After the virus, what adventure awaits?

You caught in the other thread that you may not be able to get through the canal at this time?

New boat delivery was delayed from end of April, to end of June. Origionally the plan was to take it down in June. Now that's in August (tentatively). The title is "After the virus, What is the next adventure?"

Right now we just trying to figure out the logistics of getting to our boat in FL and bringing her to New England while respecting the letter and spirit of all the new rules.

NY area will peak in a week or two, FL will peak +/- 3 weeks later. I don’t want to go too soon or too late. But maybe it’s too late already.

The hardest part right now is making the decision to actually get to an airport and on a plane where we will have more exposure than we’ve had in 3 weeks. Assuming we survive that, the rest is pretty easy. We can maintain quarantine on the boat, with groceries delivered when we arrive, and only needing to touch land 1-2 times for water and fuel.

As for the summer, I imagine more anchoring out and meals cooked aboard with only family or the closest of friends. Actually sounds pretty idyllic.

FYI, I believe the Chesapeake Bay , at least in Md. is not allowing ANY recreational boating what so ever . So you will have to go outside the entire way up.
I read this from my old yards email on the bay. Sorry I deleted it.
Double check with Maryland Dept of Natural Resources police web site.

Cleanslate: Thanks for this info. We normally stop for fuel in Coinjock, NC or Norfolk, VA and run to Cape May, NJ the next day. If we top off in Norfolk, we can make it home on one tank of fuel.

it’s the flying that’s giving me pause right now. Also, feeling a bit of pressure to leave my slip in FL by May 15th. After that date I incur daily dockage fees.

You'll have to pay dockage of course, but there's no shortage of dockage in Fl. during summer. Maybe the best course to just leave it in Fl. for the summer or at least until this crisis has past. Too many variables like will you have to quarantine in Fl. and again when you get it north ( a month lost), maybe in some states in between or will you find fuel docks open. Then there's the exposure on the airplane. Despite all the forecasts and guesses this could go on for the next year or more. You may move the boat and still not get to use it.

Dockage yes, and insurance if I can even get it for an unattended vessel during hurricane season. Or pay a captain and a hurricane hole or all of the above. This is an option of course, but not the most ideal for me.

If we can muster the courage to fly down in April/May we will be quarantined on the boat as soon as we arrive in FL with no contact to outsiders. This seems to follow the current rules for flights coming from NY. The quarantine allows us to move the boat (except in MD, which we will skip). Fuel stops along the way are still open with some restrictions. Obviously distancing and wearing PPE when in contact with dock staff. We really only NEED one fuel stop somewhere near Hatteras, but like to top off daily if possible. We also don’t have a watermaker, so it’s salt water showers and paper plates unless we can get water by day 5. As for quarantine, i think we only need 2 weeks total. The boat trip will take 6-10 days and once we get home, it’s easy. Our own car from the marina to the house where we wait out a total of full two weeks of isolation.

But re-reading this I sound a bit nutty.

That's the world we're in. Nutty is normal.

Thanks Pascal and others, these replies are very helpful. Driving is one of the options we are considering. We actually have a car reserved for this Friday along with plane tickets. One or both will be cancelled later this week.

I don't know, I'd tend to wait, things are probably going to get worse before they get better.

I think even considering doing it anytime soon is very foolish and undertaking unnecessary risk.

The Queen strikes just the right note.

Sea Gull; fresh up-date! Was at my boat doing work today and had a chance to chat with a boat that just came in yesterday heading north to Maine, 60 ft trawler, anyway if you and your boat reside in Maryland , they will stop you she told me. The Coast Guard was out on the bay, checking vessels with MD hailing ports along with smaller fishing boats and sending people back in , but they never got bothered . Maine is clearly marked on the transom.

Let me know when you maybe in C.M. I might be around and can say hello, all be it from 6+feet away, otherwise I would treat you and your crew to a drink on the Schooner if you have the time.

I just though of something that we take for granted; bridge tenders, are they working? Maybe now, but perhaps not in a week or two. Maybe not even now in some states.
That could REALLY mess up your trip.

What Pascal said, work it out with your current marina, or more the boat somewhere else near by via a hired Capt. or close friend who you know can run the boat. It's just to much pressure IMO.

I add to that. How do you value your boat vs. your health and life? People run to their boats in hurricanes and lose their life trying to save their boat. Now I'm sure people will do so with Covid 19 around us. I will never risk my health and life for my boat. Now, one can argue in this case about the level of risk, but even that is part of the problem, you really don't know how much exposure you'll have trying this.