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No, I haven't disappeared - moving Catalina 25

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 06:08:41

Sten,
I'll be sure to stock up on spices before I go! :) The boat and I are both up in the Philly area, though we're on opposite sides of the city (and there's a better part of an entire state between us, too).

The problem with flying you in (or renting the trailer discussed above, or hiring someone with a trailer) is that the cost comes close to what I'd pay to buy a used trailer. Granted, I'd have to tweak the trailer to get it to work with the boat, but then the marina I'm considering will basically cut in half the winter storage fee. When I combine the two savings (winter storage and the rental/delivery/airfare), I can easily justify the cost of the trailer in just one season.

I've been chatting with others on another forum, and have located someone local who might be willing to come along for at least one day. That would make things a lot easier and more comfortable.

All of this is still hypothetical at this point, though. I am still stuck waiting until tomorrow night (at the earliest) before I know whether I'll be getting the boat or not.

That being said, part of me would rather sail her down. The waters aren't very deep across most of the area I'll be traveling (so a full-fledged sinking isn't a worrisome), and most of the bottom is muck and sand, so except for the occasional "hidden obstruction", I hope not to run into anything TOO solid that will damage the boat (or me). We don't typically get big waves in the bays, either, so things should be a little more manageable. Plus, once I get her to the marina, I'll still have a few weekends in which to play before the marina wants the boats out of the water. By contrast, if I put her on the trailer, she'll probably stay there until next season. Some of the trailers I've found are not meant for the boat to be water launchable.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:02:52

One other suggestion, Jim... I'm hoping you don't have to be in Ocean City Sunday evening. No voyage like this should be planned with a wall-to-wall schedule, especially on a boat you're not familiar with. Cross Monday and Tuesday off your calendar in case you need to wait for some weather along the way, or have engine trouble, or whatever--then you'll be more likely to have an uneventful 2-day trip.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:25:35

Sounds like a good plan. By staying in the ICW all the way, you eliminate potential hazard, and it only costs you about 5 miles, which only adds perhaps an hour. It's a smart trade-off, especially with an unfamiliar boat.

I'll help you sail the boat, if you can find a reasonably secure place for me to park my car during the trip (it's full of boat stuff, etc. Maybe I could park it in your driveway before we go to the boat.).

You need paper charts for the area, a gps would be good. (I have an inexpensive, battery powered one that should still work, although I haven't tested it in a long time.) Binoculars would be useful (I have some, if you don't.) and a hand-bearing compass might be helpful, but probably not essential. You should also have a powerful handheld spotlight, in case we have to move the boat at night. You definitely should have some kind of foul weather gear. Not knowing what equipment is on the boat, I'd suggest you bring 100' of 3/8" nylon line. (Sometimes a small transient boat gets assigned a slip big enough for a 40' boat. Extra line might come in handy.) I trust the boat has an adequate anchor and line, and you should have a good fire extinguisher (esp. since you'll be carrying extra fuel.) You should be sure the house battery is in good working order, because you'll probably need running lights along the way. On my C25, I would have carried 6 gals. of gas for a trip like this in it's tank, and 5 gals in a can. That should be enough so that you won't have to stop for fuel other than when you stop for the night.

I'm 69 years old and retired, an avid racer, and have sailed a C&C 35 on the Chesapeake Bay for about 10 years. Before that, I raced and sailed a C25 in Indiana for 23 years. I have cruised the Florida Gulf Coast and elsewhere many times in my own boat and chartered boats.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:43:19

Steve, thanks for the offer! Where do you live? I'm over near Lansdale, PA.

I have 2 pieces of 75', 3/8" polyester line. Is there a difference between poly and nylon for these purposes? No objection to getting the poly line, just have to find a local source for it.

The battery was just replaced by the seller, so it should be OK. I didn't pay enough attention to the size of the gas tank onboard the boat, but I can ask the seller. My guesstimate was that it was about 6 gal, and the plan was to bring my spare 5 gal full of gas.

Fire extinguisher is a good idea. I have printed out the local charts, but would like to find a place to buy a more "appropraite" version. The local West Marine is about 45 minutes away and closes too early to get there during the week. The boat comes with a GPS, though I'm not sure how to use it (yet) so I am not counting on relying on it.

I don't have a handheld spotlight. Flashlights, yes, but not a spotlight.

