How hard? Barnegat Bay, NJ to Charleston

Sadler, I would run the boat while it is still under warranty, you could rack up 40 hrs on that trip and it would shake things out. If your buying from a dealer,and made your best deal, try to finagle warranty coverage to Labor day.
 
Sadler said:
Thanks so much for the offer Dominic. You guys are making this toooo easy....:thumbsup: Must calm down. Must act rationally. Must not be hasty.
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No problem....we like spending other people's $$$$$$.....it doesn't hurt a bit....:grin:

Just let me know what I can do to help.

Good luck....
 
Thanks very much everyone. I've been in touch on this boat, and all looks good. My next step is talk to the Admiral. Crunch time.
 
Sadler:

Bring her home on her own bottom as Dancin Dave Suggested. Nothing like finding all of the warrenty issues while someone else is paying. No matter how good you are when you take something apart it never goes back together the way it came apart so leave it together and have fun coming down the ICW.

As far as a captain goes get that thrown into the deal as he will be a great person to talk to until Beth lets you out of the dog house. I would be careful coming thru Virginia unless your antenna is ready for inspection. Good luck and have fun.
 
SearayPaul said:
Sadler: ... I would be careful coming thru Virginia unless your antenna is ready for inspection. Good luck and have fun.
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I've been reading about this new USCG antenna regulation. I understand all the Coasties now carry angle finders. The new spec in Virginia is especially tight: +/- 0.15 degrees from normal. I'm going to put mine on a weighted pivot so it'll be normal to the earth's gravity 24/7. That way, I'll never have to worry. If anyone's interested, I could make them available. Antenna peace of mind.
 
Sadler- take the trip by water. First of all it's a great way to get familiar/comfortable with the boat. Diesels want to run, so don't worry about that. We brought a 400 DB from Plymouth, Mass. to Rock Hall, MD (the heart of the sissy part of Chesapeake) in two days. Plus, trucking a boat that size puts alot of wear and tear on the boat, as boats are made to be floating, not sitting on the back of a flatbed bouncing down I-95.

This trip is definitely doable. I've done the NJ-Chesapeake part too many times to count and it's a simple trip as long as you are prudent with the weather. It doesn't need to be calm, but any sub-small craft warning conditions are preferred. And you could do it in harsher conditions, the boat can definitely handle it, it's just a matter of whether or not you want to subject yourself (and your crew) to that kind of pounding.

Good luck either way!
 
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festivus44 said:
Sadler- take the trip by water. First of all it's a great way to get familiar/comfortable with the boat. Diesels want to run, so don't worry about that. We brought a 400 DB from Plymouth, Mass. to Rock Hall, MD (the heart of the sissy part of Chesapeake) in two days. Plus, trucking a boat that size puts alot of wear and tear on the boat, as boats are made to be floating, not sitting on the back of a flatbed bouncing down I-95.

This trip is definitely doable. I've done the NJ-Chesapeake part too many times to count and it's a simple trip as long as you are prudent with the weather. It doesn't need to be calm, but any sub-small craft warning conditions are preferred. And you could do it in harsher conditions, the boat can definitely handle it, it's just a matter of whether or not you want to subject yourself (and your crew) to that kind of pounding.

Good luck either way!
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Very good points. I'm quite convinced now the best option is to block out two or three days for boat orientation, or use a captain, and take her home on her own bottom. With all the great help here, it's a no-brainer. Thanks to everyone!

My next challenge is to make sure there's not a competitive 420DA closer to home (doubtful, but something I have to rule out). I got that ball rolling this morning.

As for the Admiral, she's going with me Friday to look a 420DA over and give me her verdict on 420DAs in general. She's a little dubious at dropping this much on a boat, but I sense a good outcome. Something smaller, I could do on my own, but at this level I need her on board. Otherwise, I might end up having to move permanently onto this boat.
 
