Ship it or drive it???

[mkh8911]

I just purchased a 1968 34C. I'm new to this class of vessel. The boat is located in Michigan City, Indiana. I live in Tennessee. I'm tempted to drive the boat from Lake Michigan to Lake Barkley, Ky where it will be slipped (via the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland rivers). My other option is to load it on a flatbed and haul it home. The boat is on the hard now, winterized. If anyone has any suggestions on the best method of travel I would appreciate any comments. I suppose one of the downsides to tractor-trailer travel is that I will have to remove the flybridge to get the boat under 13'6". My main concern with river travel is fuel locations and bridge clearance. Thanks!

 

[rsmith]

I just purchased a 1968 34C. I'm new to this class of vessel. The boat is located in Michigan City, Indiana. I live in Tennessee. I'm tempted to drive the boat from Lake Michigan to Lake Barkley, Ky where it will be slipped (via the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland rivers). My other option is to load it on a flatbed and haul it home. The boat is on the hard now, winterized. If anyone has any suggestions on the best method of travel I would appreciate any comments. I suppose one of the downsides to tractor-trailer travel is that I will have to remove the flybridge to get the boat under 13'6". My main concern with river travel is fuel locations and bridge clearance. Thanks!

drive it!!!!!!

 

[Tim Powell]

drive it!!!!!!

drive it did u purchase to see it on truck//// if you are concerned about keeping it in deep water or fuel have a captain go with you but definately DRIVE TIM

 

[Finalee]

If it is seaworthy and you have the time drive it.

 

[C. Edmund]

drive it did u purchase to see it on truck//// if you are concerned about keeping it in deep water or fuel have a captain go with you but definately DRIVE TIM

Yep -- hire a captain -- about 350 a day plus drinks on the bridge and dinner -- and you and he drive it down. Best investment of time you can make in learning the boat.

At that size, you'll get comfortable in no time.

 

[Pascal]

i'd say drive it home (with help if needed) but the fact that it is still winterized makes me wonder how it was surveyed and sea trialed, as well as prior history. i'd be reluctant to do the trip under these conditions without a thorough sea trial and shake down cruise first. Especially on the river system where current and commercial traffic can become serious dangers in case of a mechanical issue.

 

[Boatsb]

Call Randy ( Freebird ) I bet he can get it down there even if it don't run.

 

[REBrueckner]

Several ways to think about it..

(1) Will you ever say "Boy I'm glad I had the boat shipped home, that sure was a lot of fun."

(2) How would you feel if you got sick or injured after truck delivery and could not use your new boat?

(3) In a few weeks we'll be into September and October some of the best cruising weather of the year.

(4) When will you travel this route by boat again after delivery? That's why this likely will be a once in a lifetime experience.

(5) See the note beneath my signature below. My boating days are now almost certainly over and I do not recall ever thinking "Man I'm sorry I spent so much time aboard doing THAT!!!!...."

PS: Make sure you have ice, beer and a grill aboard for relaxing evening dinners. And bring a digital camera.

 

[ron6785]

Well you certainly have time to drive the boat home, you're only talking two weeks max if you go every day. I too would be curious as to why and how long the boat has been dry docked. Did you sea trial the boat ???.

Since we don't know anything about the background of the boat, let's assume that the boat has not been run lately and you have issues with the boat as most new owners do, it can be quite a harrowing experience to have something that you perceive to be wrong with the boat while traveling and not close to local sources. Which is why some have suggested an experienced captain, one with mechanical knowledge, go with you. It does however provide the perfect enviroment for learning about your boat.

I brought mine back some 1500 miles from florida and by the time I got home I knew just about everything about the operating systems on the boat.

The part of trip on the rivers is not particularily noteworthy from a pleasure boat standpoint, however there are fuel stops and enough marinas to stop at overnight.

 

[Tim Powell]

Several ways to think about it..

(1) Will you ever say "Boy I'm glad I had the boat shipped home, that sure was a lot of fun."

(2) How would you feel if you got sick or injured after truck delivery and could not use your new boat?

(3) In a few weeks we'll be into September and October some of the best cruising weather of the year.

(4) When will you travel this route by boat again after delivery? That's why this likely will be a once in a lifetime experience.

(5) See the note beneath my signature below. My boating days are now almost certainly over and I do not recall ever thinking "Man I'm sorry I spent so much time aboard doing THAT!!!!...."

PS: Make sure you have ice, beer and a grill aboard for relaxing evening dinners. And bring a digital camera.

REMEMBER//// IT IS ONE WAY THAT WONT HAPPEND AGAIN tIM

 

[mkh8911]

Thanks for everyone's input. I did not do a sea trial. All I have is the owner's word that all of the boat's systems work (except the a/c). I've wanted a Hatteras for years and I found one in my price range and bought it. The boat has been well maintained by professional marina mechanics. The hull is nearly perfect. Shes a 42 year old boat. I'm expecting some things not to work properly. But underlying any problems is a quality built craft.

So, now that I'm driving the boat to Tennessee, anyone know how I might find a full fledged captain to travel at least part of the way?

Thanks again everyone....

 

[ThirdHatt]

Thanks for everyone's input. I did not do a sea trial. All I have is the owner's word that all of the boat's systems work (except the a/c). I've wanted a Hatteras for years and I found one in my price range and bought it. The boat has been well maintained by professional marina mechanics. The hull is nearly perfect. Shes a 42 year old boat. I'm expecting some things not to work properly. But underlying any problems is a quality built craft.

