IP Delivery - Tampa to NJ... Route advice?

Hi All -- I've been lurking and searching, "hoovering" data on delivering a newly-built IP 439 from Tampa to NJ in June 2023 (God willing!). 

Nothing is set in stone, but I'll likely have a delivery captain along as far as Miami and then make the rest of the trip north w/ my wife and boys (reasonably able crew). 

I'd be grateful for any first-hand experience and advice for making this trip.  I'm using precious paid-time-off (PTO) from work to do it, so balancing speed with safety is important. I'm no stranger to the notion of "every plan is great until first contact with the enemy" (I know from personal experience how punishing the gulf stream can be) so suggestions for "Plan B's" along the way are a big help too. 

I'll have four weeks... 28 week days... several of which will be burned up with provisioning, final commissioning, and local shakedown cruising.  And I'm hoping not to use it all (I'd like to sail more than just weekends once at home!). 

So?  Any thoughts? 

Thanks! 

John (and Barb) O.

Keep a sharp eye on the weather, you will be traveling during what is technically hurricane season. Check with your insurance policy regarding your allowed location in June. Get the latest ICW guide. There are some Skipper Bob publications that are very helpful to find anchorages and marinas along the ICW. And, when in the ICW, be sure to check the latest on the Waterway Watch website. There has been quite a bit of reported shoaling. I have always made my plans along that route to have 3 potential stopping points as I go so if weather changes or if I get further than expected I have my options already mapped out. I would avoid Port St. Lucie as an entry/exit point to the Atlantic from the ICW, the fishing boats there have no respect for sailors. If you stay relatively close to shore along FL, I generally just stay about a mile or so off shore there along the depth dropoff, you won't need to worry about the Gulf Stream, you will be west of it. But, watch the current tables for entering and exiting, some areas have quite strong currents. There are lots of marinas along the way on the ICW if you need assistance. Definitely join SeaTow or TowBoat US. I'm sure others will jump in with additional details.

Congratulations on the new 439, John! I’m the worst qualified to offer any advice but I did a similar trip in a Cabo Rico we purchased in FL some years ago. We also had a finite amount of time but had hoped to get at least as far as the Hudson en route to the Great Lakes but ran out of time. We went outside the entire way but I stubbornly stuck to sail alone when we could and should have motored much more for reasons of expediency. We ran out of time at the Chesapeake and the ol’ girl ignominiously finished the trip on a truck! If I learned anything, it was that I was foolishly optimistic to expect to stick to a schedule on a trip like that.

Coincidentally, we’re also hoping to take delivery of a new 439 close to the same time next year. I hope you’ll share how it all goes!

Bill W

P.S. I’ve been lurking here too and didn’t see any location dedicated to introductions so I’ll say “Hello” here and thanks to all for all of the IP information!

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 . . . . but I stubbornly stuck to sail alone when we could and should have motored much more for reasons of expediency.
 

It's taken me a long, long time, but over the past couple of years I have finally realized that I don't have to always try to sail.  I was having this discussion with the Admiral this evening.  I have too often chosen to keep the iron genny off when it would have been far better to accept that it doesn't make me a bad sailor to use it.

I think it comes down to that there's always the option of relying on the motor, and I want to be wary of too readily resorting to it.  Use it when it's the correct/wise choice--it may even make the sailing better (and safer).   There are many days that if we didn't have a prop, we wouldn't be able to get out of the river to enjoy the bay.  It would be a shame to miss those days just because I want to be a sailing purist.

wrote:

wrote:

 . . . . but I stubbornly stuck to sail alone when we could and should have motored much more for reasons of expediency.

 

It's taken me a long, long time, but over the past couple of years I have finally realized that I don't have to always try to sail.  I was having this discussion with the Admiral this evening.  I have too often chosen to keep the iron genny off when it would have been far better to accept that it doesn't make me a bad sailor to use it.

I think it comes down to that there's always the option of relying on the motor, and I want to be wary of too readily resorting to it.  Use it when it's the correct/wise choice--it may even make the sailing better (and safer).   There are many days that if we didn't have a prop, we wouldn't be able to get out of the river to enjoy the bay.  It would be a shame to miss those days just because I want to be a sailing purist.

Yeah, I’ve come to the same realization. Especially since we generally have poor luck with winds and are usually trying to get somewhere before the bars close! So often are we motor sailing anymore that I kid my wife that we are going to wear out an engine “sailing”.

Off topic, is that your 349 in your avatar? If so, any regrets having gone with the cutter rig? We’ve opted for the cutter rig but we were definitely not encouraged to do so.

Congratulations right back at you! What hull number is your 439? Mine's 17.

And thanks for the insight on the trip. I'm assuming 5/6 kts average for 2 weeks sailing, and budgeting just about 3-1/2. Fingers crossed!

John