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Nuts To Tow For 40 Hours

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sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2012 : 11:31:17

I've been thinking/researching about towing my Cat 25 SK from Virginia to Key West, launching from a marina there and sailing around in the national parks down there for a couple of weeks, and then towing back home.

I've compared cost/hassle of towing to buying/upgrading/storing and hassle of a second boat to leave down there. So far everything is in favor of towing.

Question is: Is it nuts to consider towing a Cat 25 for a 40 round trip? What are your thoughts please?

Seth
"Outlier" 1987 Catalina 25 SR/SK/Traditional Interior #5541
"Zoo" 1977 Morgan Out Island 30
"Nomad" 1980 Prindle 16
"Lost" 1988 Catalina Capri 14.2 (sold - yay!)
"Marine Tex 1" Unknown Origin POS 8' Fiberglass Dinghy
https://whichsailboat.com/2014/07/27/catalina-25-review/

Edited by - sethp001 on 05/21/2012 11:33:19

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 12:11:52

What about chartering a boat down there? You're going to spend the better part of $1k just in fuel to tow down there & back (guesstimate of 2400 miles @ $4/gallon @ 11 MPG). I'd think it'd be cheaper to fly down & charter, or at least much less hassle. Of course you don't get to sail your own boat, but you don't have to tow it for a couple of days in both directions either.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 12:22:53

I think if I had a vehicle and a trailer capable of handling the trip without issues and the money to cover the gas I would be all over that.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 12:36:04

How many folks are going on this adventure? If its you & the wife, then towing would make sense. If you are more than a family of 2 I would think about the charter.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 12:37:24

Maybe you could drive to BritinUSA's place and take his boat to the Key's??? Wasn't that nice of me to volunteer Paul's boat?

Edited by - on

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 12:56:42

Thanks for the reply David. I forgot to include chartering as one of the options I considered/researched. I have an obscene number of children (5) so I discovered I would have to charter a much larger and more expensive boat to comply with max persons allowed limitations on the charters. The cost of a larger boat for 2-3 weeks would pay for a whole other boat plus storage in the Keys.

In case you were wondering, yes, the entire family stays on our Cat 25 in relative comfort (low standards).

Seth

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 What about chartering a boat down there? You're going to spend the better part of $1k just in fuel to tow down there & back (guesstimate of 2400 miles @ $4/gallon @ 11 MPG). I'd think it'd be cheaper to fly down & charter, or at least much less hassle. Of course you don't get to sail your own boat, but you don't have to tow it for a couple of days in both directions either.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 13:24:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I've compared cost/hassle of towing to buying/upgrading/storing and hassle of a second boat to leave down there.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Have you found economical storage in Key West? I think you might find it in the middle or upper keys, but Key West? Is this a one time event or do you plan to do it often?

I also have given thought to having a second boat in the Keys. A solid hull with good spars and standing rigging. Then just bring the motor and sails, woo-hoo, keys here we come....

Here you could start with this...$750.00
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/3003324559.html

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 13:55:27

That's less than the fuel cost to tow down there. Wonder what kind of shape the boat's in.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 14:05:47

I tow to FL every winter, but it"s only 850 mi. Towing a C-25 is not really a hassle, it just takes a little longer. I would consider 2 weeks on site a minimum for me on a tow that far. It is cheaper and, to me, nicer to stay in the Middle Keys area and do a day trip or two to KW. I loved KW 40 years ago, but it is more gentrified, orchestrated and touristy every time I go back. It still has a faint undercurrent of its past, but it is silting in with money. None of the keys except Bahia Honda are what they were, but I guess that is progress. I better quit before I make this a real grumpy old man's lament.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 17:38:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I've compared cost/hassle of towing to buying/upgrading/storing and hassle of a second boat to leave down there.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Have you found economical storage in Key West? I think you might find it in the middle or upper keys, but Key West? Is this a one time event or do you plan to do it often?

I also have given thought to having a second boat in the Keys. A solid hull with good spars and standing rigging. Then just bring the motor and sails, woo-hoo, keys here we come....

Here you could start with this...$750.00
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/3003324559.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Anybody else notice the part that said "No Title" in the ad?

Edited by - John Russell on 05/21/2012 17:41:38

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 17:51:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I've compared cost/hassle of towing to buying/upgrading/storing and hassle of a second boat to leave down there.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Have you found economical storage in Key West? I think you might find it in the middle or upper keys, but Key West? Is this a one time event or do you plan to do it often?