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No need to hire a captain....just plan the purchase for when Skip is in town on business and he and I will surely help you burn some dino juice in the Barnegat Bay area for a for few days....we'll even watch, from on deck of course, as you change the racors a few times....:grin:
 
Sadler-
Have you calculated the length of the trip? I did some very rough crunching and it looks like about 600nm on the "outside" and about 700nm if you go the C&D route. I would strongly suggest that if you have the time, the Chesapeake route is much more scenic and pleasant. Particularly since the Delmarva coast is famous for not having any viable bailout points, other than Ocean City, MD. That can make for a long day if the weather turns to hell on you.

How much time do you anticipate having for this trip? It looks like you could push it and make it in three long days (weather permitting) if need be, but you'd be missing a lot of cool stuff along the way. Half the fun in these trips is in the planning.
 
Thanks Dominic. That would be great fun. You and Skip would be excellent experienced co-captains. For that, I'll change Racors all day. Heck, if this boat doesn't work out, I may limit all my searches to the NJ coast, just so I can make this trip.
 
festivus44 said:
Sadler-
Have you calculated the length of the trip? I did some very rough crunching and it looks like about 600nm on the "outside" and about 700nm if you go the C&D route. I would strongly suggest that if you have the time, the Chesapeake route is much more scenic and pleasant. Particularly since the Delmarva coast is famous for not having any viable bailout points, other than Ocean City, MD. That can make for a long day if the weather turns to hell on you.

How much time do you anticipate having for this trip? It looks like you could push it and make it in three long days (weather permitting) if need be, but you'd be missing a lot of cool stuff along the way. Half the fun in these trips is in the planning.
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This is sounding better all the time. In all, we'd have three weeks to boat--that's the time I blocked out at work to be gone--originally for a Bahamas trip. With the great places described here to visit on the way home, and with the boat up there already, I think it would make sense to make the most of the trip home, and if we use too much time bringing the boat home, we shoot for heading to the Bahamas later in the year.
 
Sadler said:
This is sounding better all the time. In all, we'd have three weeks to boat--that's the time I blocked out at work to be gone--originally for a Bahamas trip. With the great places described here to visit on the way home, and with the boat up there already, I think it would make sense to make the most of the trip home, and if we use too much time bringing the boat home, we shoot for heading to the Bahamas later in the year.
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If you have three weeks, do the trip!!! I purchased a previous boat on the west side of FL (Ft. Meyers) and had to make it back to Annapolis in six days...was the most stressful (had to run 12+hr days in whatever weather was infront of me - ICW is no fun at night!) yet the most exciting and rewarding week of my life!

If you have three weeks to do your trip, it has all the potential to be nothing but the most exciting and rewarding three weeks of yours :grin:

Also, I just purchased my Sea Ray and brought her home three weeks ago from the tip of Long Island (Greenport) through Cape May up the DE Bay, through the C&D, and down the Chesapeake to Annpolois area - the trip was a piece of cake! The ~300 miles or so only took a day and a half, we averaged 27-28knots. If you choose the Chesapeake route and have three weeks you'll have a week to spare at 700miles even if you only cover 50miles a day - which will be a piece of cake with the boat your looking at.

Let us know if what you decide. All the best to you and your upcoming boat!
 
Just to give an update: From Dominic's insightful suggestion, Frank W has graciously offered to step in and help this lamb avoid the slaughter. Talk about a secret weapon....Frank is da Man! Thank you Frank! Anyway, I'm working hard now, reinvigorated by Frank's excellent experience and judgment.

From Frank's suggestions, my search has broadened a bit, and the NJ boat may be the final result, but it's too soon to say. I've still got my sights set on a 420DA if at all possible, but we shall see.

I think this thread has been a great help to me. With such generous offers of help and information, how could I not get this boat home? Whatever happens, I must make a cruise up to the Barnegat Bay area and all the great places in between one day soon.

Thanks again everyone,

Sadler
 
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