In search of a captain

Similar issue on my end. Time off of work is a factor. I'm also interested in a few bridge boats on the west coast of Fl and wondering what it would cost as well as logistics getting it up here to the Northeast. Will be following.
 
From what I've learned in this short time span, it seems overwhelming at first, then kind of comes together. I'm not there yet, but getting educated.
 
420 sedan Bridge New Orleans to New Jersey. If there is a captain in the New Orleans area....let me know.

Did you by that gorgeous 420? That’s a sweet boat! Please tell me YOURE going to captain her home? That’s an experience you don’t want to pass up. I’m actually looking harder at boats from the Gulf than from New England, just so I can get that first voyage home! Only partially joking...
 
Believe it or not, land is not cheaper

I’d never buy a fly bridge that I had to ship by land. The disassembling and reassembling is a recipe for problems. I’d rather pilot her home up or down the coast instead!
 
Breaking it down is much easier than you think. I had the same anx...However on our 44DB, all wires were unplugged and marked. Only one wire was cut-the auto fire extinguisher from the bridge to the ER. It was butt spliced back together on this end. Everything worked after reassembling just as it did before disassembly. About $6k to disassemble and $4k to reassemble. The 400 mile ride was around $4200 I believe. Great hauler-Chris Holmes of US Boat Haulers.

We looked at a 420DB at LOTO that had been moved from Illinois. They cut every single wire under the helm and then did the awfulness caulk job you have ever see putting it back together. We ran from that one.

Initially the whole process is overwhelming. Make very detailed lists and mark things off as you go. This is one time you cannot eat the elephant in one bite-take many small bites.

I started a thread called “Our Dream Came True” if you might be interested in reading it.

Bennett
 
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I’ll definitely check it out. And yeah, I know sedan bridges are shipped by land all the time. I just know a) I wouldn’t be comfortable with it, and b) I’d be missing a potentially awesome voyage home from a remote location.
 
Do the trip. Might not ever have the chance again. I have done a few long relocation trips with friends and we have a blast. The experience is awesome!
 
Sometimes you have to move a boat over land, no choice, like to an inland lake. But moving a seaworthy boat between Florida and New England, or Great Lakes can be the voyage of a lifetime. Even for those of us who do it regularly, it’s always different, always challenging, and always satisfying. Of course the boat and the crew have to be up for the trip. Hiring a captain, especially the first time, can more than pay for itself in terms of knowledge gained.
 
If you cover my expenses, I'd be willing to help you bring it around to the Jacksonville area. That will get you through the Okeechobee locks too.

By then you'll have enough time on the boat that you should be able to take it from there.

I've run inside and outside the ICW from Lake Pontchartrain up to Jacksonville.

If not, I can give you tons of pointers to get it that far on your own. It's a VERY easy trip.
 

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