San Diego to San Francisco

[NavPak ECS]

And you think he should take off on what would end up being a ~5000 mile ocean passage? I think not...

The Clipper Route would be nowhere near 5000 miles. He said that he wants to do it himself and he has a fair amount of experience. Maybe the boat already has a wind vane, or he is planning to get one. In that case, all he has to do is chuck the outboard, and he is good to go.

[Zzmeyer]

merrydolphin nailed it. It is a lovely boat capable of sailing anywhere. After you get to know it there are cruising grounds all over where a trailer would either make it possible, or at least a lot easier. Spend a season cruising the Sea of Cortez, the PNW, maybe even SoCal again.

[Phyl]

We did this 3 times coming back from Mexico in a Cal 29, last time in 2014. Big differences in we had a 15 hp Yanmar inboard, and a couple of years sailing the Cal before coming back the first time. Best advice, yes, truck it back. The first trip we were on a schedule due to crew deadlines. We bashed all the way back to SF Bay. The next two times, it was just the two of us. We waited for weather windows. I guess we were lucky, which is better than being good sometimes. We waited 4 days in Santa Barbara on the second trip for a south wind, and sailed with the wind behind us all the way. No stops, through the gate. The last trip, we waited in Santa Barbara for two weeks. Like the second trip, wind behind us all the way again. I do regret not stopping either trip in Moro Bay, but I don't regret the trip to use favorable winds

[Selah Way]

Originally Posted by Montslr

Hello everyone,
I purchased a Pacific Seacraft Flicka in Oceanside, CA last weekend. The boat only has an outboard motor, but goes very deep into the water is very powerful for the weight of the boat. I have a good amount of experience, but have never sailed this long of a distance. I was planning on sailing it up last week, but was told that the trip would be miserable by some experienced sailors at my yacht club. I forgot to ask when it would be okay to sail it up north and that is where you all come in. If I were to pull into marinas or anchorages all the way along the coast, what time of year would be the best time to move it? It will cost $3,000 to have someone sail it up for me and $4,000 to have someone ship it up with a pickup truck. I would prefer paying for a couple airline tickets and doing it myself and with someone I know.

Thank you all in advance

We purchased our 26 ft sailboat in Dana Point, CA and had her shipped "almost" to Seattle 3 years ago. I'm thinking we paid about $1400 and the fellow did an amazing job getting her to us. We used UShip on the recommendation of a friend that had used them several times. We told them where she needed to be picked up and where she needed to be delivered, and then different drivers gave us their bids. We did not choose the cheapest, nor the most expensive, but the fellow with the best feedback. He was very flexible with us when our dates kept changing due to circumstances beyond our control; then we were flexible with him when his truck blew an engine and he was stuck for a couple of days while purchasing a new truck. He kept us informed of his location along the way, and met us on the mainland so we could take her by ferry the rest of the way. We'd use him again in a heartbeat. As always, do your homework before making such a big decision! Congratulations on your purchase, and best wishes on getting her home.

[wyeiwyr]

I may be able to help. send me an email. wyeiwyr@hotmail.com Wayne

[Don C L]

I think the OP has most likely decided to get a trailer but I'd like to ask if anyone here has, or knows of anyone who has, anchored in the cove in the lee of Point Sur. I know of one person who has, in a small boat, and said it was ok, but I am wondering if he just got lucky and dropped his anchor on the only sandy spot with no kelp or rocks. I know the entrance has some shallow rocks and it is very shallow in close, but for a smaller boat like ours, it may be ok. I've driven by it many times and have never seen a fishing boat in there, so that may indicate something.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

...
He could truck the boat to Half Moon Bay, launch there, and have the sailing into SF under the GG bridge experience. Wonder how long that would take in benign conditions, sailing, or even motor sailing? and how much fuel?

Ann

Yes. One should experience passing under THE BRIDGE.

[JPA Cate]

Don, many years back, we looked longingly at it through the binoculars. There was a fishing boat beached well up the beach. That sight scared us enough to keep on beating to Monterey. Others' mileage may vary. Perhaps one might give it a go in good light, and with a cruising guide that gave waypoints for the entry. Although, must confess it's a little scary to trust someone else's waypoints, have had them wrong. Eyeballs are for navigation! But I digress.

