Would You?

[Coastie54]

We are located in the PNW and looking for a 'trawler' in the 32 to 35 foot range. Things like: IG32, GB32. Nordic Tug 32, Mariner Orien 34, AT34, Mainship 34, etc.
We have 30+ yrs experience on sailboats to 36 ft (Seattle to Alaska), but no power boat experience.
Although we would hope to find a boat here in the PNW there are several interesting vessels in California.

Would you bring a new-to-you used boat up the coast from California??

Interested to hear comments.

 

[sjisailor]

My answer to the question about bringing from California is "yes, pick a good weather window", and also, "do a good shakedown cruise first."

As for models, I would be partial to GB, AT, NT. Just me. The big questions are (1) the price range you prefer, and (2) the min and max lengths acceptable (e.g. American Tug 34 is more like 40' LOA depending on outfitting). Of course length and price are related. There are some nice GBs that are much more affordable than NT or AT because they're older.

 

[Portage_Bay]

I would have no problems bringing a well found boat up the coast. Watch the weather. Don't make the transit to a schedule. All the usual recommendations.

The biggest hurdle is buying long distance. It takes me several visits to a boat before I make an offer and take her to survey.

 

[Mainship Pilot]

Point Conception is your biggest hurdle from So Cal, once you round that bend, you can tuck in pretty close to shore, and are within a 1/2 day away from any port beyond there, untill you get north of SF.

 

[ksanders]

I've driven two new to me boats from the Seattle area to my home ports in Whittier, ans Seward Alaska.

It's not a problem for a boat in good condition.

 

[tiltrider1]

The answer is yes but, your insurance is going to require you hire a captain. I have done this trip and I don’t agree with the advice about how easy it is. It’s easy until it’s not.

When I make the trip I have a weather plan, a fueling plan, and parts delivery plan. Then reality hits and you make adjustments.

I think it’s reasonable to bring a boat from LA to PNW on Its own bottom with at least one experience person on board who knows when not to attempt a bar crossing.

 

[READY]

I would only bring a new to me boat on a long transit in open water if I had some time to go through the vessel and evaluate readiness. Many boats for sale have deferred maintenance. Also the Pacific has a way of shaking up any crud in fuel tanks so at the very lease bring extra filters.

 

[Snapdragon III]

If the boat is new to you, and you are not 100% confident about its systems I would have it brought up on a truck. Should be no problem in that size range. Of coarse you can bring it up on it's own bottom if the adventure sounds like fun.

 

[Osprey69]

We did a East coast version of that trip. South from CT to FL. First time running boat. But went through it thoroughly before we left, but mostly on the hard. Left late November, so potentially very challenging. It did work because even though I have 50 years experience sailing, my concerns were weather, Navigation and break-downs and our trying to do it all ourselves and not get fatigued or overwhelmed So I brought along my two weather/navigation nerd sailing buddies (also experienced sailors) who allowed me to focus on piloting/logistics/fixing stuff and overall planning. Thanks goodness because we had to dance between intense lows to get below the frost lines before the butter froze...

 

[High Wire]

Absolutely yes with a good weather window.

 

[Lepke]

To make a timely trip you'll have to travel in some marginal weather. The prevailing winds after a storm, are from the NW until north of the Columbia River where they become more westerly. So you'll be heading into swells all the way. It can be uncomfortable in a small boat. But fishermen do it every day.

 

[Mac2]

You mentioned 30 years of sailing experience. How much experience with diesel engines? Have you made the run in a sailboat? I would think this run would be easier and safer (being inside the boat) in a power boat, but you don't have the backup of the engine/sails. It's all about the engine. If I was in your position and relying on how someone else setup the boat I would look for the following: Maintenance records. Fuel system-fuel polishing system. Dual pre fuel filters on the engine with a vacuum gauge. Engine alarms-on the exhaust, raw water intake, oil pressure, coolant temp. etc. I even go to the extent of adding a oil polishing filter on all my diesel engines. The alarms will not only give you a warning to prevent a disaster, but will also add to your confidence and reduce stress levels for sure. I think it also speaks to the type of boat owner you are buying from. Good luck on your search.

 

[Comodave]

About 20+ years ago I bought a 46’ trawler in the Puget Sound area. Spent about 4 weeks or so tuning it up and then ran it down to LA. Had to leave it in Eureka for a month due to weather and then my schedule. It was an fun trip. Had a stop solenoid burn out due to one of the crew not listening to instructions, can’t fix stupid…. But other than that had no issues whatsoever. He had to go into the engine room and manually shutdown that engine for the rest of the trip though.

We also brought a 41’ trawler home from Virginia to Michigan. Again I spent several weeks working on the boat. Spent 45 days bringing that one home and had absolutely no problems at all. Did the TSW, awesome.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I agree. Plan on spending a month or 2 doing sea trials, changing impellers, oil, filters, verifying systems, learning how the vessel handles.

As my captain taught, "if you don't know when it was last serviced, the time is now"

 

[SteveK]

If you want the experience of a coastal trip, then by all means yes. But?

I have bought two boats in the past 6 years, the first was my bucket list GB36 woodie, then the current one which meets my needs. Both of them were bought in the Salish sea. In that context, I would be very surprised the boat of your dreams is only available in California.

 

[Coastie54]

Did finally find a great boat here in the PNW... so the question now is only rhetorical, Thanks for all the responses!