Edited by - on

Justincase
1st Mate

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Canada
49 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:47:20

Here is a pic of our SK on a roller trailer

Justin

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:49:31

From what I read here: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/21.htm, poly should be OK for the purposes of moving the boat, but longer term I'll need to switch to nylon.

Jusin, thanks for the picture!

Edited by - JimGo on 09/28/2011 07:49:47

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 07:54:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 Sounds like a good plan. By staying in the ICW all the way, you eliminate potential hazard, and it only costs you about 5 miles, which only adds perhaps an hour. It's a smart trade-off, especially with an unfamiliar boat.

I'll help you sail the boat, if you can find a reasonably secure place for me to park my car during the trip (it's full of boat stuff, etc. Maybe I could park it in your driveway before we go to the boat.).

You need paper charts for the area, a gps would be good. (I have an inexpensive, battery powered one that should still work, although I haven't tested it in a long time.) Binoculars would be useful (I have some, if you don't.) and a hand-bearing compass might be helpful, but probably not essential. You should also have a powerful handheld spotlight, in case we have to move the boat at night. You definitely should have some kind of foul weather gear. Not knowing what equipment is on the boat, I'd suggest you bring 100' of 3/8" nylon line. (Sometimes a small transient boat gets assigned a slip big enough for a 40' boat. Extra line might come in handy.) I trust the boat has an adequate anchor and line, and you should have a good fire extinguisher (esp. since you'll be carrying extra fuel.) You should be sure the house battery is in good working order, because you'll probably need running lights along the way. On my C25, I would have carried 6 gals. of gas for a trip like this in it's tank, and 5 gals in a can. That should be enough so that you won't have to stop for fuel other than when you stop for the night.

I'm 69 years old and retired, an avid racer, and have sailed a C&C 35 on the Chesapeake Bay for about 10 years. Before that, I raced and sailed a C25 in Indiana for 23 years. I have cruised the Florida Gulf Coast and elsewhere many times in my own boat and chartered boats.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Looks like we have a winner! And he doesn't drink that much!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 08:59:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 Steve, thanks for the offer! Where do you live? I'm over near Lansdale, PA.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> During the summer, I live on my boat, near Prince Frederick, MD, about 3.5 - 4 hrs from Lansdale. When it gets cold, I'll go home to Ohio.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I have 2 pieces of 75', 3/8" polyester line. Is there a difference between poly and nylon for these purposes? No objection to getting the poly line, just have to find a local source for it. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Unlike nylon, poly line doesn't stretch appreciably, so, if you use it for dock lines, every time it becomes taut, it sounds like someone is beating a bass drum inside the boat. Also, poly line deteriorates in the sun much faster than nylon. For my part, I can live with it for a night, but one thing we sailors never seem to have enough of is line, so, I'm sure you'll find plenty of uses for 100' of 3/8" nylon 3-strand line. If the docklines that come with the boat need to be replaced, which is about a 40-50% probability, that alone will require about 4 lines @ 12' each, plus a spring line at about 15-18', so that alone will use up over 60'. You can get 3/8" nylon 3-strand line at Lowes or Home Depot, or Walmart, etc.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The battery was just replaced by the seller, so it should be OK. I didn't pay enough attention to the size of the gas tank onboard the boat, but I can ask the seller. My guesstimate was that it was about 6 gal, and the plan was to bring my spare 5 gal full of gas.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Sounds good.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Fire extinguisher is a good idea. I have printed out the local charts, but would like to find a place to buy a more "appropraite" version. The local West Marine is about 45 minutes away and closes too early to get there during the week. The boat comes with a GPS, though I'm not sure how to use it (yet) so I am not counting on relying on it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> It's too late to get charts by mail order. Maybe a friend has a chartbook or a cruising guide for the area that you can borrow. If not, we might have to make do with what you have. You can download charts from NOAA. I don't know whether you can print them to a usable size. It's possible that a public library might have a cruising guide to the area.

Re: the GPS, be sure to ask the seller to furnish you the owner's manual for it, along with any other documentation for it. I can probably help you learn to use it to some extent. (You should also ask for the owner's manual for the outboard engine as well as any similar equipment, if he has them.)