[drivn2ironman]

Congratulations on purchasing this vessel in Oceanside. I'm actually located there with an Ericson 28+ vessel.
First of all, you do not want to sail north past October due to weather windows are not as predictable and can get pretty nasty between point conception and Canada.
What is your experience with sailing and how long have your been sailing. This could also be a driver on which method you would want to go there.
I'm assuming you have a long-shaft on your engine. Make sure you have it completely serviced before you head north, and do a complete inspection on the main vessel and take care of those issues.
I've sailed multiple times between here and up to OR coast, and keep some distance from the shores when passing point conception due to coastal shelves there creating rougher seas than normal. Good luck!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Don, many years back, we looked longingly at it through the binoculars. There was a fishing boat beached well up the beach. That sight scared us enough to keep on beating to Monterey. Others' mileage may vary. Perhaps one might give it a go in good light, and with a cruising guide that gave waypoints for the entry. Although, must confess it's a little scary to trust someone else's waypoints, have had them wrong. Eyeballs are for navigation! But I digress.

Thanks Ann! I've scrutinized it as best I could from shore with binoculars at low tide from the highway (can't drive out there,) and nowadays with google earth, and there is or was copious kelp and some rock outcrops that would be good to avoid probably, but still LOOKED ok and as I say I know one guy who stayed there long ago. I don't think I'd try it at night in the fog

[Montslr]

I have been reading everyone’s comments and finally made a decision! Thank you so much for the advice. I found someone who has a lot of experience with this passage to do the trip for $1,800 from Oceanside to Monterey Bay. I do have experience sailing from Monterey to San Francisco so that was not a concern and saved me another $900. The $800 quote on Uship was apparently a machine made quote and not one from a real person. Someone said I could use their trailer for a $10,000 deposit, another said it would cost $6,000, and another said $3,000. I would have flown down, paid for the haul out and splash days, so I went with the experienced sailors offer. He even said a train back to Oceanside will do! I already contacted Morro Bay Yacht Club and the week or two he will be docked their will only cost about $200. I plan to take the boat out of Santa Cruz harbor within a day of arrival if the weather window allows. I could be wrong, but it sounds like a deal to me?

Thanks again!

[JPA Cate]

Good on ya. It seems a good decision to me, and I hope the gods smile on it, as well.

Ann

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by Montslr

I have been reading everyone’s comments and finally made a decision! Thank you so much for the advice. I found someone who has a lot of experience with this passage to do the trip for $1,800 from Oceanside to Monterey Bay. I do have experience sailing from Monterey to San Francisco so that was not a concern and saved me another $900. The $800 quote on Uship was apparently a machine made quote and not one from a real person. Someone said I could use their trailer for a $10,000 deposit, another said it would cost $6,000, and another said $3,000. I would have flown down, paid for the haul out and splash days, so I went with the experienced sailors offer. He even said a train back to Oceanside will do! I already contacted Morro Bay Yacht Club and the week or two he will be docked their will only cost about $200. I plan to take the boat out of Santa Cruz harbor within a day of arrival if the weather window allows. I could be wrong, but it sounds like a deal to me?

Thanks again!

That sounds like a good plan. But I have two questions: is your vessel insured? Does the person sailing your boat for compensation have the minimum license for a commercial (for hire) voyage: Master, Near Coastal, with an Auxiliary Sail endorsement?

If he/she is unlicensed, please check with your insurance company to make sure they will cover any losses occurring during the ferry voyage. Insurance companies are in the business of weaseling out of paying claims. If you don't have insurance, consider the possible consequences for your "employee" filing a worker's compensation claim for any injuries.

Sorry to be a nabob of negativity...

[Montslr]

I have confirmed with the insurance company that the boat is covered as long as it stays within 75 miles of the US coast. Also, the person is a licensed captain. Thank you for the concern.

[Don C L]

I’d be very curious to hear an account of how he does it, and how it goes for him.