Boats and sailing?

Question

i live in new jersey and one day i would like to sail to florida. what type of boat would i get

Answer 1

If you want to use the Intracoastal Waterway, just about anything will do, even a row boat or canoe. To sail in a sail boat you would need to be out for quite a while, so maybe a 35' boat would do you.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 2

Short answer:

    You will want a heavy displacement sailing sloop designed and built for making ocean passages...

Expanded answer:

I have made that trip several times in both directions... My oldest son and I did it together in 2004.  He bought a 26' sloop in Buffalo, NY and we took her down the Erie Canal to the Hudson, and then down the ICW and out into the Atlantic and had a wonderful time... In fact, we went on down across the Gulf Stream from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini, and then across the Gulf - home, to Galveston, TX.  I have also made the trip north in my sternwheeler...  So, actually, you can do it in almost any seaworthy vessel... Of course, a sail boat has tremendous fuel advantages... and I would suggest a heavy displacement sailing vessel with a full keel that is designed for blue water, ocean passages... you will be much more comfortable and you and your passengers will be a whole lot less prone to get sea sick - even in a bit of rough seas - truly, I can not stress enough how much these heaver vessels make a world of difference in your comfort,  as well as your control and safety... For one or two people, 26 feet will be fine... I would not go any smaller however...  36' in fact, can be difficult for one person to handle... So you may find just the perfect vessel is somewhere in the middle...  ( Boats - you will discover, just never have enough room for you and all your "stuff" )... My son later took that same 26'  vessel (with his girl friend)  from Galveston, to Venezula, and they had a wonderful 11 months voyage island hopping their way through the Caribbean..  

If you like, you can see pics of his boat, on the "Ego Trip" page of my website listed below...