Wildwood to Shark River

[Woodstock]

Hi all,

Just bought my new to me boat. Down in Wildwood though. Have to get it to my slip in Shark River. Deciding if I should have it hauled or bring it up via intracoastal or out front. It's a 25' Chris with twin i/o. Any thoughts or advice? It is 100 miles no matter how you cut it.  Any thoughts on how long it would take? Lots of no wake zones I hear.

Thanks

[Hotrod]

That boat... Out front

[IrishAyes]

You are correct in that it is probably about a 100 mile or so run from Wildwood (Cape May inlet) to Shark River on the outside. ICW is a winding path with plenty of spots to run aground if you venture even a few yards out of the channel. If it were me, I would pick a good day and run outside.

I don't know your cruising speed but figure at 25 MPH (that's my cruising speed) you would need 4 hours to cover 100 miles. Inside would take a lot longer as it is not a straight course to run and there are way too many no wake zones.

Don't forget to figure your fuel burn in on the trip and the capacity of your tank(s).

Depending on when you are going to do this I'd be willing to make the trip with you if you need an able body.

[Fightin Irish]

Fuel is 4.00 a gallon and you burn 15/20 gallons an hour that comes out to240-320 dollors plus your time. I would call blue line boat hauling.  Felipe will go get it and meet you at belmar.  I'm also in belmar and have used him for the last 15yrs.

[Hunter 2]

100 mile trip is a good way to familiarize yourself with everything on the boat.  Has the fuel been sitting in the tanks long?  Do you have tow insurance like Boat US?   Don't forget all the required Survival gear like flares and life jackets.

[Hotrod]

It nothing more than an inshore tuna trip. But you see land 

[Maritime Matt]

Before I could answer this there are many questions.
Boat purchased from a Dealer/Broker or private owner? How old is the boat, powerplants and drive systems?
Mercruiser, Volvo, OMC? And hopefully not Yamaha and preferrably not OMC..
Was a Survey done or the boat checked out by a reputable marine service?
Are there Receipts from any/all service work performed?
Is/was the boat in the water and sea-trialed?
What are the condition of the Bellows and when were they replaced? Keep in mind a hole or crack in a Shift Cable or Driveshaft Bellow can and will Sink your boat.
Was the boat sitting for any length of time or is it currently being used?
Thru-Hull fittings? Hoses? Sea Cocks? Bilge Pumps, Batteries? Extra fuel filters? Electronics? Especially the VHF and Antenna and Depth Finder.
Safety Gear?
Many things I would consider before a trip into the ocean.
I have run a boat from Wildwood to Lavalette. 33' Larson with twin small block fuel injected Volvo i/o's. Burned 11 gals. per motor an hour. Came into Absecon Inlet and took the ICW from there. I believe it was somewhere around 5 - 5 & 1/2 hours.
To run the ICW up from the Cape is going to be a long trip. And lots of shallow spots, especially at low tide. Add a strong West wind for a few days and that tide is even lower. Unless I knew the owner and its service history, I personally would be getting it hauled.

[Woodstock]

Thanks all for the wisdom, advice and especially for the offers of help. Top solution right now looks like buying a new trailer ~3000. Need one anyway as some of the fun is fixing and upgrading in the back yard. I'm blessed with lots of room to store.  This is by far the best forum on any subject I've been to, and I work in computers so I've been to a lot.

Still, there's a part of me that wants to do the trip on water, I mean if Slocum could go around the globe... Lol

[Hunter 2]

Call  Camp Marine in Pt.pleasant for a price on Trailers.  Also Lennys boat transport  in brick can help you set it up or move a boat.👍

[Maritime Matt]

Call  Camp Marine in Pt.pleasant for a price on Trailers.  Also Lennys boat transport  in brick can help you set it up or move a boat.👍

Yup, Camp has been around a long time. Perry and Dom
 Also Mariner's Marina on E.Bay Ave in Barnegat sell's trailer's wholesale to the public. May even have some scratch and dent specials to save you a few bucks.

[Hotrod]

Yea..  Very good points Matt.

[wb]

good luck with your new boat

get the trailer, you need it anyway. you can make the trip anytime you want to do it.

[Woodstock]

Thanks for all the help and advice. Went with the trailer from Camp. Was a pleasure doing business with them..

[Hunter 2]

Nice bunk trailer.  Good luck with it

[Woodstock]

Thanks! Did the trip today. 100 miles each way. Trailer was great. Not much traffic at all. Haven't piloted a boat with twins since my Father's 42' sportfisher 25 years ago. Felt good.

[Hotrod]

Glad you made out well

[Woodstock]

Thanks! Honorable mention to Lenny's transport. Was very helpful all around. I just figured putting that money towards the trailer was a better investment.  Although using the word investment when discussing boats is a bit of a stretch. 

[Woodstock]

Also, Matt, as always, your knowledge and help is beyond compare. 

[Hunter 2]

So Lenny helped you out somehow?    Nice boat too.  I have a 1972 Chris Craft still running strong.  Lenny's set up my trailer and loaded the boat on it from dry dock.

[fluke - u]

  .. Nice looking ride, Good luck with it.