How hard? Barnegat Bay, NJ to Charleston

If I may offer a differing point of view, I would opt to ship the boat. The reason is simple... you personally will have zero seat time in this new boat with zero experience on the maintenance side as well. I would feel more comfortable running the boat on familiar waters to gain some experience at the helm and build confidence in the vesell. I don't care how new the boat is or how well it surveyed, things happen! When things happen some 700 miles away from home, that doesn't sit too well with me.

My advice - Ship the boat home, go over the entire boat yourself or with a mechanic, gain some seat time in familiar water on the weekends, then take the boat out on a 700 mile trip.

Doug
 
As Bob Bitchin says (Lats & Atts magazine)....The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is ATTITUDE! Create an adventure you will never forget! Take the water highway! Good luck. Great thread and reading. Keep us posted.
 
As Bob Bitchin says (Lats & Atts magazine)....The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is ATTITUDE!


:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
As Bob Bitchin says (Lats & Atts magazine)....The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is ATTITUDE! Create an adventure you will never forget! Take the water highway! Good luck. Great thread and reading. Keep us posted.

Tell that to the wife... :smt043:smt043

Doug
 
Tell that to the wife... :smt043:smt043

Doug

Except for possibly select parts of the trip, the Admiral will be home with my daughter, since my daughter has school until Spring Break. The bulk of the trip would be with a friend who's an experienced power and sail boater (though not on a 420da) and his wife (both retired), so the wife factor would be mostly if not completely eliminated. The plan would be to schedule a not so "adventurous" trip with my wife and daughter later, after we likely got into familiar waters.
 
My guess is that you will have plenty of friends along the way in the unlikely event you will need help to get back home. If you decide to do it, I will be glad to give you my phone number if help is required. Also, get a broadband card for the laptop so we can share in the adventure.

-John
 
My guess is that you will have plenty of friends along the way in the unlikely event you will need help to get back home. If you decide to do it, I will be glad to give you my phone number if help is required. Also, get a broadband card for the laptop so we can share in the adventure.

-John

John,

Thanks so much for the offer of help. I may take you up on it! And, good suggestion on the card. I've already got a Verizon Broadband Rev A card, and I plan to try my best to keep a regular blog with lots of photos along the way, whether it be cruising from Barnegat Bay home, or doing the original cruise from Charleston to the Bahamas. I'll also post some updates and pics on CSR periodically.

Sadler
 
I bought a 97 400DA last year in St Aug Fl and moved it to NJ as I did not have the time for the trip and I was a little concerned about moving up from my 30DA as the boat is huge. The trailer move was less then ideal as the boat was covered in diesel spots which took a few days to clean up and get the boat back to pre-shipped condition. But the boat was transported backwards with the arch on (you must use different roads for the high clearance) which took a few more hours in transport.

As for your plans and moving up in size, the 420 will be an easy move. After a few hours with the big boat, you will find you can't even drive your smaller boat. You should find your new boat will be easier to handle...and the white knuckles will reduce after a few dock landings. My boat was sitting for a year due to owner issues, but with new filters, oil change, etc, it was ready to go. The past season was no issues with Cats/Trans/Props.

I would not hesitate to take your boat down thru the Cheaspeake (also tons of place to see and get any help needed)

Good luck with you trip...Ed
 

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