Transport or delivery question (Seattle to Portland, 24-27')

[Qorgyle]

I'm attempting to broaden my available market by including Seattle results for my boat search (coastal cruiser, 24-30'). While I do have a few likely hits, it occurs to me that getting it down here may be more expensive than is worth. I've never sailed on the ocean, nor have I done any sort of extended trip yet so I'm not sure whether even providing my services as crew would save me anything.

I'm not even sure what sort of seaworthiness assessment would have to be completed before undertaking delivery...

Any recommendations for either road transport or oversea delivery? Any gotchas to be aware of? Just looking for general information on the subject, or pointers to same. Thanks!

 

[SycloneDriver]

I'm sure you could find a coupe of competent guys from the local sailing club that would be happy to assist you on the trip.

 

[Qorgyle]

I'm sure you could find a coupe of competent guys from the local sailing club that would be happy to assist you on the trip.

Sure. I don't live in that area though, so if anyone knows anyone ....

 

[FastOlson]

Do you live in the Portland OR, area?
There are excellent boats in that size range for sale here. As for a delivery from Sea-Tac to PDX, it's pretty straight forward altho best to have a professional skipper run it the first time with you as crew. (No, not me. I have about 30 deliveries, but as crew or skipper of my own boat... no USCG license.)

 

[Qorgyle]

Do you live in the Portland OR, area?
There are excellent boats in that size range for sale here. As for a delivery from Sea-Tac to PDX, it's pretty straight forward altho best to have a professional skipper run it the first time with you as crew. (No, not me. I have about 30 deliveries, but as crew or skipper of my own boat... no USCG license.)

Good info, but short on details. Or, as the Wikipedia folks say, [citations needed].

 

[jssailem]

Lots of boats up in the Seattle area.

Required? Sound boat with mast and rigging that is sound.

Sail is a down the coast about 40 hrs. To Columbia river entrance. Down the roller coaster to the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Then there is the Bar. A pussycat at the right time.

the question. Can you find the right boat.

 

[Qorgyle]

Lots of boats up in the Seattle area.

Required? Sound boat with mast and rigging that is sound.

Sail is a down the coast about 40 hrs. To Columbia river entrance. Down the roller coaster to the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Then there is the Bar. A pussycat at the right time.

the question. Can you find the right boat.

Well, the one I'm looking at has been recently re-rigged. Buuut it is a mere 24 footer.

I'd say the more relevant question is whether I can find the right skipper (i.e. someone who will look at the boat and be able to yay/nay it and then take us safely down - or not, of course). I do not have the experience to make that call.

 

[Hayden Watson]

At 24' you might be able to find someone with a trailer that you can rent and tow it yourself.

 

[jssailem]

Depending on the boat the idea of trailering a 24’ boat the 200 miles is a very practical choice.

Where in the Puget Sound did you discover this gem ?
What is her age?

 

[Qorgyle]

Depending on the boat the idea of trailering a 24’ boat the 200 miles is a very practical choice.

Where in the Puget Sound did you discover this gem ?
What is her age?

Couple of potentials are in Everett, the other (27') is in Olympia (so even closer, technically). They're both from the mid 70s.

So far got a quote of ~3k for trailering it, and that's of course without haul-out/launch. Guess I'm just going to have to look closer, that's going to end up being half of the boat cost

 

[MikeHoncho]

At that length you should have a ton of options all the way to two-cities.

 

[FastOlson]

What is the budget? Initial vs expenditure by end of second season? Those two numbers can vary by a factor or 2X or 3X, keep in mind.
If you post up a decent number, like about 25K, you can get a turn key 25 to 30 foot boat, or you can buy a money pit of a 35 footer.
Everything depends on build quality and present state of maintenance. Everything.... !
Once you get down to under 10K, it's a total crap shoot.
There are several good boats for sale from my YC now, email me via the site private messaging option for leads. People like to say that it's hard to find a boat this year, but there are good ones for sale if you look around and tamp down on preconceived notions.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Look for boats up to 26 feet with trailers

 

[capta]

If one considers any trip up or down the left coast of the US, the trip from Seattle is probably the easiest anywhere on that coast. As long as you do not plan on any stops.
It's been a very, very long time since I was up that way, but I don't think there are many, if any, safe places to get out of the weather in that trip. I'd suggest on planning for at least three days, well offshore. Practice heaving-to, as you could needed it.
It's around 175 Statute miles , so if you can keep her moving at 4 knots or more (motor sail if needed), you're looking at a day and 3/4. That should be possible in most weather windows for that trip. Being from Portland, I assume you have the Columbia River Bar wired.
Two people could do that with ease, three would be a bit cramped, but not impossible. Have fun, this is how one really learns to adventure under sail.

 

[LloydB]

If transporting your boat is going to cost you 1/3 of your used boat budget I am wondering if you plan on parking it wet in Portland somewhere after the purchase. If that is the case you might find the your best option is to look at boats with A 1/3 higher price tag already at a marina. Being a lurker of Craigslist myself I have noticed that from time to time a trailerless Unicorn will lift it's head and expose itself at PDX. Tempting the pirate within me to become an underfunded sailboat baron. Just thought I'd ask before Fern Ridge dries up again.

 

[Qorgyle]

If that is the case you might find the your best option is to look at boats with A 1/3 higher price tag already at a marina.

That is in fact the conclusion I am reaching myself. Although there are ways around having to use a dedicated shipping company, there's still having to take down the mast and putting it back up (all with people who have never done it before), putting a larger boat on a trailer (ditto, and I suspect this is a lot more tricky with a keelboat than my previous dinghy-only experience ) and getting it back in the water ... and then driving the trailer back. And then myself back again. I'm exhausted just thinking about the logistics.

I've added a few more boat listings to my search for now, it's expanded the Portland offerings quite a bit. Thanks all!