Transport vs sailing around FL

[Cheechako]

I dont see it being a difficult sail really. Trucking takes a ton of time in preparation. I've trucked twice, both times had damage.
Ft. L to Biscayne bay is a day sail. Then Biscayne to the Keys, then the Keys on north. The last leg is a leeshore usually so prepare.

[mhansen]

Thanks to all who have solidified my thoughts; it's going to be a sail when I find the right boat.
Mike

[AJ_n_Audrey]

Trucking price depends on distance, and truckers are in demand right now, so prices are higher than historical. You can also get screwed by unethical trucking companies, so try to find someone you trust to guide you to a trustworthy trucker.

If possible, go by water. Much cheaper and more fun.

[HopCar]

I had a boat built in Maine and trucked to Florida. I’ve always regretted not bringing it down on it’s own bottom. Don’t miss the opportunity for an adventure.

[boatman61]

Sail it.. you won't regret it.. and as Snore says, you can always get a skipper if you feel the need.

[Kaptain Ken]

If time is a factor, I fully endorse the suggestion of using the Okeechobee Waterway. I did it along time ago in a galaxy far, far away in a Coronado 35 I purchased in Sarasota and brought to Hilton Head Island, SC. We cleared the railroad lift bridge (which is at the west end of the segment from Okeechobee to Port St. Lucie/Stuart, FL) by a couple of feet. An electronic chart I have in my laptop shows the clearance at 49'.

[Colonel Bob]

I took the opposite track. I bought my dream boat in Pensacola, with destination Annapolis. I looked at trucking but sailing around was marginally cheaper and that include hiring a delivery captain and mate, provisioning and fuel for the 20kt headwinds on the way to Marathon Key. We did 1400 nm in eight days (3 on 6 off watches). Got in the Gulf Stream after Lauderdale and got four extra knots and lots of dolphins.
Entered the ICW at Oriental, NC, where I dismissed the delivery captain. My wife and I took it through the swamp, up the Chesapeake and hit Annapolis. It was a fun trip and the training opportunity was an extra benefit.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by mhansen

Thanks to all who have solidified my thoughts; it's going to be a sail when I find the right boat.
Mike

I’ve made that sail a lot. It’s a fun trip. No way would I pay someone instead of enjoying the run!

[merrydolphin]

I have done both ways before. I shipped a Tartan 37 from Bradenton FL to NC, a thousand miles for about as much as you are talking about. I used Triton Marine in Oriental NC. 90 mi or 900 mi. Many of the costs are fixed. I shopped at both ends of the trip and paid about 500 out, mast and all and about the same in. Transport was a very reasonable 3000K total, including 11 foot rib and 15 hp ob. All went well.
The only reason that I went this way was my first mate had a serious illness and I couldn’t leave her alone. Otherwise I would have moved her myself. Have made that trip a number of times. And if you don’t want to go to key west you can go through at Marathon. On the east coast you can go in or out or any combination. Great options. The cost and trade-offs of having it delivered by Captain was not viable. I have a 100 ton Masters and have done many deliveries and KNOW the pitfalls and problems that can add up quickly! Good luck.

[Evergreen]

Hello

Currently moving a new to us Island Packet 38 from Port Charlotte, FL to Maine.

Currently in Vero Beach, FL. It took us 7 days to get from Port Charlotte to Vero. We we slowed down by two days due to dodging tropical storm and one day of strong wind on the nose.

We hope to be north of the Florida line in four more days.

Our biggest complaint so far has been the HEAT and some boat issues.

Otherwise the move is no big deal.

[Sandy Frank]

Originally Posted by Evergreen

Hello

Currently moving a new to us Island Packet 38 from Port Charlotte, FL to Maine.

Currently in Vero Beach, FL. It took us 7 days to get from Port Charlotte to Vero. We we slowed down by two days due to dodging tropical storm and one day of strong wind on the nose.

We hope to be north of the Florida line in four more days.

Our biggest complaint so far has been the HEAT and some boat issues.

Otherwise the move is no big deal.

I am about to do Port Charlotte to Fort Pierce! With a "small" detour to dry Tortuga I had budgeted 9 days.