Aaaannnnd.............Stop. (Boating season ends)

As for insurance, I called my insurance (BoatUS), and they are not charging any extra, as long as FL is not the "primary" place of use. But, do tell them what you plan to do,...and even if they charge you a little more, it woun't be that much more. Just make sure you tell them your plans, where you will keep it, etc. Rickenbacker required that my insurance name them as additional insured. BoatUS had no problem sending a coverage page to Rickenbacker.
 
I don't know what your tow vehicle is, but if it's diesel, then go to the truck stops for the freshest fuel, best prices, and best maneuevering room. Even the gas pumps at the truck stops usually have more room than most regualr gas stations.

The cheapest fuel prices overall will be found in southern and central VA,, or in SC, or in GA. Northern VA, NC, and FL are higher than the aforementioned places. You home turf of NJ usually has good prices, too.

A few fuel stops that come to mind are:

Flying J at exit 104 in Carmel Church, VA, which is a little north of the Richmond by-pass.

Sadler Travel plaza truck stop at exit 11 in Emporia, VA

Love's Truck stop at exit 4 in Skippers, VA

I have a list of other fuel stops, but not with me right now. There are lots of truck stops aalong I-95 in the south.

You can go to the websites of Flying J, Love's, and Pilot truck stops, and print out there locations ahead of time, if you'd like.

When you go to Largo near Clearwater, you might want to ignore your GPS or mapping program. The GPSs want to take you on US 301, which cuts the corner from Jacksonville toward Gainesville. That can be a pain towing, as it has lots of lights and small towns.....and the infamous speed trap of Waldo, FL.
Instead, I just keep going down 95 to Daytona, and then take I-4 across the state to the Tampa aarea. I think it adds about 25 miles, but removes lots of aggravation of traffic lights along 301 in the small towns.

Last year, before we went to SoFL, we towed to the Tampa area to visit the in-laws. Take I-95 to I-4.
 
I'd like to move ours South to one of the inland rivers off the ICW. Is freezing a problem there? I'd like some ideas and marinas to check out. This is unless I do some really major work on the boat over the winter at my marina.
Bill
 
Bob, we do a 24 hour trip to the middle of FL from central MD (Baltimore area to Ft. Pierce area). We stop about twice on the way down for a couple hour nap, and for some reason only once on the way back. It's actually not that bad of a trip (especially for the rewards). We've got too many valuables in the boat to leave it for any length of time on the hard in a parking lot (don't sneak up on me when I'm napping or you might meet Mr. Mossberg Mariner :-)

Bill - You should try a winter in downtown Baltimore. Wes (on this forum) will take care of you at Inner Harbor East Marina downtown. They've got bubblers and are very well protected in a wonderful location. This is our favorite off-season destination (I'm typing this on the boat from slip A-35 at IHE right now - - Yes, WE'RE OUT and ABOUT! - - the season continues on the Chesapeake!!).

http://www.innerharboreast.net (I host their website on one of my servers....a work in progress...)
 
Kurt I really would like to be further South. I want to be able to use the boat not winterize it. I have a few boatsafe heaters I never installed. The way we soak up current I'd need a 3rd 30amp stand alone panel for the heaters. I figure I would need 3 in total. I also wonder what that Baltimore marina would charge for 4 months with power/water and hopefully pump out.
Bill
 
Glenn,

Thanks for the great information. I have a 2002 Dodge Ram gas engine so won't be needing diesel but I hear you on using the truck stops for better manuevarability.

I've already decided if I do this trip to purchase a bed cover for the truck...it should help with gas mileage and I've been meaning to get one anyway.

I don't like traffic so I would much rather go a little farther at highway speeds than sit in traffic at lights in town, so I will double check the routes before going.

I need to decide this week..the marina needs to know before my boat gets boxed in at the dry stack for the winter.
 
Bill,

I don't winterize. My outboards are self-draining, so that's not an issue. I then keep the Purasan above freezing in the forward port sponson with an Xtreme engine room heater, and the cabin above freezing with another Xtreme heater. Both of those as well as the heaters in the water tank run off my single 30 amp connection. Do the BoatSafe heaters really draw that much?

As for pricing, I happen to have Inner Harbor East's list right here with me. 40ft slip from Oct 15 - May 14 is $328/month plus metered electric. There's a local pumpout boat that I think operates all year long, but can't you just use your Purasan if you've got the heaters going?
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

....Bill - You should try a winter in downtown Baltimore. Wes (on this forum) will take care of you at Inner Harbor East Marina downtown. They've got bubblers and are very well protected in a wonderful location. This is our favorite off-season destination (I'm typing this on the boat from slip A-35 at IHE right now - - Yes, WE'RE OUT and ABOUT! - - the season continues on the Chesapeake!!).

http://www.innerharboreast.net (I host their website on one of my servers....a work in progress...)

