Annual Migration

[captd]

Thanks for the offer Jim. The deck is open for the deal this winter. We are not sure if Dee is going for the knee operation or not. If you get up toward Ocala let us know and we will plan for the same party.
Darrel

 

[JerryE]

Well we got Alto (a new leftover '09 R25 with the 150hp Yanmar) to Sanford Boat Works & Marina on the St. Johns River. That's in Florida just north of Orlando. Gail and I spent last week outfitting her and going up the river for our first run. We had the pleasure of meeting up with Larry and Cathy on Ainokea. Here we are berthed next to each other at Hontoon Resort & Marina. You can see Hontoon Island (a state park) behind the boats. Larry's knowledge about the boat's mechanical systems is worth a trip to meet him, and his wife Cathy has modified their R25 in many ways to make it a small but comfortable home. We both have Phifertex front window covers to cut down (up to 90%) on incoming Florida sunshine. Here we are together:

All we're missing is captd from the Lucky Fin who is threatening to visit the St. Johns River again. Larry and I are both hoping to have a major (well at least 3 boats, anyway) rendezvous this summer on the river! All would be welcome, of course. For those who are more curious I've started a blog about Alto's adventures called: http://altosadventures.blogspot.com/

 

[Levitation]

Everyone needs to go to his blogspot and look at the photo in the January 7 entry... Mind boggling - and we worry about pulling one boat... Or a thought just hit me - I bet that is the dingy for ALTO.... I just can't wait for the photos of him hoisting onto the sports rack!

 

[RProffer]

That was the same guy (and his wife) that delivered my tug last April. He is driving a Chevy 3500 Duramax and towed a R21 and R29 across the northern route through the mountains from Seattle to Annapolis through 3 snow storms. I talked with him and he said he was able to do the speed limit the whole trip. I asked him how the truck handled with the R21 on top. He said it actually handled the curves, turns, etc. better and had a smoother ride than without the boat on top. My sister is a horse trainer and drives a GMC Duramax pulling a six-horse horse trailer all over the country going to horse shows. The Duramax is the first truck she has owned that did not over heat pulling that load through the mountains or the desert. That is a tough truck.

 

[JerryE]

denny-o,
Here's a bit more information on Cory who owns Sharp Yacht Transport: http://www.sharpyachtstransport.com/ He was recommended to me by the Ranger dealer in Salem, NH. Imagine my surprise when I called him to move Alto from the Ranger dealer in Mobile, AL to Florida, and he told me he had brought my boat to Turner Marine from the factory. He does most of the factory moves, delivers the boats to the shows and played a role in developing the new Cutwater boats.

I figured his knowledge with Rangers would minimize any harm to the boat. That thinking paid off. Paul Sharp picked up my boat in Alabama (5 days early BTW), and filled it with diesel along the way at a truck stop. He took it to the marina in Sanford, dropped it in the water and drove it into the slip, deployed the fenders, plugged it in, and made sure the batteries were charging–all while I was sitting in Massachusetts! No extra charge for any of this. I had planned to pay the marina $85/hour for all this, but I didn't have to thanks to Sharp.

Nice folks who know what they are doing! You're right about the amazing pictures of Sharp hauling multiple tugs, check ou their gallery: http://www.sharpyachtstransport.com/gallery
Jerry

 

[BeaconBluff]

Ok, has anyone heard from Capt D? I really enjoyed his posts last year at this time. He helped me get through a long, snowy, Western NY winter. I miss him.
Beacon Bluff of the
"Waite & Sea"