Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I am heading down to Wildwood NJ tomorrow night and I was planning on taking the boat, but now I'm having second thoughts. I am in CT, so it is a 5-6 hour drive with the boat (34' Scarab) and I was planning on leaving at 3AM so I wouldn't hit any traffic. Gas for the truck and then the boat would be expensive as hell, and then I have to pay for keeping the boat at a marina. The trailer was just fixed (new axle) and I have not towed with it since. I am a little worried about that, but would be willing to risk it. My dilemma is that I am worried I am going to get down there and regret bringing the boat...or not bringing the boat. I have never been in good ocean waters or driven along a beach and would like to do that. Plus I love my boat and it would give me something to do other than just sit on the beach all day (hopefully find some good females to bring on it too). Do any of you take your boat on vacation??? Does it end up being a pain in the a$$ or is it well worth it in the end??

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I always take my boat on vacation, that's the whole point of my vacations. Until recently, I've had around a 4 hour drive to our normal spot. That was never a problem for hauling. I say go for it!

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

If you plan on using it a lot, bring it. I don't remember seeing many performance boats the times I've been to Wildwood. Maybe some of the locals will chime in.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I had a vacation in San Diego for July 4. Initially I did not plan to bring the boat, but a few days before the trip I changed my mind and decided to drag the boat down. I was really glad to have the boat there and I got a lot of use out of it. If you have a place to keep the boat at your destination and don't mind the increased $$ involved, I'd say go for it.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

bring it :drink:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

bring it.. lots of board members down there to give you a hand if you need it.. just bring your computer....lol

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I did not relize that you could take a vacation with out the boat :D I pull my 38 to LOTO about 5 times a year with no trouble. Just take it otherwise you will regret it.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

You'll love Cape May area by boat, I was stationed there when I was in the Coast Guard. I just did a weeks vacation in Ocean City Maryland with my boat and couldn't imagine being without the boat.. Get to know the area, get some charts or if you have a GPS.... Our favorite is to take a slow cruise at night up along the beach front to view the boardwalk and amusement park lights, beautiful view!!! Take the boat with you and if you don't want to use it, just leave it parked on the trailer until you leave. Better than saying... should have brought it. It is more gas, more time, but when your running out the inlet with the throttles in hand... PRICELESS!!!! You can run out the wildwood inlet, head South and come back around through the canal way into the harbor. Lot's of food and bars on the water.... Good Luck!!!!!

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Oh man, That is exactly what I wanted to hear. I am definately going to bring it.
"Our favorite is to take a slow cruise at night up along the beach front to view the boardwalk and amusement park lights, beautiful view!!!"
That is exactly why I want to bring it...I've always wanted to do that. I want to run the beach at about 6 when everybody leaves the beach and are just chilling on there balconies waiting to hit the boardwalk. East Coast B, what are some of the food and bars on the water you are talking about. I really want to make sure there will be somewhere to go on the boat to hang out. Is the inlet difficult to navigate. Thanks for the help guys, I can always count on OSO.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

It's been a few years since I lived there, but my favorite place to eat was the lobster house which is on the Southeast side of the bridge at the end of the parkway that goes into Cape May. As for best boating bars, right at the bridge going into Wildwood there are several to choose from and as you follow the bay up North each town, Stone Harbor, Avalon, etc has several to pick from. Hopefully someone that has been down there more recent can give you the names of the bars, again it's been too long for me to remember.

As for the inlet, it's a straight shot... I'm use to Ocean City, MD which can get pretty nasty, so to me Wildwood is a straight shot, I use to run the stand up jet skis through there without issue.

You'll like the area, just remember to get a map of the channels so you know where your going.....

Good luck and have fun.......

Put a post with Wildwood or CapeMay in the heading so you can pick up some local members from that area..... They'll have a lot of good detailed info for you....

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

"Put a post with Wildwood or CapeMay in the heading so you can pick up some local members from that area..... They'll have a lot of good detailed info for you...."

I tried that, no local wildwood or cape may people responded, only people that live somewhat near there or used to live there. I've been to Wildwood a bunch of times, just never with a boat. Ocean City is the sh*t, thats where I went on vacation the last 4 years. Wild Party area, had some of the best days of my life there. Can't wait to go back. Thanks for the help ECB.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I say take it also. I am leaving for Marther's Vinyard in one week. Taking the boat along too!!

Have Fun and be Safe!!!!

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

bring a spare tire for the trailer (maybe 2)

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Good Idea!!!!

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

bring it!
just got back from vac with mine, took it out once but it was the best day i had at the beach that week! :D:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Good Point...Your the man Jeff, that punk b*tch is running awsome. That beautiful humm of the engines makes me want to go that much more.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

The way I see it, even if you bring it and don't use it, you only lost a few mpg. Since you'll have it, you'll find a way to make it work. Bring it...

