Crew Wanted: Pacemaker 60' in PA to Discovery Bay, Ca

[Oceancalm68]

Hi there,

I have a 60' Pacemaker sitting in McKeesport, PA. I'm looking for a way to get her out here to CA. Any and all ideas are welcome. My daughter and I have had a rough last few years and now we are looking to start over with living on the water and enjoying starting a Charter Business and living our dream. I don't have anything but the heart and soul of a survivor and the hopes that someone will be a genius at helping me figure out how to get this beauty home to CA without breaking the bank. I'm open to any ideas.

Kind Regards,
Gina

[JPA Cate]

Get the required licenses and then offer crewed charters for sections of the East Coast, then Carib to Panama, then for the Canal Passage, and so forth. Maybe to Discovery Bay via Hawaii.

Sounds easy when you say it fast, but maybe you move to the east coast, and when you critique the idea, how many people do you think would want to pay to go on the old boat?

Lots of food for thought.

ann

[Oceancalm68]

That's a great idea and out of the box thinking... Gonna have to put that together and what I think your saying is basically I could make some money while bringing her home. Good idea.

[TallCotton]

If she's ocean-worthy and you have necessary safety equipment aboard, I'll help move her. I'm tied up a few weeks delivering a boat across the Gulf, but we could discuss something after March 5.

[Oceancalm68]

She is Sea Worthy and in great running condition. Tell me your thoughts and expenses that you think it might take to get her here.

Thank you so very much

[seasalt2012]

I don't see why we can't gather some willing qualified individuals on here to do it for free. Considering you have insurance on your boat......
You can plan out several 1 week hitches. Marinas to stop at, fuel points, over night points, etc.

There are many people on here that wouldn't mind taking your boat for a weeks cruise closer to your desired destination. It is surely the cheapest option, but it does run the risk of trusting other people with your possessions and other peoples seamanship and navigation skills.

[SniperSailor]

I see some good ideas above. Perhaps find a qualified crew, as noted above, and give short/medium/longer 'training adventures' to newbies LIKE ME who want to learn.

On a seperate note, now being in beautiful, sunny, warm, open San Diego, why owuld anyone ever want to move back tgo Pennsylvania, snow, etc?

[Classicsailboat]

I would be interested in volunteering for the east coast portion, pm me with your plan and we can go from there. Retired and have 40 years sailing experience.

[rsailorbob]

Not really and expert on this but just looking at it:
Fuel/oil: $21,000
Marinas: $ 6000
Duration: 60-75 Days
Provisioning: $ 7000
Emergency equipment, Nav upgrades etc: $8000
Canal Fees: $2000
Repairs: ($ 10,000 reserve)
Payments to Crew or Skipper?

Best case scenario: About $ 44,000 with no repairs and free crew. My experience in delivering old boats is there is always repair.
You will need at least 4 qualified watchstanders, some emergency training for the crew on the way to the Gulf, and plan your fuel stops across the gulf and the west coast of Central America and Mexico.

[NoFireOne]

Hi Gina,
I am interested in volunteering as a crew member and available for up to 4 weeks depending upon the proposed dates. I've crewed sailing vessel deliveries up to 45 ft, including: Gulf of Mexico; Hawaii to California; San Diego to San Francisco, to San Juan Islands, WA; Dutch Harbor to Seward, Alaska.
Being retired (former fire marshal/firefighter/paramedic) I can commit up to 4 weeks or more depending upon the proposed dates.
I will however, need to see the lasted survey & verification that the vessel is in sound shape & equipped for such a voyage.

Are you prepared for the expenses? Fuel cost alone could run well over $20 K, plus Panama Canal fees, + $$$$ ...

John

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Oceancalm68

That's a great idea and out of the box thinking... Gonna have to put that together and what I think your saying is basically I could make some money while bringing her home. Good idea.

As a retired Captain, This idea takes time and money. When you get a license, it is good only in areas that you can show sailing time and experience in. Another words, as an example, you would have to show experience and time in the New England area if you have a Great Lakes license. A license is valid only in the areas you have sailing experience in. And the time has to be logged and verified. It takes a lot of time and experience to get what is called an ''Unlimited'' license. I don't think that is going to fit your scenario unless you hire a captain.
Now, getting that boat to Sunshine Land. As I see it, your best and cheapest bet is to truck the boat to the Chesapeake. Unless you want to truck it all the way to the coast of California, which may be the least expensive choice of all. So you have a lot of research to do. Alternatives? Sell the boat you have and buy another one closer to your final destination. There is so much that we as advisors/sugestors do not know. Condition of boat? Your experience? Your bankroll? Keep your dream but be flexible. If you are not experienced, start hitting the books. Good luck.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Oceancalm68

Hi there,

I have a 60' Pacemaker sitting in McKeesport, PA. I'm looking for a way to get her out here to CA. Any and all ideas are welcome. My daughter and I have had a rough last few years and now we are looking to start over with living on the water and enjoying starting a Charter Business and living our dream. I don't have anything but the heart and soul of a survivor and the hopes that someone will be a genius at helping me figure out how to get this beauty home to CA without breaking the bank. I'm open to any ideas.