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 09:36:54

I think you're in great shape with Steve aboard. Lets hope the deal goes through.

edit: Adding the afore mentioned redhead named Pepper wouldn't hurt either.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/28/2011 09:38:46

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 09:44:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 Adding the afore mentioned redhead named Pepper wouldn't hurt either.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...and Pepper's mother, if she's about my age.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 11:25:36

OK, I'll return the poly and grab some nylon. :)

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 12:29:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 Adding the afore mentioned redhead named Pepper wouldn't hurt either.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...and Pepper's mother, if she's about my age.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is starting to sound like the porn vid I just downloaded. Sure, just google sailing porn videos and I think that one comes up. The guy that plays Steve is called Captain Stabbin.

no name

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 12:38:17

Hmmm...I WAS going to send this thread to my wife to make her feel better about the trip.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 12:47:15

Do a search on ebay for dock lines. I got a bundle of four 3/8" 20 ft. 3-strand nylon lines with loops spliced in for about $25-$30. Be a good investment.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 12:51:46

Done. While I'm at it, what would I need for sheets and/or halyard? It might make sense to have some on hand just in case.

Edited by - JimGo on 09/28/2011 12:52:29

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 13:23:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 Done. While I'm at it, what would I need for sheets and/or halyard? It might make sense to have some on hand just in case.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Your halyards and sheets are probably OK for now--they don't take the abuse that mooring lines do. You might have the original wire-to-rope halyards, which you'll probably want to replace some day with all rope (5/16" double-braid), which requires different masthead sheaves, and you might want to go with 3/8" single-braid sheets some day, but that's for another time and thread.

The fire extinguisher isn't just a good idea--it's required by law. Make sure you have all USCG-required safety gear--it'd be a shame if you were boarded and fined on your initial delivery trip! (I've been boarded by the Coasties on my first day of the season the last two seasons--taking the boat to her slip after her launch. Luckily, I had put everything aboard.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/28/2011 13:27:05

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 13:46:38

OK, thanks. I'll hold off then until I actually have her.

I'll do some searches when I get home to identify any other USCG-required gear.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 17:04:21

The GPS is a Garmin GPSMap 400 series. sheets are reported to be new.

I need to read up on Lewmar single speed winches.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 18:29:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 I need to read up on Lewmar single speed winches.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Wrap clockwise--that's the only way they turn. Not much more to know. Got a winch handle? If not, I like the floating, locking type (that won't fall off the winch if you leave it there).

If the PO is leaving flares for you, check their expiration dates. [url="http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23163&whichpage=3"]Here's a thread[/url] on Coast Guard requirements for signalling devices. Typically, this stuff is in an orange plastic container, either a cylinder or a little flat case.

I'll heartily recommend that as skipper of a "real boat", you pick up a copy of Chapman Piloting and spend some time with it over the winter. There are answers in there to questions you never knew you had.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/28/2011 18:39:22

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 20:47:56

My wife was kind enough to purchase a few books for me; I'll have to see if that's one of them!

Knowing me, if I don't need a winch handle now, I WILL need one soon, so thanks for the recommendation.

I saw someone make a reference to the number of turns he had on the winch. I don't understand how that makes a difference. Now, whether it's wrapped clockwise or not is another story! :)

I think I'm going to spend more time aboard her on Saturday, going over with the current owner exactly what's "included". Stupid things like fenders may or may not be included, and as a first time buyer those are things I'll need! I'll also look into the flare issue, PFD's (already have them for my boys), the size of the gas tank, and other issues. If it's OK with the guy whose dock it's on, I may wait until next week to move her, so I can get everything in order and figure out if I'll be sailing or trailering her.

Again, thank you to EVERYONE for your patience and gentle (and not so gentle) pointers.

Edited by - JimGo on 09/28/2011 20:52:31

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 21:08:57

I think the extra week is a good idea (if Steve can still do it)--get to know the boat, its idiosyncracies, and its equipment a little before you embark onto the deep blue (or the shallow green as the case may be). Then report back to us with more questions... We're all pulling for you!

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2011 : 21:20:24

The first report will be a yes or no on the boat - hopefully I'll have that in less than 24 hours. I am keeping fingers, toes, knees, and every other appendage crossed! Then I'll have a lot of phone calls to make, to see if I can find a trailer in my target price range, to make sure the marina can handle the boat (and firm up my "place" there, whether it's a dock for a few weeks, immediately onto blocks, or on the trailer), to firm up plans for the "overnight" marina, etc.

