Crew Wanted: Herrington Harbor, MD to somewhere warmer south

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by FEC

Thank you Auspicious, I'm actually signing up for it today. I noticed on my insurance papers that they are charging me for this service, I think it's more economical to go straight to the towing company than through insurance, your thoughts?

The boat insurance towing coverage I have seen requires you to front the money for a tow and apply for reimbursement. That can easily mean thousands of dollars.

I pay twice as much as you do for towing (commerical delivery skipper coverage) and it is about the only check I write all year that doesn't make me cringe.

Originally Posted by FEC

This is what I thought as well so I would probably go even further south, weather and time permitting. More and more it's looking like southern Georgia or Florida for me if I can find the right mix of people/person to help us out. Thanksgiving is just about a week and half from now.

The further South you go the further ahead you have to plan. You have to be sure of having a place to stay. You can't just pick a city and go. start calling and make reservations. You may end up having to pay for a slip you aren't in yet.

I have good connections in Morehead City, Charleston, St Marys, and Dania Beach. Not guarantees but I can help.

Originally Posted by FEC

Thanks for the offer for assistance with the vendors there at HHN. I went to see them all to get qoutes for winterizing and I must say, $1000 seems like an awful lot to put 30gls of antifreeze on a boat. But seeing as how I do not know how to do it myself, that is the route I will probably have to take if a different opportunity doesn't present itself here shortly.

That seems steep. I would have thought closer to $500. If you decide to winterize but come here anyway I can teach you how to do it yourself for an hour or two of labor and of course the cost of materials - you can use my Port Supply/West Marine Pro discount. I'll even bring my air compressor.

Originally Posted by joelhemington

Frankly Auspicious,

If I were the in the OP's position, I'd take you up on that 3 to 4K offer.

That's very nice of you to say. I do a lot of owner aboard/training work. I think it's fun. I do usually take a regular crew along as well, especially with a couple. Many stories to tell! Adult beverages required. *grin*

I do feel strongly that instructors should clearly dilineate fact and opinion. We can talk about the friction of lines led to the cockpit independently of whether, in light of those facts, one chooses to run lines aft. Reasonable people can come to different conclusions on the basis of the same data. AC v. DC boats. Conventional mains v. in-mast v. in-boom. Garmin v. Raymarine v. Simrad. HF/SSB v. satellite for long range comms. set and drift calculations. *sigh* Fact v. opinion. Sorry. A rant of mine.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by FEC

This is what I thought as well so I would probably go even further south, weather and time permitting. More and more it's looking like southern Georgia or Florida for me if I can find the right mix of people/person to help us out. Thanksgiving is just about a week and half from now.

Good idea. But I think even there you can freeze. You’ll be too far away to winterize spur of moment
https://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/win...-your-boat.asp

“Unless you are located in Hawaii or the Florida Keys, we recommend winterizing your engine if you will be laying up the boat for even a few weeks to minimize the chances that a sudden freeze will put it out of commission next season.”

[rupertfb]

Good day - yog contacted me directly by private message, and I replied directly by ‘PM’ as well, and hope that you will contact me by phone or email
Many thanks
Rupert
843 609 5871
Rupertfb@btinternet.com

[CaptChris376]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

He has a Northern lights generator.
An IPad is fine, actually better than a plotter for the ICW, just of course have a depth finder which I’m sure you do.
You should have a back up IPad though, be sure to put software on it that has Active Capt on it, it’s invaluable for running the ICW.
This time of year etc, and as your new to this, and the boat, I’d run the ICW, even if you had a Pro, to shake out the boat, you May run into issues like bugs in the fuel or something and being on the ICW means it’s just an inconvenience to call Boat US, which brings that up, buy Boat US towing Insurence right now, I believe there is a waiting period from when you buy until it’s active, but I am not sure about that.

Brunswick is one hour from the Jax airport. I just made the drive today both ways from Ortega Landing to Brunswick, it’s one hour.

Jax airport is North of Jax so it may only be 45 min or less.

