[SkateCatcher]

I found a boat in FL, below the Indian River Inlet that is almost too good of a deal to pass up. Only issue is its in the water and 31'. That means I cannot go down and trailor it back. How would you get this boat back to Maryland? Ride it back? Or have it shipped back? Anyone have experience with shipping a boat via road?

 

[CJacobs2]

Its going to cost about the same. Drive it by water and fish!

What did you get?

 

[rocksteady]

I found a boat in FL, below the Indian River Inlet that is almost too good of a deal to pass up. Only issue is its in the water and 31'. That means I cannot go down and trailor it back. How would you get this boat back to Maryland? Ride it back? Or have it shipped back? Anyone have experience with shipping a boat via road?

Take a week or two and fish it all the way home:yes: My friend Joe and his father ran a boat from Tampa Bay all the way back to Solomons last year . They had an amazing trip . With careful planning and watching the wx you could do it .

 

[Capt.BOB1]

Definitely drive it up! Well worth the experience. Just plan well
Capt. Bob

 

[aafinest]

I'm assuming you've decided to purchase this boat, had it surveyed etc. Give George or Denise Klein a call Cove Point Marine Transport T/A Bay Harbor Boat Yard, they are in Deale, 410-867-6290 or 800-742-1301 fax # 410-257-6305. They will ne happy to give you an estimate. They transport boats back and forth to/from Florida regularly, maybe you can save some bucks and arrange with them to pick up your boat on a return trip. I know both George and Denise personally and both are great people to do business with. But I must warn you if the boat has a fly bridge on it there are height requirements to consider. Your welcome to mention my name, Sam, if you wish. Who ever to choose make sure you get references and check them before you commit. Good Luck

Sam

 

[capt.george]

--Ditto on your Suggestion --Engine trouble or Grounding in the Intercostal away from Local Help could be Devesting --Empty runs by Transporter from Fla, would be the Ticket ---Shure tho Flying Bridge Removal would be Require--Some Boats it's a Matter of un Bolting etc. --geo.

 

[27 sailfish]

Only snag about running her up is if you get 2-3 really windy days.The inter coastal has trouble with silting in some areas.There are a lot of no wake zones as well.Some of the channel marking leaves much to be desired.

Most guys now prefer to run outside - in the ocean.The ocean is a faster route but you need decent weather.

If she will turn 22 knots - you can cover 200-250 each day.Stop for fuel and dinner overnight and then back out you go.

It is a hell of a shakedown but you'll sure learn your boat.

 

[hackeyfly]

I considered a large boat purchase from FL, but then I thought about trying to deal with a dead engine situation(twin inboards), high winds, and tight quarters in an unfamiliar area. I figured to be safe I needed about 2 months leave, about $10k in cash, and a way to get all my tools to the boat before starting out. Be a fantastic trip if nothing breaks ...
Pat in Joppa

 

[NachoLibre]

You only live once. Take a few weeks off work, plan a route with 2-3 backup plans if you run into weather, and do some fishing. Ideally, get someone else to go with you and take all the precautionary measures possible (EPIRB, float plan to several people, etc.).

 

[TEAM BILL ME]

YouTube - ShipMax
I can ship your ship! no shippen! @ Shipmax!!

Really it would be a great excuse to spend some time on the water,,,
Lotsa good fishen right now all the way up to MD.

 

[STeveZ]

I think shipping it would be cheaper and safer. Even with a survey that's a helluva trip to take on an unfamiliar boat. Flip side is its a great opportunity if you have the time and money take advantage of it.

When I bought my (first) boat I changed the fuel filters, filled it up and ran it 8+ hours from Norfolk to Middle River in a day. At that point I had never been farther than Hart Miller Island in my duck skiff. It turned out to be a great trip!

 

[Magic Moment]

I brought my boat home from SC a year and a half ago. Was a great experience if you have a capable mate. Just do your planning and take your time. I did it in three days. Two inside and then fished from OI to VB before heading to OC. Your trip would be more like 5 or 6 days.

