Towing a large boat?

Towing it with what?
Whats wrong with the 53's engines?

During a repower time I once towed my then 38 Bertram to and from a local yard (about 6 miles each way). At that time I had two other boats so the tow was a 28 Cigarette and the aft boat a 20' Cigarette. Also once towed a 30' Sea Ray from South Miami to Ft. Laud with only my then 38 Bertram.
No idea where in Fl. your at but I've seen many small tug boats towing mega yachts up & down the Middle River in Ft. Laud. You may want to speak with the two membership tow companies for starters.

So, your not planning to use your bass boat. Good.
This tow will require a tow boat with torque to pull your 53 safely AND a near equal powered drag boat to stop her and guide the stern thru bridges and narrow turns.
This is not a tow chain or tow-bar on the road by a couple of red-necks (hold my beer) but a multi dimensional and hydraulic movement of mass.
Fair warning, this is not easy.
Please contact a tow vendor (Sea-Tow, Boat US, Vessel assist) for there estimates on moving her.

It may be cheaper to get her self propelled where she lays now. If this is a purchase; Run Forest, Run..

I see boats your size get towed regularly in the Ft Lauderdale area. It seems the tow boat companies often use twin engine large RIBs, over 20 ft. I guess if you have access to two boats of that type, and had good communications and towing hardware, it could be done in calm conditions and hopefully you dont have to go up any tight rivers. As mentioned, call the tow companies and get a quote, my guess is it will be many thousands and you might think about putting some real money into the engines to get them running where it sits. Even having one engine running could make the voyage doable.

A few years ago I had to tow my 53 to the yard to repower. It was a couple of hours, up the bay from Coconut grove into the Miami River. The commercial towers (sea tow, towboatus etc) quoted me between $2500 and $3000 for two boats.

I ended up finding a buddy of a buddy with a 20’ single engine CC willing to do it for $500…. It didn’t start well as the cleats location wouldn’t allow enough control. I ended up doing a hip tow for propulsion with my wife steering from the bow with a 15’ dinghy.

it worked out but there was some white knuckles moment up the river going thru bridges…

so, I can’t imagine what a 200 mile tow will cost. It will be a 40 - 50 hours job!

LOL........the "Hold My Beer" at least Red-Necks usually would have a boat surveyed even if was by their kinfolk

Not started in years? Two major engine/trans/ turbo rebuilds plus electrical, toilets, plumbing, a/c, carpet, paint, fuel tank cleaning--water tank--waste tank, nav--electronics, etc. If that's the same one I saw for sale. Maybe you can buy it for 5 grand. I wouldn't spend 20k on a haul plus everything else. I bet you can find a nice one for the same money and not have to do the work.

That may be an issue.
Unless you moving to a private dock and your neighbors don't complain;
FL law states boats must be self propelled on some schedule.

I m pretty sure that’s only for anchored vessels, not if docked

Guy up river had to prove his derelict, eyesore & docked boat was self propelled.

So did the guy I mentioned.

It will only take a few phone calls for you to check your local conditions with the local hood, city, county and the state before you go thru this expensive stuff.

We own our lot and dock here.
5 years ago, the county and state were checking us out when we moored 75 and 58 foot boats to our new dock.
101 questions weekly until one day, they just stopped coming by.
#1 question, do they run?
Never once did anybody ask about sanitation.

I'm just trying to help another YF kid avoid any surprises. I'm not dictating law that I sometimes do not agree with.

Next concern I have with your non self propelled craft; insurability?
Again just trying to help keep surprises to a minimum. ☺

Finally
Where is it you need a tow from and where to?
Your required schedule?
I may offer an estimate.

This is what ChatGPT wrote:

If the 53-ft Vessel Does Not Run
1. Permission From Dock Owner Still Applies.
Whether the boat runs or not:

• You still must have the dock owner’s permission to keep it tied up.
  
  
• Without permission, it’s still trespass under Florida property law.
  

A broken or non-operational boat has no special right to remain at a private dock.

2. Non-Operational = Higher Risk of Enforcement
Florida and local authorities tend to scrutinize non-running vessels more closely, especially if they:

• Haven’t moved in a long time
  
  
• Appear abandoned or derelict
  
  
• Are poorly maintained, listing, or unsafe
  
  
• Obstruct navigation or neighboring docks
  

Even if the owner originally allowed docking, long-term non-use can change things.

⚠️ 3. Derelict Vessel Law (Big One)
Under Florida Statute 823.11, a vessel can be declared derelict if it is:

• Left in a wrecked, junked, or substantially dismantled condition
  
  
• Unable to navigate and not actively being repaired
  
  
• A hazard to navigation, the environment, or public safety
  

If authorities decide it qualifies:

• Law enforcement or FWC can tag it
  
  
• Owner is given notice to correct or remove
  
  
• If not corrected → impoundment, removal, fines, and lien costs
  

A non-running boat tied long-term to a private dock is one of the most common derelict-vessel scenarios in Florida.

4. Liveaboard / Storage Issues
If the non-running vessel is effectively being used as:

• Long-term storage
  
  
• A stationary residence
  
  
• A “parked” boat with no intent to operate
  

Then local ordinances often kick in:

• Many cities/counties prohibit long-term mooring or storage at private docks
  
  
• Some ban liveaboards outside permitted marinas
  
  
• Some limit how long a vessel may remain without movement
  

These are local, not state, rules — but they’re heavily enforced.