Sailing from NY to Florida

[Shooter]

Weather, Weather, Weather

Looks like you've already received some great advice so far. If your interests and goals are to be offshore sailors, planning a trip to Bermuda, then to Florida would be great experience. Remember, it's all about the weather and the Gulf Stream. If your goal is to just get to Florida the easiest way possible, then your options from lowest risk (and least time required ) to greater risk (and time required) are 1) truck the boat, 2) hire a delivery captain, 3) intercoastal passage 4) coastal plus intercoastal passage.

If you are sailors, I recommend option 4, commit the time, have fun planning the trip...you'll get down safely and have the time of your life. Once you get the cruising bug..you may find yourself in the Bahamas next season, a relatively easy trip from Florida. If your heart isn't into sailing anymore and are thinking more about motorboats and dock sailing, I wouldn't make the passage at all (option 1 or 2). Even on the intercoastal, there are plenty of risks and it not just about driving down a ditch, there are plenty of exposed areas, shallows, severe weather and barge traffic. I have no doubt you can do it if you plan for it, and you have a nice boat...just be honest with yourselves in what your goals are and you'll make the right decision.

If you need any info about Florida intercoastal or coastal sailing / anchoring & docking, feel free to contact me.

Good Luck!

Jeff

 

[sailingdog]

Shooter—

I am curious as to why you think the ICW would be faster than a coastal/ICW passage. Going coastal from NYC to Norfolk is far shorter than going via the Delaware, C&D Canal and Chesapeake.

StellaetRichard—

I do have one question for you, what is the draft on your boat? I'm not too worried about the air draft, since most of the ICW has 65' clearance or so on fixed bridges, but some of it is pretty shoaly.

 

[Caboteur]

NY to Florida

Hi,
With a decent weather watch, SSB or amateur radio, July can be a decent time to sail. There will be sqwalls, but aside from these the wind shouldn't be too strong. The pilot charts give an average of 15 to 20 kts; just nice offshore wind though a bit close-hauled. The water & air temp are good enough. The sailing from Bermuda to Bahamas will be downhill & should be great fun!
To do the offshore you MUST have life-lines & harnesses, emergency tiller AND rudder, separate water tanks preferably vented inside, a life raft, a 406mHz EPIRB etc...
Watch out this may be habit forming! Bermuda is nice though the approach is a little touchy. (been 3 times, all in July) There are several ocean races to Bermuda and back at that time of year: the Marion-Bermuda, the Newport-Bermuda and several from the Chesapeake to Bermuda... I think there is a Miami to Bermuda also!
If you want help for setting-up the boat & safety procedures do not hesitate to call or write... 450 436 6986

 

[Witzend]

I would not take a light Hunter off shore. It's a bay/lake boat especially if it has a wing keel. I use to have a Legend 37 and got caught in a blow, the flat nature of the bow made for a very rough ride, the rig shuttered with every wave. Go, but stay coastal/inter-coastal.

 

[Benny]

The choice between an adventure and a truckin bill I think is a no brainer. Figure out how much time you would have available now and plan your trip in stages. The ICW offers many alternatives for a pleasent adventure. Like others have mentioned there are plenty of marinas along the way where you may safely leave the boat and fly home until you can get away again. For $6,000 to $10,000 you can afford marinas, plane tickets home some hotel stays and enjoy some good restaurants along the way. You may look at it as a couple mini vacations. If you can work from your condo in Florida you could probably also work from the boat. Cell phone use and wifi connections are available at short intervals. You can do some coastal legs out in the Atlantic when the weather is good. Don't be afraid of breakdowns, tow insurance and a credit card usually will resolve anything. Services and parts are widely available. I enjoy the planning of a trip and the more stages the better as you have to work the logistics. Completion of a trip builds confidence and provides great satisfaction.

 

[BobM]

I can let you know...

Bob,

I saw that book the other day, but the dust cover drama turned me away. Is the book itself better ? I would like to read the account, but not a pumped up version.

Thanks
Todd

...but I know the first hand version and it seems like it would be pretty tough to exaggerate real life in this case. I just spoke to my friend, who was involved, and he has read it and said it is an unvarnished account of events.

 

[Todd Smith]

Thanks for the feedback. I would expect extreme events, but it was the dust jacket's "headline style" writing that formed my impression of being hyped up.

I'll go read some of the actual book and see how it reads.