 

[Graybeard]

Eminent Brother,
What kind of 31 footer are you looking at? I've been out in the ocean in a big 31' CC and it was a nice day trip out and back, but; I wouldn't want to do the inter-coastal in one.

 

[calpn trayt]

imated on a 40' twin diesel from annapolis to ft lauderdale a few years back. whata fabulous trio, going inside to charleston, then outside from there on.
you must have a mate(navigator), and good charts of the inter-coastal. not hard to run, just need two sets of eyes.
whata beaytiful trip, and it took us 4days to run it. but.... it can , and will be , a costly trip, with stays at marinas at night, food , fuel, charts, etc., etc.
you getting a 31 bert?

 

[Phil K]

I can highly recommend the following for boat transport:

FCC, LLC.
Bennett Hanna
843.687.2932 (SC)
[email protected]

They run the 95 corridor every week. Reasonable rates and very reliable.

 

[Porkchunker]

Lots of boats down there have been sunk by hurricanes. Make sure you get a good survey before making a commitment.

Dave

aka

 

[HVF21221]

I bought a boat labor day weekend in West Palm Beach name Miss Hannah. We had the whole week to bring her back. It was just my wife and I, she is new to boating so most of the work was solo. The boat is a 27' express. A little about myself, I grew up on Middle River. I have had many different types of boats and have delt with my fair share of nasty, windy, winter weather on the bay. This boat is the largest I have owned. I felt well equipped to navigate the ICW but the ocean is new territory, only going out of OC a few times. We made it to Savanah, GA and decided to have her hauled back the rest of the way. The problem was the ocean was way rough from a huricane named Hannah. We stayed the entire trip on the ICW losing time each day. The weather was awesome and the trip was awesome on the ICW. I am still mad we didn't get to pull into Middle River by boat from West Palm Beach. I regret I had to push the trip each day to stay in front of the storm, we slowed in the required zones but went WOT most of the time we could. I would love to complete the trip one day when I have the time. I am torn when I look back at the adventure, on one hand I had a great time with the wife staying at different marinas each night and stopping at waterfront restaurants for dinner. On the other hand I say to myself.....what was I thinking? I had the boat surveyed and I test drove it, but what if something mechanical broke down? I guess it would have to be hauled back like we did anyway due to the weather. I am glad we stayed on the IC as I was very confortable navigating and have very little experience on the ocean. Would I do it again, you bet. Next time I would give plenty of extra time, find out what spare parts I should have on board, and have a couple of numbers of boat haulers handy if I needed them. Until I get some offshore experience and more confortable with the boat I would stay on the ICW.

 

[Navig8r]

I helped a friend move a 36' Grand Banks Trawler from Ft. Myers, FL to Ches Bay. He went all the way through the ICW in 2 increments. He spent a week or 2 and got as far as Oriental, NC. He got a slip there and went back to work for a few weeks. Then he went down to Oriental and brought it the rest of the way. I did the second part, and it only took 4 days. His cruise speed was only 7 knots, and we hit some 6' seas in Arbermarle Sound. She rode pretty well.

He said that it actually cost him a little more to drive than having it hauled, but he would do it again.

 

[SkateCatcher]

I appreciate all of the thoughts. I havent had it surveyed or bought anything yet. But I had a family member check it out for me and was pretty impressed. Obviously alot more to do (survey, finances, trip down) before anything happens. Just curious to see what everyones thoughts were. Its a 31' CC with a custom cuddy front. He essentially had the front of the CC glassed in and created a cuddy cabin. Wouldn't make the run until we got some warmer weather and figured it would be a trip to remember. Thanks again for all the responses.

Matt

 

[kahuna1]

if its a 31 cc i would trailer it back myself , depending on what kind of truck you have, i pull my 29' cruiser with a beam of 10' just get you wide load permits usually $10-$20 per state for single use