posted 01-11-2008 01:47 PM ET (US)        

Please provide any input as to how many mpg I could expect at cruising speed as well as WOT.

Additionally, from your point of view please provide input regarding both the plusses and minuses of transporting this boat via flatbed versus driving it (Wash DC to Daytona Beach, FL) including COST, risk, the time required to make this journey via water, and any other considerations.

Obviously, I am considerring driving the boat down the inter-coastal from DC to Daytona Beach, Florida with the help of friends. I have had both of the engines gone through thoroughy and they run very strongly, plus have low hours to begin with. I do have my USPS Cpatain's liscense and have consulted with one friend that has made the journey himself numerous times, however I have never undertaken something like this.

posted 01-11-2008 03:28 PM ET (US)            

I can't answer the cruising speed and WOT mpg question. However, I do have some input on the long trip.

I have a 98 285 Conquest and have made several long trips
250-300 miles each way. With your Capt's license, you are certainly qualified. The trip would be a great adventure. It really boils down to how much time you have. If you are not under any time constraints, I'd say drive the boat, you will have a great tour of the waterways. If you are on a time frame, have it shipped via carrier because it could become very stressful.

Not so Brief exmaple: On a trip from my house in Merritt Island, FL to Tavernier Key, I made the trip down, dock to dock in about 10 hours. It was roughly 275 miles and that included one stop to get some gas and cheeseburgers to go. I think we were in some type of rip current running wouth along the shoreline. The weather was awesome. Unfortunately, the trip home wasnt so nice. It took me about 10 hours to get to Delray Bch. from Tavernier Key. I ran offshore from Tavernier to Govt. Cut in Miami, then went inside because the seas started kicking. Aside from a few short spans, it's all no wake from Govt. Cut to Port Everglades in Ft. Laud. I couldn't take it anymore and came out at Port Everglades, it was still too bumpy offshore, so I came back inside at Hillsoboro Inlet in Pompano Bch. and got in the ICW. While in the ICW (no wake hell)in Boca Raton, two trucks crashed in the middle of a bridge (at Camino Real) that I was waiting to pass under. It took 2.5 hours for 2 tow trucks to come remove them. I arrived at my brother's dock in Delray Bch at 7pm., totally exhausted. The next day, I exited the Boynton Bch inlet at 8am. The forecast was for 20-25kt winds, but they were "supposed" to be out of the SW. That would make it an offhsore breeze, so it should have been slick calm within 1 mile of the shore line. That's what we thought. We exited the inlet, which is "treacherous, non-navigable on the chart" once you commit, if it's rough, you don't turn around. The inlet kicks you out at a 45 degree angle after you go under the bridge. I came around the bend and hit the thottle only to find 6-7 foot waves and the winds were ESE, not WSW. A wave came over the bow coming out of the inlet and soaked me and my wife. It was too rough to turn around. I took a SE heading directly into the waves until I got safely offshore and then headed north. The waves were easily 6-7 with about 4 second intervals. They were hitting me on the starboard side. The next inlet, Lake Worth was 15 miles north. I was not a fun ride, one hand on the wheel and one on the throttle the entire time. When we got inside Lake Worth inlet, we were back in "no wake zone hell". We made it to Jupiter by around noon, just before a real ugly storm hit. We left the boat at a marina and got a car ride home. I had to get a ride back the following weekend (because I had to work during the week). Then I drove my boat back home. So, a one day trip turned into a 3 day trip with nasty weather.

We knew that the weather wasnt supposed to be that good, but my boat is 30 feet with a full enclosure and twin 225's, and it's a Whaler, so we knew we'd be safe. It was just not pleasant.

In summary, If you have nothing but time, drive the boat. If the weather gets nasty, you find a nice marina and hit the pub. If you are on a restricted time frame, ship it.

posted 01-11-2008 04:12 PM ET (US)            

This was definitely the type of feedback that I'm looking for and I greatly appreciate it. The first leg of that trip sounds awesome, the second not so much. The Conquest 285 is a great boat that has incorporated some of the creature comforts that I wish the 27FC had while still maintaining the classic Whaler construction quality.

In regards to my potential trip, my ICW savy friend indicated that if everything went well I could make the voyage in three days but to allow myself five. With the understanding that I cannot control many aspects (weather, traffic at locks, bridge attendents that don't answer) I want to determine around how long it may take. Anyone have any feedback on the 5 day time frame and whether that is realistic?

Also, I had alloted approximately 3K for gas expenses if I do drive it down, (310 gallon tank, 800 mile trip, tank never going below 1/3 full). Does that seem reasonable?

In regards to the shipping option, I was quoted 2100$ not including the fees to load and unload the boat. Does this sound competitive to anyone that has shipped a boat before?

Thanks again for any feedback,
Chris

posted 01-11-2008 06:26 PM ET (US)            

For the shipping - I would post an ad on Uship.com - I have posted a few there in the past - you would be surprised at the variety of quotes you get. May save you a few bucks if you go that route - just make sure the driver is properly insured.

posted 01-14-2008 10:04 AM ET (US)            

When you stated: "I had alloted approximately 3K for gas expenses if I do drive it down, (310 gallon tank, 800 mile trip, tank never going below 1/3 full). Does that seem reasonable?"

I would say that you are fine. I know that you will have numerous no wake zones for miles and miles. That said, it's slow easy going in those areas and you're not burning a lot of gas like you do at WOT. You should at the very least get 1 mile per gallon. So you shouldnt have any issues at all. You will have gas money left over to apply to the beer find :)

I have 298 gallon tank and never go below 1/4 on trips. The good news is if your in the ICW the entire trip, you're never too far from a gas pump.

Load up on bottled water, sodas, snacks and ice. You wont have to stop as much. Take a camera, you will see a lot of cool stuff.

Have a great trip,