Shipping to Florida

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Nancy & Hugo Shaw

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Joined
Jan 26, 2016
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Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Vessel Name
Dauntless
We are planning to do the Great Loop in our Ranger 29. Can you give us any information on how we can arrange to have our boat shipped either from Vancouver, BC or from Seattle to Ft Pierce Florida.

Would appreciate any advice - thank you
 
To save money ship the boat to the shortest distance from where you are to a spot on the loop much closer than Fort Pierce. This would mean your trip would start late summer and be on the inland rivers heading south.
 
If your shipping east for the loop will you be shipping west when you are complete? If so, as Mike points out, the shortest distance will save you money on both sides of the trip. Manitowac Marine in Manitowac Wisconsin is a great place and they are a Fluid Motion dealer, have a travel lift or ramp and marina. You could arrive as early as late May and cruise Canada’s North Channel and or Lake Michigan or as late as the end of August to start down the river system. You may have a good reason for starting in Florida so this may not work for you but if so it may be worth checking into. Another place to consider is Lighthouse Marina, in Kentucky, at the start of the Tennessee River. The owners are Cutwater owners and would be happy to welcome you.

Jim F
 
I can't comment on a good location to transport to in Florida but I would like to add to Mike and Jims suggestions. Most years starting in the Great Lakes region would be the perfect solution. Great Lake region compared to Florida is much closer to the PNW so transportation cost would be cheaper. Starting and finishing the Loop in say Georgian Bay or Lake Simcoe would reduce transpotation cost both ways. If you are planning on a 2020 start the Great Lake region would not be as desirable. The Illinois River Lock system is going through a major construction project starting the first week of July and ending the last week of October. Many of the locks will be completely shut down during this time. You could launch early enough in the Great Lake area to get through the lock closure but you would be missing the best time of year to enjoy the Great Lakes July and August. I would agree that Launching at Grand Rivers KY. and starting the Loop on Kentucky Lake would be a good area for a starting point and ending point of the loop. Reducing milage for transportation cost. With the added bonus of meeting Brenda and Marty who own and operate one of the nicest resorts on Kentucky Lake, Light House Landing. (28 Cutwater Snap Shot) and an additional bonus of getting a pre trip briefing from Libby and Ron Johnson (R 25 Ranger Tug O' My Heart). Their boat is moored there during the summer months. We will be continuing our segment loop trip from KY. next fall. Pickwick Lake to Florida. We are on the 5 year plan! Good luck and have fun with your adventure, cruising the Great Loop!
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We are rethinking out staring point and now are planning to start in Lake Simcoe around July 1st 2021. So will want to find a marina near there to ship our R29.

We spent 25 years boating around Parry Sound and love Georgian Bay so plan to spend a lot of time in that area when we first start our Trip.

Thanks again

Hugo & Mamcy
 
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