Click to expand...

quote:
Originally posted by mixman

As for pricing, I happen to have Inner Harbor East's list right here with me. 40ft slip from Oct 15 - May 14 is $328/month plus metered electric. There's a local pumpout boat that I think operates all year long, but can't you just use your Purasan if you've got the heaters going?

Click to expand...


Thanks for the kind words Kurt. I think there is a rule against self-promotion on this site so I won't get into details...but anyway, I hope dinner at Roy's went well.

Wes
 
Kurt thanks for the information. Perhaps next year. But seriously I don't want anyone getting trouble for answering a question I asked. I may have finally found a way to do what I have always wanted on my boat. I won't say more because everyone has heard the story at least 4 times. However this time it might happen. One word plural Yanmars.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

Bob -

I do it in two days, with one night over on the way down. I generally stay overnight in SC, and have a few hotels in mind that I know have good turn-aound room for trailers. Actually, in the Carolinas, most hotels just off the interstate have lots of room.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Click to expand...


Glenn,

I am doing the trip...my plan is to leave Wednesday or Thursday of next week. I would like to get the majority of the trip done on the first day. I would appreciate any suggestions on hotels that would have the turnaround and parking space for my trailer. I'm sure I'll have a few more questions beofre I leave. Thanks in advance.
 
Bob -

Great that you are doing the trip! Here are a few of the places I have stopped on previous trips that have turnaround room. I am a memner of the Holiday Inn Express frequent stay program (called "Priority Club"), so they are all HI Express places I'm listing below.

Florence, SC, which is about 30 miles into SC, has a couple HI Expresses, but only one has the good turnaround. It is the HI Express at I-95 Exit #170. If you have a GPS, punch in 2101 Florence-Harllee Blvd., Florence, SC. Monster parking lot with lots of room along the right side for RVs, etc.

About another 51 miles down the road there is a HI Express in Manning, SC. It's a little tight, but the parking lot does completely encircle the building. You can usually find a row of unused spaces on the outer edge. This is an older place compared to most HI Expresses, and it has exterior door entrances, but it is not bad, and it was pretty cheap to stay. It's off I-95 Exit #119 in Manning, SC. The address for a GPS is 2201 Raccoon Rd., Manning, SC.

About another 111 miles down the road is Hardeeville, SC, near the bottom of SC. If you make it to Hardeeville on the first day, you're in really good shape. It's only about 120 miles to the FL line from there. There is a Holiday Inn Express at I-95 Exit 8 in Hardeeville, SC. The parking lot does NOT encirle the building, so don't try to go around it. But, there is lots of room in front. The hotel is set back behind a gas stattion / convenience store, and you can circle around the back of the convenience store, which circles past the front of the hotel. The best place to park is to the right side of the parking lot (right side perspective as you are facing the hotel). The address of this HI Express is 145 Independence Blvd., Hardeeville, SC.

Regarding driving through the Washington, DC area, I go out to Warrenton, VA on Rt 29. and then take US 17 to Fredericksburg. That makes sense for me, as I am already starting quite a bit west of Washington. It probably wouldn't make sense for you. If I were you, I would consider taking US 301 down the Eastern Shore, then cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and take 301 down thorugh MD until you cross the 301 Bridge over the Potomac to Dahlgren, VA. Follow 301 south to I-95, and you will get onto I-95 well south of Fredericksburg and all the traffic mess of Washington, DC area. Look at that route on the map, and you'll see what I mean. Under any circumstances, do not try to go through the Washington, DC area during rush hours.

Have a great trip. Let me know if you have more questions. I'll be out of town tonight, and might or might not get back on line. Either way, I'll check in by later on Sunday.
 
quote:
Originally posted by westrong
Thanks for the kind words Kurt. I think there is a rule against self-promotion on this site so I won't get into details...but anyway, I hope dinner at Roy's went well. Wes

Click to expand...


Wes, when is dinner at Roy's bad? :-)

For those that don't know, we're talking about the Four Star http://www.roysrestaurant.com/ which is less than a block from where Wes works at http://www.innerharboreast.net

Great marina. Great restaurant.

We had a great time last weekend. We'll see you again darn soon.
 
Bob - Here's another thought. Of the two days you are thinking of leaving, you might want to go Wednesday. That's Veteran's day. The government workers will be off, so the Wash DC area commute will be a bit lighter.
 
That's something to consider! All traffic will be generally lighter on Wednesday. All depends on how much I can done at work before I leave.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

quote:
Originally posted by westrong
Thanks for the kind words Kurt. I think there is a rule against self-promotion on this site so I won't get into details...but anyway, I hope dinner at Roy's went well. Wes

Click to expand...


Wes, when is dinner at Roy's bad? :-)

For those that don't know, we're talking about the Four Star http://www.roysrestaurant.com/ which is less than a block from where Wes works at http://www.innerharboreast.net

Great marina. Great restaurant.

We had a great time last weekend. We'll see you again darn soon.

Click to expand...


Good point about Roy's...

I just had some calamari there. It was unbelievable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top