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 Gulf to Chesapeake....
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Megsskipper
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/30/2006 :  22:03:49  Show Profile
Almost Happy New Year to Everyone!

This is Megskipper's wife (aka- The Admiral). I need some assistance and this is my first ever post so please be kind.

We want (and potentially need) a 30' Catalina. Too many kids, dogs, etc. We are checking out a boat on the gulf side of Florida. We sail the Southern Chesapeake.

Is this possible? Can I get across Florida via the canals?

I think we can do it in a month. Can I win this one or should I concede graciously?

Thank you!


Michael & Alison
'79 Catalina 25 FK/SR # 1203

Edited by - Megsskipper on 12/30/2006 22:23:55

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  05:56:58  Show Profile
Alison, I'm no Floridian, but I don't think there is a cross-Florida canal. The long-proposed Florida Barge Canal was never completed, and was cancelled in 1971 (according to the infallible Internet).

There are literally hundreds of C30s for sale out there, so finding one closer to home shouldn't be too difficult.

Good luck!

Brooke

Edited by - Brooke Willson on 12/31/2006 05:57:24
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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  07:57:03  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
Alison,

I think there is an inland water route across south Florida, but I question whether a C30 would fit. Gulf of Mexico to Chesapeake Bay seems like it would be within the capabilities of a well prepared C30 sailed by an experienced crew in good weather with plenty of time and money on their hands. On the other hand, as a hurried shake down cruise on an unfamiliar boat in questionable condition, it could turn into an ambitious 'adventure.' When I picked up my badly neglected C-25, I sailed it about 200 miles home along the east coast of Florida. I had a good time, but the trip as a whole fit into the humorous misadventure category.

I suggest you take into consideration Brooke W's point about the number of similar boats on the market vs. the distance between you and this one. If this particular boat is for some reason way more appealing, and you have an insatiable thirst for nautical adventure, it might be worth the trip. Otherwise, weigh the potential inconvenience (an unknown unknown, as Rummy would say) against continuing to shop closer to home.

-- Leon Sisson

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  08:49:21  Show Profile
This might be what you are looking for:

Located in central and southern Florida, the 451,000 acre lake and 154 mile long waterway extend from the Atlantic Ocean at Stuart, to the Gulf of Mexico at Ft. Meyers. The waterway runs through Lake Okeechobee and consists of the Caloosahatchee River to the west of the lake and the St. Lucie Canal east of the lake.

[url="http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/sfoo/index.html"]Across Florida[/url]

Few years old, but might be helpful;


[url="http://www.takehersailing.com/articles/FL_Okeechobee.htm"]May 2003[/url]

Edited by - existentialsailor on 12/31/2006 09:21:29
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  10:09:45  Show Profile
Have you been here yet? http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/advancedSearch.jsp

Choose your options for price, mfg length, where located... etc.
Apologies if you've already used it.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  10:37:08  Show Profile
What Rick said.

I've never done it, but have some friends who crossed Florida via the waterways. They said it involved many hours of motoring, and a lot of the scenery was uninteresting, and you need insect screens for nightime. That being said, it nevertheless cuts off a great deal of time from the time it would otherwise take to sail south and around the Keys. The people in Rick's link seem to have enjoyed it, and I think it would be reasonably pleasant, although I personally don't enjoy motoring.

Leon's suggestion that you look closer to home for a boat is a good one. You can find every kind and size of boat in every price range on the Chesapeake Bay.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  11:36:16  Show Profile
Another question you should ask yourself.

Would your (new to you) boat be mechanically sound enough to make a long journey like that?

Not knowing the true condition of the boat could lead to some expensive surprises along the way(i.e. break downs, etc.) Also consider the cost of outfitting your boat with the gear you would need to make the trip and the cost involved in a month long trip.

But there is another option you may want to consider. If the boat deal is to good to pass up and the trip sounds a little more than you want to do. There are many companies out there that will truck your boat on a tractor trailer. This of course will cost you but at least you know upfront what your cost will be. Its those little surprises that may pop up along the way in a unfamiliar boat that would concern me.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 12/31/2006 11:37:28
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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  12:57:27  Show Profile
Well, I'll be. I googled florida and canal, and got the history of the abandoned barge canal. It's pretty neat that there's a shortcut across the state.

