Pat T
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2019
- Messages
- 224
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Moondance
- Vessel Make
- Grand Banks CL 42
Requesting your expertise (again) for moving our new, used boat from Essex CT to Racine WI. This vessel is a 2001 Grand Banks 42 Classic with twin CAT’s 435HP and bow thruster.
Boating Experience - 25 years sailing - last boat Catalina 36. All on lower Lake Michigan. I did most of the maintenance myself. I have been out in some challenging weather at times - 30+ kts and better than 10 ft waves. Only dual engine was limited in a sailing cat in BVI. Also chartered 44 & 50 ft mono sailboat in BVI.
I will soon get some piloting lessons from a person who knows the GB42. I have Admiral and good sailing friend (a good diesel guy too) along for the entire trip home. I’ve had all filters, oil, impellers changed. I plan to have spares aboard. I am going to purchase a couple of the round type fenders for the Erie Canal locks. I have updated my Navionics. I have back-up hand-held GPS and VHF.
We plan to leave Memorial Day and spend 2 days on the Long Island Sound overnighting near New Rochelle, NY before transiting the East River to the Hudson River. I plan to arrive at Hells Gate about slack tide. Three days on the Hudson. Eight days on the Erie Canal. Then it is mostly Great Lakes – Erie, Huron, Michigan - traveling. I will wait out any weather I am not comfortable with.
So I’ve done a lot of internet research and watched a few dozen you tubes. I have read through my boat manuals. I have purchased a couple of Skipper Bob's publications as well as the Looper's Companion Guide. If I have any concerns, it is that I have not had to deal with tides or currents in my past. Never had to deal with a lot of commercial traffic either. I do not know the waters I am transiting (except for Lake Michigan) so if you have favorite harbors along the way I would like to know about them. There is a possibility I may not have a working generator (another thread) so electrical hook-up at marina is a plus. Now I am asking the group for advice in what I am missing or possibly forgetting? Thanks again.
Boating Experience - 25 years sailing - last boat Catalina 36. All on lower Lake Michigan. I did most of the maintenance myself. I have been out in some challenging weather at times - 30+ kts and better than 10 ft waves. Only dual engine was limited in a sailing cat in BVI. Also chartered 44 & 50 ft mono sailboat in BVI.
I will soon get some piloting lessons from a person who knows the GB42. I have Admiral and good sailing friend (a good diesel guy too) along for the entire trip home. I’ve had all filters, oil, impellers changed. I plan to have spares aboard. I am going to purchase a couple of the round type fenders for the Erie Canal locks. I have updated my Navionics. I have back-up hand-held GPS and VHF.
We plan to leave Memorial Day and spend 2 days on the Long Island Sound overnighting near New Rochelle, NY before transiting the East River to the Hudson River. I plan to arrive at Hells Gate about slack tide. Three days on the Hudson. Eight days on the Erie Canal. Then it is mostly Great Lakes – Erie, Huron, Michigan - traveling. I will wait out any weather I am not comfortable with.
So I’ve done a lot of internet research and watched a few dozen you tubes. I have read through my boat manuals. I have purchased a couple of Skipper Bob's publications as well as the Looper's Companion Guide. If I have any concerns, it is that I have not had to deal with tides or currents in my past. Never had to deal with a lot of commercial traffic either. I do not know the waters I am transiting (except for Lake Michigan) so if you have favorite harbors along the way I would like to know about them. There is a possibility I may not have a working generator (another thread) so electrical hook-up at marina is a plus. Now I am asking the group for advice in what I am missing or possibly forgetting? Thanks again.