I also caught up with a friend who used to teach sailing up in Long Island. He's down in the DC area now, but may actually be in the greater Philly region over the next few weekends. I've asked if he'd be willing to join me, so that Steve isn't subjected to two full days of being within 25' of me at all times. From what I can tell from my wife and kids, that can be a bit intense! (kidding, kind of) Steve, I haven't heard back from him, and he has a weird schedule such that he may not be able to make it, so for now, if you are available, I'm still very interested in taking you up on your offer. I was also afraid that last-minute notice (i.e., possibly not until some time Friday morning) might not be enough time for you to get all your "stuff" together for the trip anyway. Once I know what's happening with the boat and have had a chance to look her over again, I'll get in touch with you via PM to firm things up. Are you free toward the end of the week next week (say, Thursday or Friday)? That might also be an option for me, if I can sneak away from work. That would further reduce the likelihood of problems with traffic, too, and give us a few days cushion just in case something goes wrong. With all the contingency planning, I'm confident that we'll actually be in Ocean City in one day!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2011 : 04:04:04

I'm only able to go this weekend. The following weekend is the Annapolis Sailboat Show, and I plan to buy some hardware there (hopefully at a respectable discount). The later you wait in the season, the greater the chance of a cold snap, which could make it an unpleasant 2 days.

I'm OK with short notice, sometime Friday morning. It won't take me long at all to pack. I do it all summer for various overnight races.

If you want to spend some time going over things with the seller on Saturday, and move the boat on Sunday and Monday, I can do that as well, as long as you can get off work on Monday. I race again next Wednesday, and would like to be back in time for that. (After a season of poor finishes, we finally had the boat "dialed in" and the crew coordinated last night, and I want to be there next week to make sure it wasn't a fluke. The undisputed boat-to-beat in the race is a Hobie 33 monohull, and we were within a little over a boat length of her last night, two tacks from the finish.)

I think I have found a cruising guide for New Jersey that I can borrow, but I have to drive a bit to get it this afternoon (Thursday), and would like to know if we're likely to make this trip this weekend (assuming the deal goes through), before I drive that far.

If your GPS is a chartplotter, and has the chip with the charts for New Jersey, then we can get by without paper charts, since it's all ICW.

I realize you might not be able to give me the answers, because the decision of the owner, and other factors, are beyond your control, but just do the best you can. Don't let the stress of the situation get you down. If you make the deal, we can get the boat to your destination, and my schedule is flexible this weekend and the first part of next week.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2011 : 06:00:53

Wow, you get up early!

Thanks for the notes about your schedule. It looks like yours is roughly complimentary to my friend's; that is, if one can't make it, the other might.

I found someone with charts of Barnetgat and Great Bay, and may see about sneaking out of work early today to get a "real" chart book/cruising guide for the NJ area.

It's funny, when I stop and think about how much "stuff" that may or may not be there, I can't help but laugh. Stupid stuff, like boat poles and bumpers. Hate to go buy them if I won't need to, but at the same time, I hate to not have them! So, for now I think the best plan is to pay for the boat on Saturday, get the title, etc., and see if I can coerce the seller into taking my family and me for a short sail to test her out (perhaps in the opposite order!). Once that's done, I can discuss with the seller exactly what is mine, and what he'll be taking - I know the big stuff (engine, sails, GPS, etc.) comes with the boat, but it's all the little things (dock lines) that will be important. It will also give the USPS time to deliver the four docklines I ordered, which should be shipping today. Steve, if they come in in time, you shouldn't be subject to the bass drum while you sleep.

The GPS does appear to be a chart plotter. I'm not sure what chips it has, but I would assume that, since they sailed in NJ, they probably had the chip for that area. I'll poke around the Garmin site and see what I can find.

Oh, and the engine is a Honda 4 stroke, 8HP. Are the Honda engines decent? I keep seeing discussions/recommendations for Tohatsu and Nissan.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2011 : 06:39:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 ...the engine is a Honda 4 stroke, 8HP. Are the Honda engines decent? I keep seeing discussions/recommendations for Tohatsu and Nissan.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's because they're cheaper and lighter (depending on the vintage of the Honda). My electric start, auto choke, high-thrust extra-long Honda 8 was wonderful, although heavy. I got a yard guy with a forklift to help me get it on and off the bracket each year (with the boat on stands).

Edited by - on

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