2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

[Halifax Shipfaced]

I am contemplating a big trip for us this winter.
It would be to tow our 33' Doral Intrigue, 2000 miles from Halifax Nova Scotia, to Florida ________? and live aboard for 6 to 8 wks.

As I'm researching this all online to see if this is a good idea and what activities my wife and little one will want to do. I don't know where to start based on geography as it ALL looks so good.

The time of yr. would likely be late Jan. or mid Feb.
We don't know have any solid plans but would like to boat in a number of places including (if appropriate) crossing the gulf to Grand Bahama.
We are seasoned boaters with all the right gear a truck, trailer and boat should have.
Does any one have any suggestions as to where we should start based on Feb time of year- wind and temp, things to see / do, places to stay and costs?
Any info links, photos, appreciated.

 

[brad614]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

I am in the Tampa Bay area right above Clearwater, and I gotta tell you the water isn't any fun in February here. The temperatures aren't usually too bad, but the wind will cut right through you. I would definitely start off further south, preferably in the Keys.

 

[sasto]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Stop by Jensen Beach....we have a neighborhood of Candian Snowbirds....54 miles from Grand Bahama....Intercoastal Waterway...St Lucie River....Share your plans with us, love to help.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

You may have this covered already, however, I think it is worth noting that you will likely need "Wide-Load" permits through most, if not all the states between NS and Florida.

I'm sure your 33' long boat is over the typical maximum 8'6" trailer width requirement.

That is a lot of boat for your average Joe to haul accross town, let alone accross an entire country.

That is all to say that plan your route accordingly and make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you head south. It sounds like it would a be a great trip, it would be unfortunate to have it ruined by getting ticketed or worse for towing an oversized trailer through a particulary strict jurisdiction.

 

[robert graham]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

That's a long way to drag that boat, maybe just leave boat in Halifax, drive to South Florida and rent a boat of your choice, save a fortune in gas, a lot safer trip not dragging boat. Just an idea. We boat the St. Johns River in Florida and you can rent most any kind of boat you want(including house boats), by the day, week, month. Good Luck!

 

[pine island fred]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

As everyone suggested, dont do it. Last 5 winters have been very windy and uncomfortable. Drive down and rent a boat. Should be a lot available as the economy is in the toilet. FRED

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

i suggest a cruise down the intracoastal from Jacksonville to the Keys. i assume you are self contained. if so you can dock in downtown Jacksonville for 3 days free.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

i suggest a cruise down the intracoastal from Jacksonville to the Keys. i assume you are self contained. if so you can dock in downtown Jacksonville for 3 days free.

Correct...at the Landings. However, there is no power there, so you'll have to run the gennie the entire time. A/c shouldn't be needed that time of year, but you have to keep the fridge cold and the batteries hot.

I suggest put in in Jax and head south down the St. Johns River. Hang out for a while and head back north, over to the ICW and south to the Keys/Bahamas/Bimini/Tortugas....whatever.

Sounds like a great trip. Wish I was following along...

 

[Halifax Shipfaced]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

This is great info guys, thanks.

I did think about the rentals but cant imagine the cost / comfort being as good as our own for 6+ weeks, and
1 one week boat rental is almost as much as it would cost me for towing there and back home.
Also, should the weather or interests not be to our liking we would be rather stuck than having the option to pull out and drive further south (if we're not already in the keys that is).

Couple that with the trust, comfort and knowledge of my own gear it doesn't seem to fit. Hey it's early in the planning and maybe I'll be back to this idea after a bunch more investigation.


Yes on the permits and regulations for towing wide loads, quite familiar with and while it is a big tow not something new to us.


Weather is definitely the wild card and my number 1 concern. Not in the sense of towing as we're under no tight deadlines, but rather it would suck to drive all that way to get 40 degree weather for the duration there.
I did look at the season averages for A few cities and understand the possibility for cold dips but on the flip side at home, we will have around 16 degrees with that white fluffy stuff all over the place.
When you guys say windy, cold or uncomfortable what kind of temperature are you talking about exactly?

-I remember visiting my cousin in Irving Texas and her complaining of the cold as I kept rolling the window down because I was too hot, It was 73 degrees!

We do have Generator AC and Heat, and would be ready for cold, but if we can find even 70 degree and greater well be quite happy.

The idea of dropping in in Jax and boating to Keys or Bahamas is interesting, is that what most people would do in this situation or drop in further down like Port St Lucie and start from there?

Are there issues to mooring off or must everyone be at a dock if over nighting?

 

[sasto]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

.
Are there issues to mooring off or must everyone be at a dock if over nighting?

I can only speak from Vero Beach to Key Largo.....the lady and I have moored over 100 times in this stretch. Most moorings have no time limit, some do. Many well protected.

The Waterway Guide will give you much needed info. When the temps reach in the low 70's...yes, us South Floridians are cold.

