Transporting our new (older) 49 from Maine to Florida starting on Aug 8th

[Knot Sure]

Hi fellow cruisers,
I’m seeking advice on weather conditions and safe limits for ocean travel, particularly concerning wind and wave conditions in the Atlantic from Maine to Florida. We’re based on the Gulf Coast (St. Pete) and typically cruise up and down the Gulf, but we're planning to venture into the Atlantic, which involves long stretches of open ocean. Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and best regards,

 

[Pascal]

The good thing is that for most of the trip, from Norfolk to sofl you can run the ICW if the weather offshore is too
Rough. If the boat isn’t stabilized and you have easterly winds, I would avoid running offshore with anything above 15kts.

Now between Maine and Norfolk it s mostly open waters so you may have to pick your days to make your way down to the cape and then thru LIS. The Jersey coast can a long run too when snotty.

 

[cww]

Does it have stabilizers or not? And if not is it just you and a buddy, or do you have friends or family with you who will get seasick? I think a lot of your planning depends on that.

 

[Pascal]

Also depends on how much time you have for the trip. If you have time, say a full month, enjoy the ride and take ICW south of Norfolk. Many great towns worth stopping even for just an evening.

 

[metama]

As noted NJ is on the outside. So pick your day. I have run from NJ to Norfolk on the outside overnight and made it to coinjock in one nice big run.

You also want to think about going on the outside right above Charleston (and cut that corner too) if you can. Gets shallow in a few spots.

Going from Charleston or one of the SC northern Georgia islands to Jacksonville on the outside is also a good idea.

The rest is mostly ICW.

 

[Knot Sure]

The good thing is that for most of the trip, from Norfolk to sofl you can run the ICW if the weather offshore is too
Rough. If the boat isn’t stabilized and you have easterly winds, I would avoid running offshore with anything above 15kts.

Now between Maine and Norfolk it s mostly open waters so you may have to pick your days to make your way down to the cape and then thru LIS. The Jersey coast can a long run too when snotty.

Thanks!

 

[Knot Sure]

Does it have stabilizers or not? And if not is it just you and a buddy, or do you have friends or family with you who will get seasick? I think a lot of your planning depends on that.

No stabilizers, but it is an express (GB East Bay) that runs at 20-25knts. Our other boat is a Hatteras 58 Yacht Fish that we never take off shore (which is for sale). It's me and my wife.

 

[rsmith]

Hatteras made a 49?

 

[Jims43DC]

Think OP said it is a Grand Banks Express 49

 

[JD5652]

Cliff Notes ...

Maine Coast down to Cape Cod Canal
You could bounce out in Nargannsett Bay and go around Montauk...if you do that... spend night in Montauk and then it's a LONG day to Atlantic City.

IF Staying in LI Sound....
Plan trip to be at west end of LI Sound on a night stay over
Through NYC and down to Atlantic City on a long day trip

IF going inside....

AC to Cape May and up Delaware Bay to C&D Canal
Then to Chesapeake and make your way south down ICW
It will be about 40 days running and gunning every day from AC to St Pete if you go across Okeechobee. If you go south and around... add 10-14 days if you're on the outside and around the keys.

You can easily go outside in a 20-25 knot boat and make the "in and out" worth it and probably shorten the trip by 15 days. That will then take on a whole other context about when you bounce out, weather, etc.

You sight seeing... or just want to get 'er done?

FYI... I live in Riviera Dunes, FL and did this trip a couple years ago on the inside with my 58 LRC. But have done parts of that trip in other boats a couple times before.