I can't understand why someone would rely on just an Ipad except for day sailing. Unless it was backed up with a gps receiver and paper charts. A dedicated installed chartplotter can be had for a few hundred dollars. Properly installed it can't fall overboard, is typically water resistant/proof and can't run out of power unless the boats electrical system fails. I also would not proceed on passage without paper charts no matter what, at least in the US they are more reliable than many electronic charts.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

I'm a delivery skipper. I may be more expensive than you are prepared to manage. I do owner aboard deliveries often that include training. I sign-off on insurance for a number of carriers.

It makes no sense to hire someone like me for the ICW. Offshore could work.

As you noted your air draft is 63.5' below the 65' fixed bridges on the ICW. You might want to go up the mast and flip the VHF antenna upside down in its bracket. Measure the light fixture and wind instrument and consider taking them off.

It's one day from HHN to Norfolk/Hampton/Portsmouth/Little Creek. I press up fuel and water in Little Creek at Cobb's Marina before heading offshore or down the ICW.

I would stage in Little Creek and go offshore from there right under a cold front, stay inside the Gulf Stream, and head for Charleston. From Brunswick, 225(ish) miles further south, your airport is a long way away in Jacksonville FL. Air travel in and out of Charleston is easier. No non-stops to LAX but lots of single changes.

It's already cold. You're going to need heat. I suggest long underwear and a couple of Mr. Heater Portable Buddy heaters.



The boat has to be somewhere so marina fees are a wash. Winterization is relatively cheap. The bigger issue is finding someone to do it right. $500 maybe? Depends on just how many systems are on the boat. In-water storage is fine. For me to take the boat to Charleston would be between $3000 and $4000. You could wait for Spring, cruise the Chesapeake, and head South as soon as your insurance permits. You could even watch the weather and spend some time sailing on long weekends and holidays. You'll want those propane heaters. Cheap.

I'm happy to give advice. If you want a real bid for training and delivery you can write me at dave@AuspiciousWorks.com . You might solicit @Snore, also here on CF, and Karl Weber atthehelmdelivery@gmail.com. I'm probably best at training but will likely be most expensive. Oh - for me - you'll need a lot of paper and pens. I draw a lot of pictures when I talk, unless we're working off my supply of PowerPoint presentations. *grin*



It's never too late. The weather doesn't pop up. We know where it comes from and can plan accordingly. Really must have heat.

See above for the 65' ICW bridge height issue.

Rounding Diamond Shoals at Cape Hatteras gets a bad rap. It isn't really worse than most of the midatlantic coast. You have to watch the weather (gribs aren't weather - synoptic charts). I've been around Hatteras hundreds of times and turned back exactly twice. I've had to wait a day or two for acceptable conditions (the term "weather window" bugs me - personal issue - sorry).

From HHN to Hampton Roads is just a day. I've been cold and wet on the trip but absent a hurricane or Nor'easter weather should not stop you from heading down the Bay. These are inland waters. Beautiful and interesting but protected.

Now about provisioning.... *grin*

Dear FEC, Hire this man -he knows his stuff! Then meet him in Chareston for couple days instruction

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by geoleo

Dear FEC, Hire this man -he knows his stuff! Then meet him in Chareston for couple days instruction

*blush*

[Lodesman]

What is your timeline? Are you going back to work or do you plan on seasonally cruising?
I think it's worth pointing out that freezing temperatures can and recently have gone as far south as Florida. If you're putting the boat up anywhere on the coast, your best bet is to take precautions, ie. drain freshwater tanks/lines, anyway.

The bay freezes up in Deale, but surprisingly only a little further south in Solomons, it doesn't. This may also be surprising, but we found Herrington Hbr to be relatively inexpensive for storing the boat, compared to marinas further south - this may have changed and is a generalization, but it's something to consider for someone without a fat wallet.

It does snow in Norfolk, but not often.

If I was you I'd consider doing your sail training/practice in the Chesapeake, and keep your boat at Solomons. BWI isn't that far, there's a lot to see and do in the area, and lots of boat resources nearby. In the winter there isn't much of a boating community north of St Augustine - and the ease of "just going for a sail" is fairly limited. Other choices along the ICW are: Elizabeth City, Morehead, Southport NC, and Charleston SC. While you can continue along the ICW south of that, with your draft, it's smarter to go outside - it's a day's sail to Brunswick.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

I think it's worth pointing out that freezing temperatures can and recently have gone as far south as Florida. If you're putting the boat up anywhere on the coast, your best bet is to take precautions, ie. drain freshwater tanks/lines, anyway.

