Get new 2 me Sailboat south
- Thread starter jmczzz
- Start date
I think that must be the seller's Daughter. I never met anyone but the seller.
Nah . . . This is what happens when us sailors are cooped up for the winter and have nothing better to do.
Jimmy, nice boat.
I noticed the registration numbers indicate the boat was last registered in Florida. Curious if the seller mentioned how it ended up in NJ and hw long it's been up here?
I agree, go for the adventure. You've stated in another thread you live aboard a 22'r now so you're well aware of the size restrictions when planning your trip.
Break up your trip into comfortable legs, plan for replenishing supplies and go for it.
If you do decide to have it trucked, you might want to consider having it trucked part way. The trucker who brought my boat down from RI spends his fall trucking boats to Florida and in the spring he brings them back north. He fit my delivery into his schedule because he had a rare December trip going north to LI. You may be able to get a good rate to get you in warmer waters, then finish the trip from there.
I noticed the registration numbers indicate the boat was last registered in Florida. Curious if the seller mentioned how it ended up in NJ and hw long it's been up here?
I agree, go for the adventure. You've stated in another thread you live aboard a 22'r now so you're well aware of the size restrictions when planning your trip.
Break up your trip into comfortable legs, plan for replenishing supplies and go for it.
If you do decide to have it trucked, you might want to consider having it trucked part way. The trucker who brought my boat down from RI spends his fall trucking boats to Florida and in the spring he brings them back north. He fit my delivery into his schedule because he had a rare December trip going north to LI. You may be able to get a good rate to get you in warmer waters, then finish the trip from there.
I keep my boat in Tom’s river Nj and normally pretty cold in February plus west winds keep the wind chill pretty cold as well. Normally I splash about the first or second week in march and even then still gets pretty cold at night staying overnight at the dock. The west winds are still pretty strong and creates a lot of choppy seas not to mention cold temps. Sailing after the sun goes down is something to take in consideration after being chilly all day. As others have mentioned you might want to get some quotes on trucking it. If you want to get a quote, contact Carmen the manager at Lighthouse point marina in South Toms River. He is usually there m-f winter hours 8-2 He has a transport company and trailers boats on the weekends. I believe he makes runs to and from Florida and he might be able to get you a fair price. Others I know have used him for short hauls and said very fair price and professional.
Jimmy, there are obviously opposing views to this but I'm on the side of taking the adventure. Make sure the sails, rigging and engine are in good condition. Load up with supplies and set sail. It sounds like you are retired and have the time, spend 3 or 4 months, don't rush it, see the sites along the way. I sold my C&C27 a couple years ago for about the same as you paid for your boat and it would have been great for that trip so don't worry about limiting your experience based on the value of the boat. Trucking would very likely be cheaper, you could even rent a U-Haul pick up and drive it yourself, but what fun would that be? I say if you are going to buy a sail boat - why not sail it.
This is a very doable trip in a 26' boat, it would of course be more comfortable in a larger boat.
Coming down the ICW is mostly about motoring, having the diesel in good shape is probably more important than having good sails. There are many places to find competent (and incompetent) marine mechanics along the way. It is not necessary to stay in marinas every night, there are plenty of anchorages.
Along the way you will meet many fellow travelers who will provide support and knowledge. The dream of sailing away in a boat lives in many dirt dwellers who are willing to help you if you need help. In one town we were walking to the grocery store and a guy stopped asked where we were going and said hop in. The same thing happened on the way back. (Hint: Use a walking stick or a cane, they seem to garner some sympathy.)
Count on moving about 40 miles a day, that's an 8 hour day at 5 mph. An autopilot helps on the long straight channels. A working VHF is essential. If you are a solitary kind of guy, the trip is very doable solo.
There is a Facebook group Bob423 that has lots of info on the ICW. Get the Skipper Bob book on ICW Anchorages and download Aquamaps for your tablet for navigation. Spend this winter learning about the route and do it.
And don't forget unlimited towing, just in case. The tow boat operators are a good source of local knowledge.
My wife and I are in doing the trip now. We've written about our experience on our website.
The O'day 26 is a swing keel auxillary OB trailer sailor.
O'DAY 26 - sailboatdata
Max recommended HP: 15 Available with optional inboard diesel.
sailboatdata.com
No disel to worry about. Make sure the OB works. If you need a new one, I recommend the Tohatsu 6 HP sailpro.
I think the trip would be a lot of fun. Until a month ago, I had a Hunter 26 and sailed it a lot in the North Carolina outerbanks. These shoal draft boats open up a lot of anchorages that deeper boats cannot take advantage of. So if you want to sail her, start the prep now and there are a lot of people here that can point you to coastal cruising guides etc.
If you are doing this to save money, you might come out ahead buying a trailer and hauling it yourself.
r
If you are doing this to save money, you might come out ahead buying a trailer and hauling it yourself.
r
Some 26’s did have an inboard diesel. Although the ad for this one posted above said it’s an outboard model.The O'day 26 is a swing keel auxillary OB trailer sailor.
O'DAY 26 - sailboatdata
Max recommended HP: 15 Available with optional inboard diesel.
No disel to worry about. Make sure the OB works. If you need a new one, I recommend the Tohatsu 6 HP sailpro.
A trip like this in an untested, unfamiliar, 26', $6500 boat could be more adventure than one would want or be able to afford.
Taking the trip in a reasonably well maintained known larger sailboat can be an adventure and one that challenges one's financial resources.
The beauty of a simple boat like this O'Day 26 is that it is simple. There are few systems to fail and those that might are easily and realitively inexpensive to replace or repair. The biggest potential expense might be replacing the OB, a 10 hp long shaft OB will be easier, faster, and cheaper to replace than a Kanzaki transmission with the attendant installation and hotel costs. Actually a 9.9 HP Yamaha is cheaper than the chart plotter I had to replace.
There are risks to everything we do, the risks on this trip are fairly low. If the OP has the time it is a trip worth taking.
Sound like great experiences but not really qualifications. I like the last part best.
I know I'm late to the discussion but I'd agree with the ones who suggested shipping the boat. I am pretty much in agreement with John, Paul, (Betcha you thought of the Beatles) Rick and Dave.
Mother Nature isn't done beating the crap out of the East Coast. Our Michigan weather is not spring like (for sailing and spending nights on the boat in a marina with two heaters cranked up) until late May or even June, and what we get, the East Coast gets. We might get some teaser 60 or 70 degree days but we also have a lot of 30 to 40 degree nights. I've launched in May with snow coming down.
Outside of the weather that early in the season, and the way things work with yards, supplies, cure times and temps for paints and OOPs's you might consider adding the cost of hotel/motel expenses for as much as a month, while working on the boat in an unfamiliar area. It might even take a that long, dodging the weather while attempting to work on the boat. Don't forget Murphy!
A "New to ME" boat of that size, age and price should be considered a day sailer or a weekender. Not something to spend a month on and certainly not one that I'd take on a month long trek like you are planning. Maybe if I was younger and more adventuresome, I might consider it. One Nor'easter and the sea and winds are confused for as much as two or more weeks as far south as the Virgins. Made for great sailing but that was on a much larger sailboat.
That boat should be easily trailer-able behind a pick up. I trailered a previous 26' S2 behind an old tired Suburban and launched it (shoal draft). It could also be an add on with another boat heading south with a commercial carrier. Most trucked boats are heading north for the summer and the rate might be less with a trucker covering "deadhead" miles.
Whatever you decide, be safe. Let us know what you finally decided and if you went, I'd like to hear your experience.