Am I crazy for planning this trip?

[Mike32110]

Hey everyone. I am brand new to the forums, although I have read a ton of posts in the past. I currently live in Calgary, Canada, and am considering flying to Florida to buy a small cruiser and keep it docked in florida for vacations (on a completely different story, I am considering moving there as well, hence why I want to spend time in Florida). I have houseboated a couple of times and have been on small boats before, but I have never driven a boat. In a few weeks I will have a significant amount of time off of work and was considering a couple of options.

My plan is to drive down with my girlfriend and dog, and then Ill look for boats when in Florida (already eyed a few on boattrader). I am thinking of spending like 5-15k on getting a ~20-25 year old 25-35ft cruiser. I am planning on getting my boatting license somewhere in Florida. My plan would be to get my dog used to the boat and if he has no problems, spend about 8-9 days going throughout the Bahamas, setting anchor at various islands in the evening. I then am planning on droping my gf off in Miami and possibly doing a several week trip down to central america, and Northern South America and then up through the various Carribean islands. This is all best case scenario. At the very least, I want to do the shorter trip in the Bahamas.

I have a few possible issues that I was considering. First, I was thinking if I were to be going more than 8-9 hours without docking, I would need a much larger boat so that the dog can get SOME exercise and a place to go to the washroom (I was going to buy one of the fake-grass dog mats). I am confident a 25-35 footer would be enough for a few hours as long a I let him sleep on the beds, but I am not sure. I was also wondering if you guys generally think that this is too big of a trip to do considering my minimal nautical experience? I am very cautious and would bring a bunch of extra safety equipment (backup GPS, extra flares, backup radio, etc.), and would only go out on ideal conditions. I figured that the Bahamas trip would at least be a good start to get some experience with boating. I was also wondering if anyone has had experience with having a boat in Florida while living really far away? My rationale is that I would go to a cheaper dock (Im hoping no more than 2-300/month) and would probably make 2-4 trips a year to the boat, unless I eventually moved down there. The biggest concerns I have are releated to hurricaines and crime, as well as if it would even be ecenomically worth it? I have considered doing a charter trip to get myself started, but the cost seems so high compared to the cost of just buying a used boat. I figured as long as I use it for at least a month out of the year, it would be worth it.

Another option that I have been considering is spending more money and purchasing a newer/nicer boat, and then hand it over to a chartering company to cover the maintanence costs so I can hopefully at least breakeven, or make a bit of profit on the side. The only problem is I could not spend more than 50k, and from the research I have done it seems to be only the very expensive (200k+) boats are available for this.

Sorry for all of the questions, but any information would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Mike32110]

No one?

 

[Thistle]

By "cruiser" do you mean a sailboat or a motorboat? Whichever it is, I'd strongly suggest learning to use it and then getting a season or three of experience before considering trips like these.

 

[john_morris_uk]

There are so many questions in your post (and lots of assumptions that you may be making) that it's difficult to know where to start.

My instant reaction is that buying a boat and planning to cruise through the Carib and N of S America 'in a few weeks' is a little unrealistic. (That's British speak for 'you must be joking'!). Some people take a year or three to cruise through the area and don't see much of it. I've sailed most of those water and hope to return but my strong advice is to go and buy your boat and sail round the Keys for a while.

I'm the wrong person to ask about dogs on boats. Our dog lives at home. We took her on the boat once and she loved it, but we didn't....

 

[skipmac]

So much to say and so little time.

1. 8-9 days will barely be time to go to Bimini and back. No way you could go throughout the Bahamas.

2. What kind of cruiser, power or sail?

3. $5-15K unless you are the luckiest boat buyer in North America, will most likely get you what would be politely referred to as a "fixer upper", emphasis on fixer.

4. If you want to do Central and South America and the Caribbean in a few weeks I think you need to look at an airplane, not a boat.

5. Profit on buying a boat to put into charter? You would be the first one ever.

6. Yes your plan is too ambitious for your experience level.

 

[clyst]

Just don't buy an old wooden fishing boat .

 

[NormanS]

It's a troll.

 

[simonfraser]

1) go and crew on a boat nearby wherever you live to get more experience
2) decide whats more important dogs / girlfriend / sailing, you'll be very lucky to combine all three
3) answer to your Q = yes

 

[Seajet]

Read everything you can re magazines and books, before deciding on a boat, and if there's a club near you go and ask members if they need a crew.

Don't know about your neck of the woods but in the UK you don't need to join clubs and there are often people looking for crew, you don't have to be bionic and all knowing, often people just want company and a hand with fenders and lines - practice first before berthing.

Your ideas of a good boat will very probably change after a bit of time on other people's boats.

 

[Heckler]

It's a troll.

I agree!
S

 

[ianj99]

I agree!
S

What does that make you two then? Its his first post so talk about a rush to judgement. Happy New year.

