Anyone ever moved a large sailboat from California to Florida?

[Jolly Roger]

I'm thinking of buying a Hudson Force 50 (57' overall) in California or Washington State and get it to Florida somehow. (After everyone stops laughing, I'm serious).
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of how best to do this? Trucking all the way is $22,000 so that's out. Other options are truck part way - Houston, or sail through canal, (7000 miles, uh!), or truck across the thin bit of Mexico. Any suggestions please.

[maxingout]

The best way to proceed is to buy the Hudson Force 50 on the East Coast. You will probably be money ahead getting an east coast boat because the Force 50 is an older yacht, and the cost of moving it is just the beginning of what the yacht is going to cost. I know of a Force 50 that cost $40,000 to replace the decks and pilothouse that had dry rot before the yacht went on a circumnavigation.

I have considered buying a Force 50 for myself because it's such an awesome liveaboard with a beautiful teak interior.

If you want to have a boat on the east coast, buy an east coast yacht. You'll be money ahead in the long run.

Cheers,

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger

I'm thinking of buying a Hudson Force 50 (57' overall) in California or Washington State and get it to Florida somehow. (After everyone stops laughing, I'm serious).
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of how best to do this? Trucking all the way is $22,000 so that's out. Other options are truck part way - Houston, or sail through canal, (7000 miles, uh!), or truck across the thin bit of Mexico. Any suggestions please.

Yo Rog,

having been involved with deliveries from Florida to the canal, and from Canada to Baja, I'd like to add to Dave's excellent advice.

Can we assume that you are on the west coast of the U.S., and are not free to stay in the east, or in Florida while refitting a large sailboat in preparation for a cruise in that area?

Before considering a trip of that magnitude (west coast to east coast), an older vessel will likely need a major refit. And you will then need a great deal of time for the trip as well. If you have plenty of time you can do it. If you have plenty of money you can hire it done.

If you must get to Florida, perhaps you can delay your purchase until you've relocated? Then you could begin searching short-range. Lots of boats from which to choose.

best, andy

[Jolly Roger]

Well, I wholeheartedly agree with Maxingout, but as far as I know there are no Hudson Force 50 or Venice's on the East Coast. There's one in Israel, but that's about as far as bringing one from Seattle. If you know one, please let me know.

[dana-tenacity]

7000 miles at @ 1.50 per is $10,500, canal $1500 or so, $1,000 for airfares, $1,000 for food, say $15,000 to have it delivered, 7k under your quote to truck it. Assuming the boat is up to the trip. Then subtract 7000 miles of wear and tear on sails etc.