Kind Regards,
Gina

===

Trucking is probably the cheapest and quickest option if it is doable. Assuming the boat has a flybridge, that will no doubt have to be disassembled in order to get sufficient vertical clearance, and then reassembled on the west coast. You need a good boatyard to advise on the flybridge. There will also be significant extra charges for the over size load permits and escort vehicles but that will still be considerably cheaper than delivering via water. The other option that should be considered is via freighter, either as on-deck cargo or using a Dockwise type of float-on/float-off arrangement. Dockwise is not inexpensive but it will still be cheaper than delivering it on its own bottom, and it will be less wear and tear than trucking, with the added benefit of no flybridge disassembly. Dockwise scheduling can be an issue however and you will likely have to get the boat to Ft Lauderdale first. I could possibly help with that - send me a PM if interested.

Float-on float-off Service :: DYT Yacht Transport

Yacht and Boat transport services by A&B Marine Trucking/Jabin Marine Transport

Boat Transport and Shipping Overland | YachTransport LLC

[saturnsrim]

What is the condition of your boats bottom, through hauls, rudder, and rigging, What navigational equipment is on board and operational and condition and type of your sails. What is the holding capacity of your water, fuel, and holding tanks. What are you providing in the way of fuel, food supplies, and safety equipment. Is there an Eperb and life raft (capacity) on board and is equipment up to date? When do you plan on moving the boat and are you considering an Arctic run around Canada or an Atlantic run to the Panama canal (If second option will you pay fees). Are you considering a paid crew, volunteers or both? Do you have funds for any necessary repair issues that may develop? I am experienced in determining weather windows for sailing in open water as well as handling boats in moderate storms and have an extensive background in electrical work and boat engine repair.

[alansmith]

Gina, I wish I had a magic wand and could wish it for you to be true. Discovery Bay Ca. Have you checked with them about the ability to slip your large boat there? Have you asked about live aboard status there? I made a call for you because it was easier for me to do it...spoke with Christian:


at Discovery Bay Yacht Harbor.
Ph# 925-634-5928
info@dybhmarina.com
5901 Marina Rd, #1, Discovery Bay, Ca 94505


Maximum vessel length 50 foot. Slip fees for a 50 footer is 400.00 month.
No live aboards permitted. Draft does not seem to be an issue at this marina.


There are other Delta marinas up and down that might be able to accommodate your vessel. But, just so you know, California is a deeply controlled state by agencies that only allow 10 percent of all slips to be live aboard approved in the Bay area. The closer you get to nicer places like Sausalito or S. F. , you need huge money to berth a boat. A boat of your length could run over 20 dollars a foot in Sausalito...to get a live aboard status berth there...maybe in your daughter's lifetime....smile.


You also state that finances are terrible and that also worries me how you will be able to deal with the finances of such a large boat. Look, I am not trying to cold shower your dreams. Please be very pragmatic about what you can do. Large boat, poor finances, no licenses, very far away....etc etc. Do you even know what it cost to get a 60 footer through the Panama Canal these days? The list goes on and on.


Would it not be better to sale this large vessel and restart your life where it is more pragmatic? There are so many people who have tried the chartering business and flame out within just a couple of years due to the costs of business, maintenance of systems on boats, insurance carriers demanding certain certifications to practice a business that can have huge liability for them if the goo hits the fan. Then there is the accounting to federal and state agencies for taxation, keeping business licenses, and Coast Guard certifications up to snuff. They have their ways to grind your bones into dust to make their own bread.


Go to the advanced Google search feature on CF and type in charter business and start educating yourself to what others have asked and done. Even with top of the line boats in desirable areas where tourists like to hang...it is a tough tough business. No one trying to hurt your feelings or make you feel terrible. I just think you need to look at this "wish" in a business kind of way. People can help move the boat along. Will they help pay for repairs, transit fees, food, insurance, and the like?


Find out from your insurance coverage what they think about your plan of coast to coast, without captain's certifications, paying or non paying crew, and offshore passages in areas that you have no experience in. Need to get accurate information about the Panama transit fees...it ain't cheap by a long shot.


I wish you the best of luck and just trying and hoping you will see the financial picture of what you are wishing for.












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[robmo]

Truck it, much easier and you'll get it there.
"To reach south Florida from Maine, it costs the owner of a boat not more than 12 feet wide or 13 feet 6 inches high (mast to keel plus trailer height), given the current average $4.25 a gallon for diesel, about $7,000. If this boat ran at an efficient 1 mpg, the fuel alone would cost what shipping does, and you’d have to add on dockage and food. The overland trip should take four days, versus a week by water. Trucking that same size boat to Seattle costs around $13,000 and takes seven days."


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