So, now that I'm driving the boat to Tennessee, anyone know how I might find a full fledged captain to travel at least part of the way?

Thanks again everyone....

Congrats on buying a Hatteras. They are GREAT boats! With the support of this forum and the guys at Sam's Marine, you will have everything you need to do the right thing for your new baby.

Not seatrialing and surveying before purchasing a boat is a huge risk, but what is done is done. I think that hiring a full fledged Captain is an excellent idea, and a full fledged Captain is not just a guy that passes a test for a license. Be sure to find a Captain that is truly experienced on the water and has been doing paid deliveries for many, many years. It is very important that he is also very experienced at hands-on maintenance and on-the-go mechanical repairs. Ask lots of questions about what types of repairs he has had to do over the years on deliveries to get an idea of who you are dealing with. In my experience most good delivery Captains pride themselves on their ability of making repairs while on a delivery and do their best to fix or repair anything that goes wrong on a delivery (to the best of their ability with the tools and materials on board) to safely deliver the boat to the intended destination.

Without a good seatrial and mechanical survey, you really have no idea of how seaworthy the boat is so in this particular situation having someone along that is mechanically inclined is a must in my opinion. Make sure that you do as much service to the engines, gears, generator and driveline as possible before beginning on your journey. Inspect the cutlass bearings, change the oil in the gears, change the oil and filters in the engines, change the fuel filters and carry several spares for the trip, be sure to replace the raw water impellers, inspect all the hoses and belts and change any that have cracks or look questionable, etc. This will get you familiar with your new boat and also go a long way to avoiding any mechanical issues on the trip home.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[REBrueckner]

For a captain, maybe you can contact some commercial guys that run the river and know at least parts of it as you know your local streets.

You can also call an insurance company and ask for recommendations.

And you can check with any local marina andsee who captains pleasure boats.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

None of the experts here spoke of the fiberglass fuel tank/ethanol situation, LOOK INTO THAT, You dont need fuel problems above Cairo, Il. !! I am in Chicago and available to give you a quick lesson or make the 1/4 day trip across the lake to get you on the river... ws

 

[ppat324]

I am kind of new to the boating scene...but I am with Yachtsmanwilly and we are on the Calumet River. From the harbor you will come from to our marina would be as Willy said only 2-3 hours barring any problems with the boat. Once you get on the river it is pretty smooth at least until you get past seneca. Not sure after that. Several locks to go through but we take the 36' Roamer thru without tying down to the wall alot of times. Depends on the traffic. Whatever you decide to do be sure to stop and say hello after you get thru the O'Brien lock. Ya cant miss Willys Hatteras!!! LOL Biggest yacht at the marina! They also have fuel and food and bar......ppat


ps... if you need help locating parts or what not we can help around Lake Michigan and on the Calumet river area!!! Plus we have TOOLS!

 

[Glory]

Several ways to think about it..

(1) Will you ever say "Boy I'm glad I had the boat shipped home, that sure was a lot of fun."

(2) How would you feel if you got sick or injured after truck delivery and could not use your new boat?

(3) In a few weeks we'll be into September and October some of the best cruising weather of the year.

(4) When will you travel this route by boat again after delivery? That's why this likely will be a once in a lifetime experience.

(5) See the note beneath my signature below. My boating days are now almost certainly over and I do not recall ever thinking "Man I'm sorry I spent so much time aboard doing THAT!!!!...."

PS: Make sure you have ice, beer and a grill aboard for relaxing evening dinners. And bring a digital camera.

All good advice. I have been living that line without ever saying it.

JM

 

[ThirdHatt]

None of the experts here spoke of the fiberglass fuel tank/ethanol situation, LOOK INTO THAT

Great advice! I just ASSumed that the boat has diesels but maybe they are gasoline? That certainly makes a difference in how the boat is prepared for such a trip.

 

[mkh8911]

They are gasoline engines. Thanks ppat324 and Yachtsmanwilly. Yachtsmanwilly, I may take you up on your offer of instruction. It has fiberglass fuel tanks. What should I do to verify delamination of the tanks? Do they need to be replaced prior to a lengthy voyage? I suppose a visual inspection of the inside of the tank via the fuel gauge would reveal any delamination issues? Of course, I read the horror stories after I bought the boat. I probably would have bought it anyway. How much can fuel tanks cost anyway??? I'll just bring a hose, a few clamps, my portable air compressor and a die grinder, a few sparks never hurt anyone...

 

[yachtsmanbill]

...and this guy has a sense of humor! Dont get yerself lined up for banned CAMP !! Another guy here has new stainless tanks that may be an option. Check the for sale parts section.
Now, what about the logistics? When ya planning on leaving? You really should launch and run the boat for a week or so to find any deficiencies etc.
Kentucky lake is a good 8-9 day run at 10 hours per day. Theres a few long stretches where fuel becomes an issue as well, but its mostly downhill. Fall is a good time to go, as its a bit cooler then. Do you have a crew from Chicago south?
A week from thursday we are running the 58 over to Grand Haven for a Hatteras rendezvous. Feel free to join along. Ppat can fill you in on instructions, I just drive the big boat ;-)) ws

 

[yachtsmanbill]

So heres the land mark on the river... 58TC Hatteras and a 1963 36foot aluminum Roamer. Where in the volunteer state you from? Soddy Daisy maybe? ws