West Coast (CA) to Texas, Panama Canal or OTW or...?

[Will-n-Ruth]

Hello All,

My wife and I are kicking around the idea of purchasing a boat in CA and taking it with us to Texas when we "Retire" there in 2 years.

What do you think you would do for getting to Texas? Panama Canal? Around the World? Or trucking a smaller boat (<30') and foregoing something larger?

Just looking for conversation and thoughts.

Will

[model 10]

Shipping is going to be way less expensive. You could probably move up to something in the 36' range and pay not much more than you would for a 30' boat. Over 36' or so, you get too wide etc. and the cost goes up because of pilot cars, highway restrictions etc.
If you are going to motor down to Panama and sail up to Texas, give yourself a year and half to do it.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by Guy

Shipping is going to be way less expensive. You could probably move up to something in the 36' range and pay not much more than you would for a 30' boat. Over 36' or so, you get too wide etc. and the cost goes up because of pilot cars, highway restrictions etc.
If you are going to motor down to Panama and sail up to Texas, give yourself a year and half to do it.

A friend shipped his Tartan 41 from Cali to Texas. Definitely the way to go unless you just want the adventure.

Ralph

[Will-n-Ruth]

That is pretty much what we are thinking as well. Thank you for your input.

Although Ruth has been saying "It would be nice to make a trip to Hawaii and back while we are on the west coast."

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Will-n-Ruth

Although Ruth has been saying "It would be nice to make a trip to Hawaii and back while we are on the west coast."

With a wife like that, don't get a boat that Ruth hates.

[Mike R]

Unless your prepared to outfit the boat (est 20-75k) for that type of trip by sea here in Cali, I'd ship it by land. Cost would be approx 8k-15k


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Will-n-Ruth]

Yes, definitely will get something she is comfortable with! She is a keeper... but I knew that going in.


Thanks for the info on shipping as well, it helps with the decision!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Will-n-Ruth

Hello All,

My wife and I are kicking around the idea of purchasing a boat in CA and taking it with us to Texas when we "Retire" there in 2 years.

What do you think you would do for getting to Texas? Panama Canal? Around the World? Or trucking a smaller boat (<30') and foregoing something larger?

Just looking for conversation and thoughts.

Will

You might consider looking into it being deck cargo. ? if you don't already own the boat, why buy on the west cost?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Will-n-Ruth

Yes, definitely will get something she is comfortable with! She is a keeper... but I knew that going in.


Thanks for the info on shipping as well, it helps with the decision!

Just keep in mind that once the beam exceeds a certain limit, which varies state to state but usually 8 1/2 - 9' you have to have a special permit. Even wider, as low as 10' in some states, you will have to have an escort car with the truck, even wider you have to have two escorts.

Obviously if you hit these limits the cost to move the boat across country will jump dramatically and could be $15-$25,000.

[jldunn86]

Purchase in Texas?..
Use the shipping money to vacation elsewhere...

[Will-n-Ruth]

Yes, we thought about waiting until the move and buying in Texas. That may very well be what we do, since 2 years isn't very long. Until then we may continue bareboating it and sailing with friends.


Heck, for the cost of shipping it looks like we could bareboat nice yachts every other month for the next two years and not put any wear and tear on a boat of our own.


These comments are why I posted the question here. Excellent food for thought. Thank you all!

[Jason mack]

We are facing the same decisions.
Have a Cooper 416 in channel islands, and a new job in alabama. Spoke with a boat mover the estimate was 9 to 10 thousand, C.I. to Mobile.
Mack

[Maka]

I like the wife's suggestion. Go to Hawaii 1st. Then you will have completed the 1st leg of your around the world trip.
Sounds like a better option than moving to Texas.
Furthermore you will have all that "move to Texas " money for the boat.

You can also find great boats along the Gulf Coast and Florida if the Texas move is unavoidable.

[Will-n-Ruth]

Originally Posted by Jason mack

We are facing the same decisions.
Have a Cooper 416 in channel islands, and a new job in alabama. Spoke with a boat mover the estimate was 9 to 10 thousand, C.I. to Mobile.
Mack

Your boat has a 14' beam, yes? That doesn't seem like a terrible price to haul from Channel Islands CA to Alabama. Interesting.


Thank you for the info.

[Bill_E]

My guess (no real statistical information) is that you could find a nice boat in Texas or Florida at a somewhat lower price than in California. We purchased in Florida where there were lots of really nice boats for OK prices. It should be a fairly easy sail from Fla to Tx. I've never done it so can't claim expertise.

Bill