Moving a RT from out of state & using through winter

[vt97john]

Hello,

I'm looking at buying a used 29' ranger tug in the New England area and bringing it down to the Chesapeake Bay where I am based. I may not buy the boat unless I can come up with an economical way to move it down here to Maryland because I think the boat is priced a bit high as is (and not budging). Do you all have any ideas besides paying a yacht hauling service (i.e. trucking service which would cost $3k to $4k)? Should I look at hiring a captain to cruise the boat down and how much do you think that would cost? Or should I consider finding a Tug Nut who feels like cruising the boat down for me just for fun (i.e. I only pay for fuel, transient slips, etc)? Would have liability / insurance concerns with that of course. Any other ideas?

Also, since these boats have nice heating systems etc, can I use the boat straight through the winter and leave it in the water? In the brackish waters of the Chesapeake, there can be ice. Some people use bubblers. Would I just use a bubblier and with that, is there any downside to leaving it in the water regarding wear and tear etc? Also, people talk about winterizing their boats - but if I plan to use it at least once per week, then basically I don't have to winterize it right? What other winter concerns might I need to think about? One thing is that marina water might be shut off for winter ...

Thanks.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

Boating is two experiences; the joy of boating and the expense of boating,

First the joy: Because they're so well designed, because they're so well built, because they're so dependable, because their factory service is so steller Ranger Tugs are the most economical (joyful) boats going.

Now the expense: You say you’re going to pay too much for the boat and then ask how to bring it home in a fashion that’s perhaps not covered insurance wise.

You seem like a guy that knows the value of money, is good with a buck and I am too here in my 60s and a big part of my boating joy is avoiding expenses.

So take some pressure off yourself and expand your search for a more economical purchase by putting say, $7,000 in your mental boat transport budget and look nationwide for your Ranger.

Unless you buy it for too much likely that overpriced New England boat isn’t going anywhere, likely they're not going to raise the price, likely it’s not going to go up in value as time passes, winters coming, relax, there’s always at least a half dozen Rangers that meet your criteria on the market.

 

[gwishon]

FWIW, I just paid $3500 to have Summertime transported from Traverse City, Michigan to Apollo Beach, FL (on her own trailer). I would think it would cost less than that to move from New England to the Chesapeake Bay.

 

[captstu]

It is late in the season to move a 29’ Ranger south on her own bottom. Over the road requires a permit, kind of cumbersome but possible at $4 or so a mile.

Overwinter in the Chesapeake requires a bubbler and internal heat or winterizing. Do you plan to live on board? If so, think lots of heat, Diesel kind of heat.

I was uncomfortable with two large electric heaters and antifreeze in the head.

If you don’t plan to live on board, winterize and drystack,

In any case, only a few Marinas provide winter water and bubblers.

Did that for two winters and moved to Florida. State had room for one more boat.

There are excellent Ranger dealers further South.

 

[vt97john]

It is late in the season to move a 29’ Ranger south on her own bottom. Over the road requires a permit, kind of cumbersome but possible at $4 or so a mile.

Overwinter in the Chesapeake requires a bubbler and internal heat or winterizing. Do you plan to live on board? If so, think lots of heat, Diesel kind of heat.

I was uncomfortable with two large electric heaters and antifreeze in the head.

If you don’t plan to live on board, winterize and drystack,

In any case, only a few Marinas provide winter water and bubblers.

Did that for two winters and moved to Florida. State had room for one more boat.

There are excellent Ranger dealers further South.

I won’t be living aboard, but I’d like to cruise and fish a couple days per week through the winter. People and charters use their boats to fish in the winter on the Chesapeake so it must be doable. I don’t see myself using a lot of water, so that aspect should be ok. Are you saying I would just need a heater in the engine compartment while docked at the marina? While underway I’m assuming that me and the engine would have plenty of heat without any add-ons. Any other aspects of winterization I need to consider? What about water lines freezing?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[H28]

Have you quoted the shipping cost? Cost me $5k to ship my RT29 from Seattle to Racine, wisconsin. 2k miles

you have, what 500 miles?

fuel:
500 miles divided by say 1.3 = 384 gallons of diesel.
384 * 4 = 1,538k
384 * 3 = 1,154

how many marina stays?
travel cost?
Etc...

 

[captstu]

If you don’t plan to live on board, a normal winterization is sufficient. Drain all water lines and hot water heater plus winterize water system. Engine is ok thru the winter. I urge you dry stack or trailer store when not in use as the Chesapeake occasionally freezes beyond what bubblers can accommodate and ice can damage your Ranger.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796