On the other hand, I still think findng a C30 closer to home would make more sense. Even if you took the shortcut across Florida, you'd still have a long trip up the ICW to the Chesapeake. I wouldn't want to take a C30 around Hatteras.

yachtworld.com is my favorite "porn" site. As Clam suggests, use the advanced search to find a boat close to home.

Brooke

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  13:52:52  Show Profile
The trip you are contemplating was done in reverse by a neighbor about 2 months ago in a 41 foot power boat. They took 6 weeks and had a wonderful time. The Okeechobee Waterway is used by hundreds of boats each season with no problems, plenty of stop over places for fuel, food and even lodging. There is a lift type railroad bridge at Port Mayaca that has a 47 ft clearance when up, this stops most larger sailboats but I think a C30 will just make it. When I brought my H32 to the West Coast a few years ago I had to go around thru the keys, Hawk Channel from Miami to Channel Five bridge north of Marathon and across Florida Bay. If you decide to do this, spend a lot of time reading and you will be OK. One good book is an annual called Southern Waterway Guide. Good Luck and even if you don't do it, you will have fun reading about it. Bob

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Megsskipper
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2006 :  18:20:53  Show Profile
Thank you so much for the great info!

We are definitely checking into all available C30s, but we are a tough couple to please... if its not the engine, the sails, the electronics... then its the salon layout, the cushions (and when it comes to boats- size and cushions do matter!).

I am intrigued by the prospect of this journey, but the more logical aspect of my brain does lead me to a more local boat. I will be certain to update with any progress or decisions!

One afterthought- this forum offers a fantastic wealth of information- thanks again! No wonder my husband is a junkie!

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Captain Bill
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2007 :  21:53:04  Show Profile
Just met a couple this weekend from near Yorktown, Va who bought a 35' three years ago located in Sarasota and took the inland canals across Florida to Vero Beach and up the ICW. The tressel bridge is 50' when open and his mast is 53'. There is a local who can get you under the tressel by tilting your boat for a $200 fee. Also there is a publication which includes anchorages, etc. which you will need if you make the trip. He made the trip in April and avoided the 'skeeters. He eventually had engine trouble near Jekell Is, Ga. and trucked it in from there. He wanted a very specific 35' boat built for racing (sorry I can't remember the name). It is doable but be prepared to spend two weeks and hope you don't have any difficulties.
Bill

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 :  08:28:04  Show Profile
It sounds like a fun trip in a boat you know well but I would be on edge taking a boat that I had no history with on a trip that long....that being said, I tured a 4 hour easy cruise into a 17 hour ordeal when I pickup my boat. Cheers and good luck....ps, as someone else mentioned, there are a lot of 30s out there and, I assume, closer to home.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 :  09:51:19  Show Profile
If you make the trip, you should consider getting unlimited towing coverage from Tow Boat US. It only costs $120. per year, and they'll tow you for free as many times as you need them, as long as you're in their coverage area. From their website it appears that they cover the entire area from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay. They not only cover your own boat, but also any boat you're on. Last year, I had unlimited coverage, and didn't need them to tow my boat, but was on a friend's boat when it grounded, and they pulled us off at no charge. Without them, it costs about $800., minimum. If you only need them about once every 7 years, you'll get your money's worth. I suspect almost everyone will ground, or have engine trouble, or run out of fuel, or have something similar happen once every 7 years.

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Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2007 :  13:45:08  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Steve Milby</i>
<br />If you make the trip, you should consider getting unlimited towing coverage from Tow Boat US. It only costs $120. per year, and they'll tow you for free as many times as you need them, as long as you're in their coverage area.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Like Captain Ron said, "if it's going to happen it'll happen out there."
Sounds like a fun trip especially if the boat is well prepared and you have time to give it a shakedown cruise in safe waters. Failing that, good communications and towing insurance is a good idea.

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