I also have given thought to having a second boat in the Keys. A solid hull with good spars and standing rigging. Then just bring the motor and sails, woo-hoo, keys here we come....

Edited by - on

WesAllen
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 18:54:32

I tow my 82 C25 to Florida (Ft Myers/Cape Coral) every year for 4 to 6 weeks. I like having my own boat there. I can pack it up here in Michigan and when I get down there its just a quick wash job and ready to go. (1400 miles and MUST have a good trailer to enjoy the trip)

Wes

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2012 : 21:31:17

I'd buy the Treasure Island Boat and sail/drive it south on the iCW and on the outside... Treasure Island is near St. Pete. I might be able to look at her for you...

Sten

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 04:19:25

I know nothign about these guys, but if you want to "base camp" they have cottages that include a Compac-23 for $1800/wk.

http://www.flakeyscottage.com/rates.html

Edited by - Prospector on 05/22/2012 04:19:45

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 05:06:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Anybody else notice the part that said "No Title" in the ad?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Geeeesh, wadda ya expect for 750.........

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 11:04:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by WesAllen
 I tow my 82 C25 to Florida (Ft Myers/Cape Coral) every year for 4 to 6 weeks. I like having my own boat there. I can pack it up here in Michigan and when I get down there its just a quick wash job and ready to go. (1400 miles and MUST have a good trailer to enjoy the trip)

Wes
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It’s been a few years but I have also trailered from Michigan to Key West. Wes is correct about having a good trailer, and I would add a good tow vehicle to that list. I have chartered boats before, but find it nice to have your own if you can. Good luck _/) Glen

Edited by - on

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 16:49:23

Thanks for all the replies you guys.

Davy J, I called a marina (can't remember which one - it's on a sticky note at the office) in Key West for pricing on slips/dry storage.

They will let you store a boat on a trailer for $175 a month, which for my budget is more than I would want to spend.

They will also let you use their boat ramp and store your truck and trailer for $75 a week. For 2-3 weeks, that would fit my budget.

Their slips are outrageous. A Cat 25 would cost nearly $700 a month. That includes power, sewage, and use of their bathroom facilities, so perhaps that price is aimed at liveaboards.

I've heard moorings are cheaper in a municipal marina area, but that there is a waiting list. I don't have any definite details about that cost yet.

All of that pricing reinforces the cost effectiveness of trailering.

That boat for $750 is amazing - maybe it lost its keel. But at that price, I'd be tempted to skip a survey, especially with Sten volunteering to check it out.

Dave B, your towing is not that much less than mine. I'd be about 1000 miles for me.

Wes, your annual towing is more than mine. So I can do it! I imagine the kids playing in the shallow water during the day and anchoring off the islands at night (they're day use only) and saving a pile on nightly accommodations (even camping on Key West is relatively expensive at $60 a night).

Anybody know of cheap moorings or slips anywhere in the Keys where I might put that $750 boat?

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 19:46:06

Anybody know if that $750 boat is a fin or swing keel?

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2012 : 21:10:04

If it were me, I'd buy a lot of chain and a couple of hooks and use the anchorage/s... Right behind Wisteria Island is good.

Get an inspection sticker and leave it, with a cruiser/loser/liveaboard watching out for it for beer money with the understanding that during a declared hurrican or similar that the vessel is to be hauled and the beer guzzling neighbor will move it too a yard or use Tow Boat US. Then you drive or fly in and you are off whenever you want, including wintah!!!n If you lose the boat, eh?

Moorings are about $300 a month. If on a trailer, I would suggest a storage place a bit north of Marathon. Starts to get cheaper or so I have heard and simply rent a parking spot.

Good luck!

sten

Edited by - redviking on 05/22/2012 21:15:35

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2012 : 06:48:39

What's your tow vehicle? You know that if we don't approve of it, you'll have to put another big number in your equation...

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sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2012 : 08:28:00

I plan to use my 1977 Ford Pinto.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 What's your tow vehicle? You know that if we don't approve of it, you'll have to put another big number in your equation...

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2012 : 09:30:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sethp001
 I plan to use my 1977 Ford Pinto.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

PERFECT for when the boat rams into the back on a sudden stop! :O)

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2012 : 09:34:55

I just have to add...

I'd rather be called nuts for towing 40 hours than tow my nuts for 40 hours.

(Been thinking that ever since the thread was started)

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2012 : 13:06:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sethp001
 I plan to use my 1977 Ford Pinto.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Pull the sails up on the Catalina and it can tow the Pinto!

Edited by - on

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