, then on to Fla, we used less than 1000 gals of diesel. By the way the last couple of days we ran it "hard" at about 1100 rpm's in order to make our ultimate destination in time for my flight back north.

Prior to this trip, I have made 29 NJ to So. Fla boat runs, this leg makes it 30. I must say that on all my previous trips we always ran like hell (about 16K) to wait for the next bridge or slow speed, no wake zone. Except for Ocean legs of course, which are not always feasible because of rough conditions. Most of my previous trips required 10 to 14 days with as long as 21 days once because we needed so many weather days dockside. The best time was 7 days flat from Sandy Hook, NJ to Aventura, Fla, ocean most of the way (except Norfolk to Morehead City) I have never before made the run with so little fuel as we did on this trip last week. Fantastic trip.....

As far as departure times from NE areas, I have usually done my trips right after the Annapolis Boat Show in mid Oct, which I believe is a mistake due to the unsettled weather normally at that time. This most recent trip had us leaving Crisfield on 9-21, which is almost a month early for me. The weather was perfect ever single day.

Walt

 

[34Hatt]

Like others have said depends on the boat?????

I have 110v on the bridge and have put a heater up there and closed in the canvas and it was toasty It was snowing that day and it was early November.

Biggest thing is winds which have all ready been blowing so for putting a time on it! Depends on boat and crew! You need to get to Cape May before you can run inside and even still plenty of area's to get you but kicked unless your buying a 55C or something a long that size!

 

[Walter P]

Dan, you really need to get to Norfolk rather than Cape May. The Delaware has given me grief more than once as has the Chesapeake. Actually the Sounds and large rivers in NC can be a PITA as well. The best solution in my opinion is to leave early in the season if possible, otherwise don't make the common error of trying too hard to keep on a tight schedule. Leaving a safe harbor in iffy conditions when your better judgement tells you to stay is a sure receipe for a bad day on the water. Been there- done it....

Walt

 

[Deckhand]

Jimmy, fullfaced motorcycle helmet does wonders for the wind, other boaters might think your crazy but your ears will be warm

 

[34Hatt]

Dan, you really need to get to Norfolk rather than Cape May. The Delaware has given me grief more than once as has the Chesapeake. Actually the Sounds and large rivers in NC can be a PITA as well. The best solution in my opinion is to leave early in the season if possible, otherwise don't make the common error of trying too hard to keep on a tight schedule. Leaving a safe harbor in iffy conditions when your better judgement tells you to stay is a sure receipe for a bad day on the water. Been there- done it....

Walt

Yes Norfolk is better but it also depends on the boat and the weather, done it both ways. Norfolk by far is better if you can get there. Also depends on if its a hurry up and get there or more of a cruise and enjoyment a long the way!