 

[Pladdatoo]

It would appear that the dog is a very determining element in your planning - what with ensuring s/he has enough space to exercise, poop and sleep! Sure, nice to have the company etc but the g/f might want you to be thinking about her needs above its maybe?
Your priorities may require some tweaking me thinks.

Now onto the sailing bit......eventually....the trip sounds a tad over-ambitious for a shake-down/familiarisation one to me, especially as you don't really seem to have an idea of type of boat, but there again, meandering down through the Bahamas is enough to raise the little green monster in me, especially as I have just chucked a bucket full of ice off the spray hood this morning.
Whatever you decide to do, get your priorities right from the get-go and at the top of that list should be ability over confidence (is that too patronising?)
Oh and enjoy it.

 

[jac]

Wouldn't the dog chase the three billy goats ?

Could you keep the boat under the bridge with you if you do mice down there.

 

[richardabeattie]

Not a troll, but clearly a dreamer of unrealistic dreams. I suppose sitting in Calgary and looking at a small scale chart of warm places can have that effect!

 

[BoyBlue49]

Totally impractical and dangerous, would you buy a light aircraft for your $5k and fly it over water far from land. I suspect the answer is no, if so, that gives you an idea of what you plan to undertake with your proposed boat.

 

[TQA]

Hey everyone. I am brand new to the forums, although I have read a ton of posts in the past. I currently live in Calgary, Canada, and am considering flying to Florida to buy a small cruiser and keep it docked in florida for vacations (on a completely different story, I am considering moving there as well, hence why I want to spend time in Florida). I have houseboated a couple of times and have been on small boats before, but I have never driven a boat. In a few weeks I will have a significant amount of time off of work and was considering a couple of options.

My plan is to drive down with my girlfriend and dog, and then Ill look for boats when in Florida (already eyed a few on boattrader). I am thinking of spending like 5-15k on getting a ~20-25 year old 25-35ft cruiser. I am planning on getting my boatting license somewhere in Florida. My plan would be to get my dog used to the boat and if he has no problems, spend about 8-9 days going throughout the Bahamas, setting anchor at various islands in the evening. I then am planning on droping my gf off in Miami and possibly doing a several week trip down to central america, and Northern South America and then up through the various Carribean islands. This is all best case scenario. At the very least, I want to do the shorter trip in the Bahamas.

I have a few possible issues that I was considering. First, I was thinking if I were to be going more than 8-9 hours without docking, I would need a much larger boat so that the dog can get SOME exercise and a place to go to the washroom (I was going to buy one of the fake-grass dog mats). I am confident a 25-35 footer would be enough for a few hours as long a I let him sleep on the beds, but I am not sure. I was also wondering if you guys generally think that this is too big of a trip to do considering my minimal nautical experience? I am very cautious and would bring a bunch of extra safety equipment (backup GPS, extra flares, backup radio, etc.), and would only go out on ideal conditions. I figured that the Bahamas trip would at least be a good start to get some experience with boating. I was also wondering if anyone has had experience with having a boat in Florida while living really far away? My rationale is that I would go to a cheaper dock (Im hoping no more than 2-300/month) and would probably make 2-4 trips a year to the boat, unless I eventually moved down there. The biggest concerns I have are releated to hurricaines and crime, as well as if it would even be ecenomically worth it? I have considered doing a charter trip to get myself started, but the cost seems so high compared to the cost of just buying a used boat. I figured as long as I use it for at least a month out of the year, it would be worth it.

Another option that I have been considering is spending more money and purchasing a newer/nicer boat, and then hand it over to a chartering company to cover the maintanence costs so I can hopefully at least breakeven, or make a bit of profit on the side. The only problem is I could not spend more than 50k, and from the research I have done it seems to be only the very expensive (200k+) boats are available for this.

Sorry for all of the questions, but any information would be appreciated! Thanks.

You can buy a reasonable boat for the money you are talking about. At least LOOK at a Catalina 30 [diesel] before you buy anything. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1983/Catalina--2673808/Palm-Coast-Daytona/FL/United-States#.VKDAtl4AJA

Charter co are divesting themselves of their small monohulls and going to cats. Serious money so forget that.

My plan would be to get my dog used to the boat and if he has no problems, spend about 8-9 days going throughout the Bahamas, setting anchor at various islands in the evening. I then am planning on droping my gf off in Miami and possibly doing a several week trip down to central america, and Northern South America and then up through the various Carribean islands. This is all best case scenario. At the very least, I want to do the shorter trip in the Bahamas.

The above is seriously unrealistic. I have crossed from Florida to the Bahamas a few times and on average I guess I waited 10 days each time for a weather window. It is a tough crossing in a small boat. I had a bullet proof 38 ft steel ketch but did not take crossing the Gulf stream lightly.

As for going South get hold of A gentlemans guide to passages South by Bruce Van Sant and STUDY it. In the Caribbean basin the winds are mostly Easterly and there is current running at 1 knot + almost everywhere from the East. So to go East you are bashing upwind and upcurrent.

