Conservative Sail from NYC to Detroit

[kenbo]

Originally Posted by SeaRaider

I would look for a boat closer to Detroit. Better yet, find a boat for sale in Canada. Bargain prices with the exchange rate. I bought mine up on the Georgian Bay.

Plus it will be a fresh water boat. No small difference in aging.

[kenbo]

averaging 6.5 kts in a 34 Sabre will be whipping the dogs pretty hard. Plus the ebb current in the Hudson is stronger than the flood. New to him boat, lots of variables to run it that hard.

[ebsail]

It's almost always cheaper and safer in total expense to truck it.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by ebsail

It's almost always cheaper and safer in total expense to truck it.

Often it is. But if you want an experience to remember, this would be a great trip.

[Dave Lochner]

Originally Posted by Snore

Often it is. But if you want an experience to remember, this would be a great trip.

The Erie Canal is both interesting and extremely boring. There are a several good videos about the history of the canal and its importance in the development of the midwest. Watching those videos helps one to appreciate the significance of the canal.

[fdr14127]

I would not pass up a chance to do the raging Erie Canal. Troy to Buffalo. Probably the best week cruising anywhere. (A dull but effective option would be to call Glen and ATL Transport in Virgil Ont. and have him truck it to Windsor? or some such at a reasonable cost. How do you think all those C&C,Hinterholler, Aztec, Canadian boats got there)?

[StoneCrab]

Shipping it by truck makes the most sense in my opinion. If this was the beginning of summer, I'd say go for the adventure if you are up to it. But this time of year will put you under some pressure from the short days, blustery weather and cold temperatures. It would be a hard delivery and nothing more.

Since the boat will be new to you, you don't know that everything will be in shape for this type of trip. From cutlass bearings to raw water impellers, that type of trip is hard on the boat and motor. You may only get part of the way there and be shutdown by equipment failure.

Motoring 10 to 12 hours a day at this time of year means that you are starting and ending in the dark. It will be cold and monotonous since you wont be able to stop anywhere interesting due to your schedule.

The expense of shipping it would be easily offset by two hard weeks of effort driving your new boat in the ditch. If you work with a trucking agent, and have a flexible schedule, you may be able to get a really good deal with a truck who would be otherwise returning home empty ... or "deadheading". A trucker with a boat trailer would rather have a boat on that trailer than drive home empty. They will give you a good price if you work with a broker.

[Iduna]

Thanks for all the input everyone.
I'm not 100% set on getting a boat in NYC, but this definitely helps frame the logistics of doing so.

[pesarsten]

Are you looking at the mk 1 in Perth Amboy? Looks like a nice vessel.
I wouldn't count on more than about 40 miles a day until you hit Erie.

I have a 34 sabre with W27 and I run it at about 5 1/2 knots so I'm not beating it up. Remember that the Hudson is a river and flood tide will push up to about Poukeepsie ebb will really fight you.

Have fun , they're great sailing boats!