Transfer of Beneteau 31‘ from FL -> NY

[MKSail]

Dear Sailboat Owners,

I have recently purchased a Beneteau 31‘ 2009 in Punta Gorda, Florida and would like to transfer he up to New Rochelle, New York. I evaluated the option of hauling her up, but would prefer to sail her on her own bottom while I could gain experience in handling her properly and make my ASA105 or NauticEd along the route.

While I am planning to leave around May 14th and intend to be in New Rochelle by first week of June, it is not required to me to join the entire trip and I am considering splitting the trip into two legs. One where I am present and do my thing and a second leg where a delivery captain can do the delivery part.

Does anyone know a ASA, NauticED instructor and/or delivery captain available mid May?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Mathias

 

[jssailem]

Good morning Mathias and welcome to the SBO forum. Pretty boat.

The question on my mind is. Why wouldn’t you sail your new boat all the way yourself?

Such a great adventure and opportunity to get to know your boat. You can do such a trip in stages. Plan it out like jumping from country to country in the Med. Apply good weather conditions to the journey as days to sail and avoid bad days.

The ICW is made for the boater who wants to avoid the open ocean or Cape Hatteras.

Your new boat only draws 4.3 feet so you should scoot over most of the shallow spots along the way. You will learn to apply all the charts and routes stuff you learned in your ASA classes.

For the money you will need to spend, take a vacation and become one with your boat. Get a few friends to join you.

Just saying these opportunities do not come up in a lifetime very often.

 

[Tom J]

That is a very tight timeline, even for an experienced sailor. There are too many variables to consider here to list them all, but some are: weather, the boat's condition, your experience level, provisions and supplies, etc.
The ocean route would be quickest, but is dependent on weather and experience. Places like Cape Hatteras are not for the novice. Having an instructor on board, or a captain in charge would definitely be the way to go.
I have made the trip between Charlotte Harbor and Massachusetts three times, and the one thing I would stress above all else is to not be on too tight a schedule, or better yet, have no schedule at all. Not being experienced ocean sailors, we opted for the ICW route, and figured on a month or so on our first trip north. The trip took six weeks, and we were on the water at times in conditions I would avoid now. We both had summer jobs waiting, so we pushed on in marginal conditions, such as fog off the coast of New Jersey for three days. By the time we reached MA, we were exhausted. On the return trip in the fall, we had no schedule and enjoyed the trip immensely. We stopped at places like Annapolis, Charleston, and St. Augustine, places we had missed seeng on the trip north. We took two and a half months to get home, and arrived refreshed and relaxed.
As John mentioned, it would be great if you could make this a vacation and a learning experience you will enjoy.

 

[shemandr]

One data point is to learn if you can make it under the Indiantown bridge. That would determine if you can traverse Florida via Ochechobee lake or need to circumnavigate the Florida peninsula.
Last June we took a Tartan 37 from Stuart to Montauk in 6.5 days. 2 ocean experienced sailors and me, water maker, solar power, AIS integrated with GPS. Life raft, dingy. we arrived with extra food. No radar. If you get a weather window and are prepared, I think it’s fastest safest way. Less time out = less risk. Get in the stream and go!

 

[Tom J]

One data point is to learn if you can make it under the Indiantown bridge. That would determine if you can traverse Florida via Ochechobee lake or need to circumnavigate the Florida peninsula.

Best to check with the Army Corp of Engineers on lake water levels and the air draft at the railroad bridge at Port Myaka on the east shore of Lake Okeechobie if you decide to go that route. I believe the air draft is usually around 50', which was cutting it close for us. We hired a fellow to come out from Indiantown Marina and use barrels of water to tilt our boat and gain additional clearance. We learned a lot about locks and inland waterways on that trip, and had some interesting stops along the way, especially Indiantown. We prefer the route through the keys, though, and enjoy hanging out in Marathon and Islamorada.