on water delivery from wilmington, NC to Jacksnville, FL

P

papertrail

New Member
May 5, 2009
155
jacksonville, FL
Boat Info
2000 290 AJ- SOLD
Engines
5.0 mercruiser BIII
A friend of mine bought a 2005 31 ft Chapparal in Wilmington, NC. He asked me to go with him and drive her back to Jacksonville, fl.
this would be the longest of trip i have ever done. Never boated north of Florida. Is this a trip two limited experienced boaters should do?:huh:

advice welcome.

PS:I have been a member of this site for a while, but my login wasnt recognized. I gave up and created a new one.
 
Look - if you're staying within sight of land, and your buddy is an apt captain that has access to VHF, Radar, GPS, weather reports, and the like, then absolutely you should.

This sounds like a fun trip and something that would definitely either make you two the best of friends, or make you realize what a jerk one another were this whole time, but you were never given the opportunity to discover ;-)

If he has a well thought out plan, it sounds like a great time and a hell of a story to tell one day. And if it all goes to pot, as some well thought out plans are wont to do, you swim for shore ;-)

Just promise that you keep a diary of the journey if you do go - I bet it would be a great read.
 
I would have to say I side with Dave on this, The ICW is not as straight forward as you would think, for a novice. There are sections of the ICW this year that are under construction, this means open water traveling and having to return to the ICW through an unfamilier inlet (not allways that easy or safe). Not to mention that you will have to be selective on the days you go on the outside, you only have 31 ft. and 10K pounds of fiberglass under you (and it is a Chapparal....).

As to endurence, this will be limited by many factors, fuel, weather, and your comfort to name a few. In that boat I will say that 150 to 200 miles a day would be a good goal.
 
One of the questions asked bothers me some........How many miles a day?

Taking a new/old boat you are not familiar with on a long trip thru unknown waters, in an area with a lot of new and different marine features (markers, bouys, locks, passes, inlets, channels, dredging, commercial traffic, etc.) adds up to a trip where you cannot rush a schedule and be safe. Setting a schedule or "getting back to work on Monday" will make you rush decisions that can be both costly and dangerous.

But if you are experienced and know what you are doing on the water and know the boat, you can make good time......a friend and I, both with 20+ years in boats over 40 ft., took a 50 convertible from West Palm Beach across the Okechobee waterway and up to Boca Grand (about 400 miles) in 16 hours, then from Boca to Destin FL the next day, another 16 hours. But, we had an excellent weather window, the boat ran flawlessly and with 2 of us running the boat, we never pulled the throttles back except to shut down for the night or to buy fuel.

If you are ok with your knowledge and experience, can get past the "I have to be there by Sunday" and if you can rely on your partner, you will learn a whole lot on an extended trip like this. If your partner is a guy who is all talk, but little or no action and can't or won't deliver on his end, then this is going to the the longest trip of your life.
 
The Rock Pile just north of Myrtle Beach can be a boat catcher. The section thru Myrtle Beach is going to be slow go for you as it is nothing but a canal with boats anchored on both sides.

South of that area to Georgetown you need to be on your toes looking for deadheads just under the water. The area is very pretty but stay on your toes. Clearing the enclosed waterway into Winyah Bay is hammer down time just pay attention to your fuel gage as there is no more until about Charleston. You also want to make a hard southerly turn to starboard at the marker unless you are going outside.

The run to Charleston is very senic and straight forward with lots of pots to watch for. Also cut the little boats a break and do not wake them. Charleston is a great place. As you come around Sullivans Island watch the channel or call the prop guy. Plenty of fuel here and you will need it to make the next easy fuel stop. Idle all the way thru Elliotts cut unless you want a ticket. The current can be extermely quick thru here at high and low tide. Plan ahead.

The stretch down to Buford is very shallow and has lots of shoaling. The buoys are always being moved around. It would be best to do this at High Tide. So plan ahead. Hilton Head is a long days run from Charleston and I know nothing past that.

Fairly easy trip but you need to pay attention and plan ahead. Search my posts for several trips in this area.

Have fun, plan ahead, and take your time. It can be done.
 
It can be done but as Frank said don't push it....that's when you will make mistakes. Spend a day before you leave learning the boat and make a list of things that might fail like belts and hoses...take spares and the RIGHT tools. Check in often with your family and let them know where you are and when you expect to contact them next. Use the GPS but have recent charts of the area also.

Remember...when it comes to boating, Murphy was an optimist.:thumbsup:
 
Here are my two cents on the matter: Yes, do the trip with your friend though hire a certified delivery captain to go with you. Many reasons to do this the most important is that he is very knowledgeable of all of the local waterways to include the inlets and will be well versed in pre trip planning as well as navigation and able to handle to a degree any mishap that may present itself. The cost is minimal. Usually runs $150 - $200 a day + food / lodging if you are unable to sleep on the boat. The capt will run sun up to sun down unless otherwise indicated and will be the greatest teacher the two of you could have. Just think, safe delivery of the boat with private lessons on seamanship.

Take it from me. I bought my boat in Rochester, NY (Lake Ontario) and cruised her all the way to Northern VA on the Potomac River. Greatest trip I have ever had and hired a capt who is a great friend now and taught me so many things I thought I had the knowledge of after boating for nearly 30 years. The greatest thing he would say is that he touched the wheel only 3 times, the rest I had full control.
 
It looks as though we are going forward with this trip. There will be 3 of us on board. great advice here thanks.
We plan to take as long as it takes, but would like to do it in 4 days.

Here is some additional info:
raymarine c-70 w/ navionics premium chip
radar
147 gallon gas tank
planning on about 150 miles per day weather permitting

Leaving first light Saturday may 16th. :smt038
 
If you opt not to hire a delivery captain then by all means file a float plan with your coast guard auxiliary as well as with your wives. The USCGA can assist the pre departure checks as well as a helping guide with your charting. All free of charge (most cases).

Either way, have fun and remember a cool head and calm sprits will get you further along than that of irrational emotions.
 
I have made the trip many times to Hilton Head from Ct, the best advice yet is the Capt. My first trip from Hilton Head north was with a lic.capt. familiar with the local waters(icw). Cape Fear, rock pile, shallows,confusing markers. I can make Hilton Head in 1 day from Wrightsville beach on the ocean, but I have the range with diesels. Its going to be 2 days on the icw. The water is tricky leaving Hilton Head to the ocean, dont take any short cuts. I have not been further than Georgia. Stay in the middle, mind the barges and talk with them ch 13. you do have redundant vhf and gps dont you?
 
Just my 2 cents....150 miles a day is pretty agressive for going through the intercoastal (the no wakes kill you average MPH). Plus, I would be more concerned about stressing a boat that you are not familiar with and haven't had a couple of outings to "shake it out"

....but sometimes you just got to say "What the Heck" and go for it.:thumbsup:

Good Luck!!! Let us know how your trip goes!

PS - Be sure you have some BOATUS or SEATOW unlimited towing insurance. You have a good chance of needing it!
 
I am going on record to suggest that you don't want to make 150 miles per day. Take it easy and get what ever you get. If you get 150...great if you get 75... great. Don't try to make a marathon out of the trip...it will wear you out mentaly and physicaly.:thumbsup:
 
You are cutting it close but I wouldn't go out without an EPIRB. You could be 2 miles off shore when something happens and the current could carry you god knows where.
I don't want to be the doomsday guy but it never hurts to be to safe.
Jack
 
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