Moving an Ariel

[Westgate]

Hello!

I just bought Ariel hull #387. She currently sits in FL and I need to get it up to NC where I live. Unfortunately sailing is not an immediate option (work does get in the way of so many things!).

Has anyone done a similar transport and what would be your recommendations?

This site is a fantastic resource...thank you!

Andrew

[CapnK]

Welcome aboard, Andrew, and Congrats on the new2you Ariel! :)

Where in Fl is the boat, and where in NC do you want her to be? If she's east coast, a delivery would probably be a *lot* cheaper than trucking her. West coast, your costs might be about the same, but a delivery would entail less hassle for you and the boat - no yard fees, no de-commissioning or re-commissioning fees, etc...

[CapnK]

Used that "Search" button Bill always talks about... :D

Looks like she is in Merrit Island, FL? And you are in Wilmington?

Check your PM's. :)

[Westgate]

Thanks!

Yes those locations are correct.

Andrew

[Gerry Walsh]

If you want it moved (sailed up to NC)Give me a call @ 315-589-5286 Thanks Gerry Walsh Capt of Robin ,...................Hull # 88

[Howard]

A couple bought 355 from me a couple months ago and paid about $2000 to get it pulled, mast dropped and trucked from Fl to MD. Methinks Gerry could be had for less.;)

[CapnK]

Man, you guys are slow - I've had my name on the table for a while now. :D It's (so very very almost) warm air sailing season! :D

[Westgate]

Thanks everyone for your help and interest!

My wife and I got a week off work (March Break!) so we decided we would try and make some headway with this transport. We "sailed" the boat from Merritt Island FL to Brunswick GA over a 4 day period. It was cold (the witch had already frozen off that particular part of her commonly referenced anatomy) and any wind we had was right on the nose but we were able to cover about 50 Nm per day. We purchased a new Tohatsu 6 hp engine that worked like a champ. We could motor-sail along at 3-6 kns (depending on the tide) at just under 3/4 throttle. I'm sure it would be even better if the hull were clean. We plan to do the next leg (7 days to NC?) once the university term ends in May. Neither of us wanted to take an untested boat out in the ocean so we stuck to the ICW. Surprisingly there are parts of Florida that are largely undeveloped.

We both learned a lot, not just about the boat but also about the handling the logistics of the process. For example make sure you don't show up in Daytona Beach on the first day of Bike week!!!!

All in all it was a great experience and it was amazing fun to actually live aboard and sail the boat. It was cramped at times esp. with the two KAD (Killer Attack Dogs) (not to be confused with the famous "Crew dogs!") but they helped to keep the cabin warm at night!

So the boatnowsits at the Golden Isles Marina at St. Simon Island. V-nice marina.


I'll post some pictures once I figure out how to do that!

Andrew

[CapnK]

That's the way to do it, Andrew! :D

Heck, by May, you could pull over in the shallows down there in Ga, and use a tile scraper to get most of the stuff off your bottom before you do the rest of the trip. Looking forward to the pics.

For planning purposes: On your way back up, on the ICW, Charleston to Georgetown is a day, and I'll buy you some frosty ones when you arrive. :D Georgetown to Little River is a good full days travel, with a good free easy anchorage at the end of it - at either Calabash Crossroads, or in Little River Inlet. You could make home by the end of the next day - LRI to Southport is 35-40 miles. So long as the weather cooperates even a little - which it is likely to do that time of year - you'll have a great trip. The stinkpotters won't even be out in full force quite yet. :D