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Assistance in Ft Lauderdale

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by RossC, Aug 13, 2023.

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  1. RossC, Aug 13, 2023
    #1
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    Rehoboth Beach, DE
    Anyone in Ft Lauderdale that would be willing to assist in getting a 44 sea ray from its dock out to the ICW? It is at a residence on Tortugas Lane. It is very tight getting it out and it just me and the wife. A third hand just for the few miles out to the ICW would be very helpful.

    If interested please let me know how much you would charge. Planning on leaving Wednesday morning 9am or so. Will need to fuel up so you could hop off at wherever we get fuel.

    Thanks
  2. Norseman, Aug 13, 2023
    #2
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Consider a fuel truck to deliver fuel right at the dock: I used these guys:
    https://fuelufast.com/

    Wish I could help getting the boat out, but left Fort Lauderdale last year.
    Make sure you leave the dock early and @ high tide: Less wind and less boat traffic
    at 06:30 and the bridges are not locked down for rush hour road traffic yet.
  3. CaptTom, Aug 13, 2023
    #3
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    Hi Ross,
    From the satellite view that is a very narrow canal, way up the river. Do you plan on returning to the same slip?
    Do you have experience running the New River or looking for a lesson that day? Will be helpful to know your air draft so you don't have to wait for bridges unnecessarily.
  4. RossC, Aug 13, 2023
    #4
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    We are about 18’, maybe a little less but 18 is safe. On my 2 sea trials with the broker, we went under a few bridges. We are heading north so not returning to the dock. My experience on this river is with the broker. We made 2 round trips out to the inlet and back. I have experience with similar size boats but it’s been a few years and this is a new boat ( new to me). Maneuvering in tight quarters with an unfamiliar boat makes me a little nervous.

    I was thinking if I could get Someone to assist out to a marina where we can fuel up, I can take it from there. The canal it’s docked in is what really makes me nervous. Narrow canal with big boats on both sides. Maybe learn a little along the way too.
  5. RossC, Aug 13, 2023
    #5
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    broker rents this dock from the homeowner and isn’t thrilled about fueling at the dock.
  6. Pascal, Aug 13, 2023
    #6
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    As long as you have the space to turn the boat around it’s no big deal. Have you asked the broker for help or a recommendation?
  7. RossC, Aug 13, 2023
    #7
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    Broker is out of town. The boat is pointed on the right direction. When we came back from we trials he turned it around.
  8. Pascal, Aug 13, 2023
    #8
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Don’t let a narrow canal intimidate you…. I mean it s great that you re seeking assistance but once you get over the “oh s - - t “ this is big moment you ll realize there isn’t much to it. If you can’t find anyone, just do it.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  9. Norseman, Aug 13, 2023
    #9
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yeah, if the boat is already turned you are in good shape.
    There is a fuel dock just before the I-95 bridge. If it is not open yet in the morning, there is Bahia Mar and a few others on the ICW.
    LM Viking likes this.
  10. CaptTom, Aug 13, 2023
    #10
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    Ross, sent you a note.
  11. rtrafford, Aug 14, 2023
    #11
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Those narrow canals....bump her in and out of gear. Try to drift forward more than you push her. The prop wash will pull the moored boats to you, making the pass more narrow. Not as anxious in reality as it appears....
  12. RossC, Aug 14, 2023
    #12
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    Probably worrying for nothing. A few years ago we lived in a waterfront community in Delaware. Narrow canals and I had a 30ft Scarab CC with twin OB’s. I had to wait till high tide to go in and out and had less than a foot clearance on each side. I have more room than that here and this boat is way more maneuverable.
  13. CaptTom, Aug 19, 2023
    #13
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    So I helped Ross and his wife with their departure today. Although boating since a kid, I understand why Ross wanted an extra set of hands and eyes. The canal was tight, he was on a "new to them" yacht so not fully experienced with the steering response and prop bite, and he got help with the lines and fenders.
    More importantly, we are new friends. Ross and Cindy are great, charming folks, enjoying cruising together and looking forward to their new adventure of heading to MD. They have the cutest St. Bernard dog with them (still small). I hated leaving them but sure they will have no problem making their way to their home port with their new ride. I did mention stopping at Coinjock Marina for that 32 oz. prime rib. Calm seas, friends!
    Jklotz, SeaLion, Tams and 6 others like this.
  14. Pascal, Aug 19, 2023
    #14
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Glad to hear! Ross and Cindy, Hope you have an uneventful trip!
    RossC and Capt Ralph like this.
  15. YachtForums, Aug 19, 2023
    #15
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I think Ross got more than he bargained for when Tom offered assistance. For those who don't know Tom, he's one of the hardest working guys in our industry. When he's not shooting yachts, he's writing about them. And for many years, he did this while working full-time in a completely different industry. Tom has worked for Yachting Magazine, Passagemaker, Southern Boating, Lakeland Boating, the Triton and possibly Hustler because his pictures border on yacht porn. In addition, he also works for the USSA covering their networking events and the MIASF covering a little boat show known as FLIBS.

    Here's some examples of his digital escapades...

    https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/tom-serio-photography.33815/

    ***
    Ward and unsinker like this.
  16. StillLearning, Aug 20, 2023
    #16
    StillLearning

    StillLearning Member

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    New boat to the owner. No experience base of handling characteristics of that boat. Coming out of an incredibly tight river area, that their may not have been a lot of experience with.

    I think this was incredibly smart on RossC's part.
    CaptTom and LM Viking like this.
  17. CaptTom, Aug 20, 2023
    #17
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    Carl, you are one of my biggest cheerleaders, always supporting my efforts, and I thank you! And I have also written for that famed site yachtforums.com. Just back from Italy having shot the YF listing of M/Y Berilda (all except the aerials). That is one gorgeous yacht and very well maintained. Thanks, YF friends.
  18. CaptTom, Aug 20, 2023
    #18
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    I agree that this was a good call on Ross' part. It gave him some peace of mind as they started their trip north.
  19. captbh, Aug 20, 2023
    #19
    captbh

    captbh New Member

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    Great recommendation on the Prime Rib. Once Louis is gone, I doubt it will be the same. :(
  20. RossC, Aug 20, 2023
    #20
    RossC

    RossC Member

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    Location:
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    It was great meeting Tom and his help was much appreciated.

    Unfortunately yesterday was not uneventful, so I need some recommendations. We were running at about 1200 rpm 9kts and went aground hard. We were on the right side of the channel in west palm avoiding traffic but in the channel according to Navionics and the markers. Pulled the throttles and to neutral immediately. Didn’t feel like sand. After the hit I slowly ran it up and felt a slight vibration.

    So we are in vero beach now and I dove on the boat. Port prop is dinged up pretty bad and turns freely. Stbd prop looks ok but feels like it’s binding. Does not turn as freely as the port. Visibility is about 6” so I can’t tell is the shaft or strut is bent. Rudders look ok. I need to get a haul out at a yard that can inspect and repair the props, struts and shafts if it turns out they need it. I know the props will have to be done.

    Doesn’t look like there is anyone in vero beach. Amy suggestions further north. We are less than an hour from Fort Pierce so that could work also.
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