 

[BIGALF]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Last year was a very cold Jan. and Feb. all the way to the keys and also in the Bahamas. We don't usually have that bad of the weather during that time of the year. From Jacksonville , Fl you can go all the way down to the Keys on the ICW or jump off to the deep water almost all the way down. Saint Augustine is a great place to spend a few days. It's good for all ages. the City Marine is excellent and right in the city and Inlet to the Ocean. On the way down stop in Daytona Beach Marina, Sabastian, Fl. for a stay at Capt. Hirams for good food and fun. Call in advance for dockage. Next stop Ft. Myers, another good inlet ,for fishing and eating.
Continue to West Palm Beach for good sight seeing and again some good food on the water. After that I would go outside and boat from there to Ft. Laurderdale and go back in the inlet to the ICW for good boating to Maimi and the Keys.
The Saint Johns River that starts in the swamps in the center of the state and is nagativable from Jacksonville to Sanford , Fl. is one of the most scenic natural waterways on the east cost. However it's only one way down and the same way back.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

The Saint Johns River that starts in the swamps in the center of the state and is nagativable from Jacksonville to Sanford , Fl. is one of the most scenic natural waterways on the east cost. However it's only one way down and the same way back.

This is true. I make the trip from Sanford up to Jax and down to Daytona every year (and of course...back again). Some major parts of the river are what Florida looked like 500 years ago. Flat water, alligators, and very, very quiet. I love that ride.

If they are coming down in early Spring, spending a couple of days heading to Sanford, a few weeks there, and another 3-4 days back to Daytona would be nice way to make sure that the warmer weather was here to stay. If the weather was still cold, this would be a much nicer trip than down the ICW...until it warms up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Silver Glen Springs off Lake George, part of the St Johns can accommated your boat. it is also a for self contained boats. but a beautiful place to moor for a couple of days.

we use to go there when i was a kid, before they closed the camping area. it is now a very popular place for cruisers.

http://www.thiswaytothe.net/springs/pages/silver-glen-springs-marion.html

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...tle&resnum=2&ved=0CCgQsAQwAQ&biw=1031&bih=466

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

How about from West Palm Beach, across the ICW through Lake Okeechobee, then out to the Caloosahatchee River, down through Fort Myers, out to Sanibel Island...Down past Estero, Naples..On to the Keys?

 

[Halifax Shipfaced]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Well I thought id update this as we did the tow, and had only few minor issues along the way.
We've been in Fort lauderdale for the last 2 weeks and thinking of the passage to Ft Myers Via Okeechobee lake as cheapboatkev mentioned. Were going to ask the revelant questions in West Palm Beach unless anyone has advice about the route. (Planning to return via keys) then after a little pause hopefully Bahamas weather permitting.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

June 18th is going to be a great day, starting at the St Augustine Municiple Marina. Check out the thread, and please join us if you can.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Here is a link to our "get-together" thread in St. Augustine on June 18th. Hope you can make it.

Post some pics of your trip if you can. As long as you're down the Ft. Lauderdale way, stop in and say HI to Sasto in Jensen Beach!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=458161

 

[sasto]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Nice ride across the "Big O", Shipfaced. I live on one end of the river and Kev on the other. The ICW from Lauderdale to Jupiter is loaded with restaurants and beautiful homes. From Jupiter to Stuart is quite secluded. I would suggest staying in Stuart for a night and cross the lake to Ft. Myers in a day easily. A stop for lunch at Roland Martins Fishcamp on the lake is usually a must.

Kev can give you more info on Ft Myers than I, but I like the Municipal Marina downtown. Walking distance to the old open air shops and cafes.

Come spend the night at Nettles Island Marina, Jensen Beach with us.

Good Luck!

 

[1Socal]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Halifax,

Glad you are having a good trip. I'm considering towing my 28' GlasPly from Southern California to Washington State. Bought it in Washington and had it trucked to Southern California. I have long been interested in cruising the Sacramento River and the California Delta area as well as the Columbia/Snake river system. The boat probably weighs 13 -15,000 lbs. Interested in your truck and trailer combination to make that long haul safely.

Socal

 

[Halifax Shipfaced]

Re: 2000 mile tow to Florida in Feb.

Thanks for the advice on the fish camp for lunch when we conclude our plans we'll be sure to stop. I understand we can make a loop from Stuart to Myers to South of Marco Island returning just below Biscayne Park.
As to the June trip from Augustine trip I'm sure well be out of time as we still plan Ft Myers area and still Bahamas. Maybe a stop in Jensen tho?

Funny thing...We just returned from Matecumbe in the Keys (near Long Key Bight) and I never thought I'd hear myself say" oh good 7' deep", and meaning it.

Socal what do you need to know?
over-width permits, travel time, equipment to tow ie flags, amber lights, or running gear as in the truck/ trailer, hitch and ball?
Myself I have an f250 diesel with all the tow accessories, a tri-axle aluminum trailer that is electric over hydraulic disk brakes on all 6 wheels and a remote from the dash to operate them if wanted (this is very very nice to have) 2 Spare tires including torsion spindle
My boat is 11'2" wide, 33' long, 12500 to 13500 lbs dry.
I'm under the total load capable for my truck (23000lbs based on wheel base, engine and axle gear) that includes passengers, gear, boat, trailer, everything. Exception is I don't tow with fuel, water or waste in the boat as this would add another 1/2 ton.

My issues towing are permits, times of day allowed to travel and wide load routes.

In my opinion, dialing in the trailer tung weight on the truck is critical as on the road it's not so easy and if not correct will cause a problem, how big will be the question.