 NY to Boston 27' Rinker, smart or not? Please Help
Brian,
The info that Sea Wolf, aubv, and dry doc was right on. You cannot over prepare yourself.
About 5 years ago, me and the fiancee took a 18ft Dixie, 1978 vintage, single engine I/O from Wilmington N.C. to Charleston S.C. We had a few anxious moments. Getting caught in a T-storm in Winyah Bay and had to tie off to a bridge on the leeward side, etc. But the bottom line is we were prepared; as much as could be in a boat of that caliber. We did not have a float plan but called our friends in Charleston every couple of hours and gave them revised updates of our arrival time. One thing I would suggest that really helped me was at every fuel stop I informed the marina operators of my journey and received a ton of local knowledge and helpful information. Also received information by talking to other boaters on the fuel dock.
Our destination was Wild Dunes Yacht Harbour and we arrived 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Had to wait about 15 minutes while a young couple docked there huge Viking. It was worth the wait though to see the woman handle the dock lines and fenders effortlessly while her husband spun that rig around right up to the dock. Man, I will never forget those dual radars spinning. We motored our Dixie to the transient dock, suitcases bungied to the bow seating, bicycle and spare 5 gallon gas tank strapped to the swim platform; and guess what, we were treated like gold by the dock guys at Wild Dunes. While talking to some boaters over the weekend that owned about the same size boat you have, they told us they were contemplating the same trip I had just made in that little Dixie. I was shocked to learn they had never made a trip outside of their 5 mile comfort zone in that nice twin engine cruiser. Geez, I'm starting to ramble like trouty. Congratulations on the marriage, and go do some cruising on that honeymoon. And remember, its not the size of your equipment.........but how good you are using it!!! | 