The bay freezes up in Deale, but surprisingly only a little further south in Solomons, it doesn't.

Far from that simple. Salinity certainly declines as you get further up the Bay. Temperatures are not that different although duration is. There are certainly pictures of people walking across the Bay under the Chesapeake Bay bridge back in one really bad winter in the 70s. We just don't see that, and certainly not without warning. Usually from the head of the Bay to the mouth we have skim ice. There is more risk when hauling out than storing in the water.

Originally Posted by Lodesman

In the winter there isn't much of a boating community north of St Augustine - and the ease of "just going for a sail" is fairly limited.

I disagree. The community shrinks but if anything becomes more cohesive. Water party stories.... *grin*

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

I disagree. The community shrinks but if anything becomes more cohesive. Water party stories.... *grin*

I think you misunderstood my point about the ease of "going for a sail." This is in reference to there being few locations along the ICW where you can realistically hoist the canvas, and relatively few locations where you have reasonable access to the ocean.

While the bay may have a few hardy winter sailors, I stand by my point that travelling the ICW during the winter is a lonely affair.

We got stuck in the ice in HHN winter 13/14 - delayed by circumstances beyond our control. We had to wait for a break in the cold, and the ice-breaking service to get down to Deale. With all that, we still had to break through a mile of up-to-an-inch-thick new ice, to escape. Most of the marinas and usual spots along the way were empty - some even closed for the season, with a dial-up caretaker. Upside, could pick the choice dock; no lines at the showers; and generous use of courtesy cars. But if you want to do sociable things, it ain't so good.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

While the bay may have a few hardy winter sailors, I stand by my point that travelling the ICW during the winter is a lonely affair.

Ah. I was thinking in the context of the OP going or not going. Sailing on the Chesapeake in winter can be wonderful, especially with heat.

I don't remember winter 13/14 being particularly cold and an inch of ice is a lot for us in the mid-Bay.

You are far from alone in having circumstances drive schedule. I've moved a lot of boats South in February delayed by circumstances. It's cold and often requires the application of US Navy state of the art ice removal tools. *grin*

I do agree with you that sailing on the ICW any time much less winter is unlikely. I'm an offshore guy. We get warm faster. *grin*

You are definitely correct that moving boats in winter inshore or offshore requires research and coordination. Fuel and water (especially water) can become a real challenge. You really need to work a couple of days ahead to have any hope of getting on and off the dock efficiently. It is a job.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Sailing on the Chesapeake in winter can be wonderful, especially with heat.

Totally agree; I've been trying to sell the OP on this, but don't see him buying it

I don't remember winter 13/14 being particularly cold and an inch of ice is a lot for us in the mid-Bay.

Here's was early January '14 in HHN. It stayed cold and the ice got thicker.

This was not mid-bay, but just before we left USCG was reporting that part of the Chessy was 65% covered in fast ice 2-3 inches thick. From the dock in the harbour we couldn't tell, but we took a drive up to Annapolis, and saw for ourselves that they had grossly overreported the ice. That said all the small bays were frozen solid until their little ice-breaker came in.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

This was not mid-bay, but just before we left USCG was reporting that part of the Chessy was 65% covered in fast ice 2-3 inches thick. From the dock in the harbour we couldn't tell, but we took a drive up to Annapolis, and saw for ourselves that they had grossly overreported the ice. That said all the small bays were frozen solid until their little ice-breaker came in.

My mid-Bay I meant between Pax River and Patuxent (ish), not the middle of the Bay.

That year I was in Back Creek Annapolis and only saw skim ice. Perhaps Rockhold Creek is more fresh and slower moving.

[Swimmingbird]

Message sent!

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by FEC

Actually i checked the specs again and it reads 5'11", you were correct

They made 2 versions of keels for this model. Are you sure you have the shallower shoal draft keel?

[Colonel Bob]

We brought our new to us 2007 Jeanneau 42DS up the ICW in 2016. 63' mast had no issues from Morehead City to Annapolis but watch the tide levels. Strongly recommend you subscribe to Tom & Mel Neale's monthly East Coast Alerts for the latest poop on navigation issues, bridge construction etc.