 

[KellysEye]

>As for going South get hold of A gentlemans guide to passages South by Bruce Van Sant and STUDY it. In the Caribbean basin the winds are mostly Easterly and there is current running at 1 knot + almost everywhere from the East. So to go East you are bashing upwind and upcurrent.

Agree. Most Americans motor that route and many then keep motoring everywhere.

 

[SHUG]

Not a troll, but clearly a dreamer of unrealistic dreams. I suppose sitting in Calgary and looking at a small scale chart of warm places can have that effect!

Hey, Trolls have feelings too!!!

 

[oldharry]

5 - 15k MIGHT buy you a serviceable small sailing boat capable of this trip, but would need someone experienced/qualified to give it a VERY thorough once over. And you afre unlikely to get much above the 25 - 27 foot mark for that money. A trip like that will take a fair toll on the equipment, and if its not up tos scratch you will bein bad troble very quickly. If you are looking at a Mobo, then forget it. Anything big enough and with good enough machinery to do that sort of trip will be selling for a LOT more. Would you buy an old banger of a car for a transcontinental trip? A car can stop roadside for repairs and spares. A boat can not, and engine failure at a critical moment can/will be fatal for both you and your boat, not to mention the dog! On the road, repair services are standing by. At sea, you may be asking rescuers to put their lives on the line to get you of trouble.

 

[Uricanejack]

Hey everyone. I am brand new to the forums, although I have read a ton of posts in the past. I currently live in Calgary, Canada, and am considering flying to Florida to buy a small cruiser and keep it docked in florida for vacations (on a completely different story, I am considering moving there as well, hence why I want to spend time in Florida). I have houseboated a couple of times and have been on small boats before, but I have never driven a boat. In a few weeks I will have a significant amount of time off of work and was considering a couple of options.

My plan is to drive down with my girlfriend and dog, and then Ill look for boats when in Florida (already eyed a few on boattrader). I am thinking of spending like 5-15k on getting a ~20-25 year old 25-35ft cruiser. I am planning on getting my boatting license somewhere in Florida. My plan would be to get my dog used to the boat and if he has no problems, spend about 8-9 days going throughout the Bahamas, setting anchor at various islands in the evening. I then am planning on droping my gf off in Miami and possibly doing a several week trip down to central america, and Northern South America and then up through the various Carribean islands. This is all best case scenario. At the very least, I want to do the shorter trip in the Bahamas.

I have a few possible issues that I was considering. First, I was thinking if I were to be going more than 8-9 hours without docking, I would need a much larger boat so that the dog can get SOME exercise and a place to go to the washroom (I was going to buy one of the fake-grass dog mats). I am confident a 25-35 footer would be enough for a few hours as long a I let him sleep on the beds, but I am not sure. I was also wondering if you guys generally think that this is too big of a trip to do considering my minimal nautical experience? I am very cautious and would bring a bunch of extra safety equipment (backup GPS, extra flares, backup radio, etc.), and would only go out on ideal conditions. I figured that the Bahamas trip would at least be a good start to get some experience with boating. I was also wondering if anyone has had experience with having a boat in Florida while living really far away? My rationale is that I would go to a cheaper dock (Im hoping no more than 2-300/month) and would probably make 2-4 trips a year to the boat, unless I eventually moved down there. The biggest concerns I have are releated to hurricaines and crime, as well as if it would even be ecenomically worth it? I have considered doing a charter trip to get myself started, but the cost seems so high compared to the cost of just buying a used boat. I figured as long as I use it for at least a month out of the year, it would be worth it.

Another option that I have been considering is spending more money and purchasing a newer/nicer boat, and then hand it over to a chartering company to cover the maintanence costs so I can hopefully at least breakeven, or make a bit of profit on the side. The only problem is I could not spend more than 50k, and from the research I have done it seems to be only the very expensive (200k+) boats are available for this.

Sorry for all of the questions, but any information would be appreciated! Thanks.

Crazy? No. Its a dream.
There's nothing wrong with dreaming. we all do it.
I still dream and even make a few plans. buying a boat in Florida was one of them. still is when I am cold.

I suspect your interest is in a power boat rather than a sail boat. This forum tends to be inhabited by sailors.

Before you go all the way to Florida, take the dog and GF down the Vancouver and take them out on a boat for a weekend it will cost you a couple of hundred bucks but might save you a lot more in the long run. Find out how the react to life aboard.

If you can run a house boat on the Sushwap. you can run a small power boat on the sea. but its go a lot more hazards.
I strongly recommend contacting your local Power Squadron and doing one of their boating courses before you leave. They are available in Calgary.

From a cost point of view your plan to use a power boat to explore Florida and the Bahamas is feasible. But the running cost is going to be relatively high.

You need to nail down what kind of boat you want.
Displacement trawler style?
Small fast planing?

A small Bayliner with a gas engine. Might fit the bill but be prepared for some big bills unless you have the mechanical knowledge to over haul it your self.
It will cost a lot to get any where.

Don’t stop dreaming. As you get closer to reality ask more questions.