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

:evilb: :evilb:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

It will probably be a pain in the A$$ to bring it, but if you found a Marina and get the boat down without incident I'm sure you will have a blast. They dont rent boats like yours and you should be able to go wherever you want. Just get a good map and have the GPS with you. (Map is a must)One of the inlets in that area is real shallow and you can't rely on the locals to help you.
South is Cape May North is AC. You can follow the ICW either way. Then you have the option of running the Ocean as well.

What Marina did you decide to go with?

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Well before JC Perfs reach around...correction Masher, it wasn't a hummer LMAO...The boat wasn't running and I wasn't sure if I would make it in time (that and I had to replace an axle on the trailer) So finding a marina is one thing working against me. I was going to try Pier 47 like you said, but at this point I don't have a place to put it. I'm gonna call around tomorrow and hope for the best. I just hope someone still has a slip.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

When you get it off the trailer are you leaving it in the water?

How many days?

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Yeah I would like to leave it in the water. It will be wednesday till monday.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Just some things to consider.......
The main inlet for wildwood is the Cape May Inlet that is south of Wildwood and North of Cape May. The inlet closest to North Wildwood is Hereford inlet. I think that is the shallow area double check your map tomorrow. My map is showing low water. (I didnt say Pier 47) but that is closer to the ICW than it is the Ocean.

Try the following tomorrow morning:Two mile Landing Marina--609-522-1341

Cape Harbor Yacht Club #?
Corinthian yacht club of Cape May#??
It seems all the Marinas near the good water are private.

I would think that docking near the Cape may Inlet would be easier for you.
If you need me to scan the area map, let me know.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

http://www.twomilelanding.com/

They have it all, powerboaters ok, transient slips. etc....

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I didn't know people went on vacations with out their boats? :p

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Before I moved back to Florida, twice I trailered my first boat, a 242 Formula, from Maine to Florida for vacation. The second time took a 12 hundred mile trip around the state including going back and forth across the Okeechobee Waterway,up and down both coasts(east coast Intracoastal sucks), down to Key West, over to the Bahamas, then eventually back to the starting point, Sarasota, my "hometown". Spent six weeks on that trip and slept every night on the boain including one night when the boat was up on blocks in a marina for a drive oil change. The "yard" guys thought that was just too funny. This was in April of 95'. Best time I ever had.

The only time I would not take my boat is on my hunting trips back to Maine in November.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Been Tampa Bay area to New Hampshire with my boat...just make sure the trailer is up to the trip(and two spares can't hurt).
Two Mile is good to eat , so is The Loster House in Cape May. Both water front dining and casual. There is also a couple by the Rio Grande (rte 47) bridge goning into Wildwood(one just south of the bride on the right headed north and the other straight ahead of you as you go under the bridge if you don't follow the channel to the left)) But those names escapeme for the moment. A ride up to AC is always nice and you can dock at Trumps on the bay. Got yoour choice of the ocean or ICW. Be fore warned , lots of NWZs on the ICW. Roughly 30 miles to AC but will take 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Clearly maked channel , just be sure to have a chart.
Enjoy :cool:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Bring the boat!!!! You will be happy you did, and feelin pretty fat the first time her ass glides down into the water. I would probably throw a grease gun in the back of the truck also, drive for 20 minutes or so, and for peace of mind ,I would find a nice easy place to pull over, and shoot the bearings one more time and feel the hubs to make sure they were not cooking, ( they will be warm, but you should be able to keep your hands on them), and away we go. Enjoy.. :drink:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

We tow to Destin from Baton Rouge every year for the Emerald Coast Poker Run. The run is only part of the trip. We usually stay a week (few days before the run and a few days after) and it's some of the best boating I've ever done. Crystal blue waters and beautiful beaches. I have never regretted the additional gas money to tow it. Going from a 31 Formula to a Top Gun and I'll tow it too! The only glitch we had was the first year we went we stayed in a condo. Rack stored the boat at a local "reputable" marina. Jammed both my Bravos in forward, dripped drive oil on the interior from the boat stored above it, broke the Thunderbird emblem and never had the boat in the water on time in the mornings - total nightmare. :mad: Since then, we rent a house that has it's own dock. My boat is where I can keep an eye on it. :D

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

I couldnt resist and called two mile for you---they do not have the ability to put your boat in the water for you. But they have slips and are surrounded by deepwater and very close to the bridge. The woman I spoke to said to speak with the Dockmaster he will know/advise you what to do. She said there is a ramp a few miles away. But what do you plan on doing with the trailer. Are you able to park it where your staying??

A few more possibilities:

Utchs Marina--609-884-2051

South Jersey Marina: 609-884-2400

Harbor view Marina:::609-884-0808

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Thanks CasinoRunner, I definately check them out. Sorry, that was someone else that said pier 47. I like the fact that two mile landing has a restaurant, and it is near the inlet. Thanks for the advise everyone. I'm more worried about the trailer than anything, so I think bringing 2 spares would be a good idea. We lost a wheel bearing on the way home from the NYC Poker Run a few mile from our house on the way home, and it screwed up the axle and they got done fixing it yesterday. I'll have to see how it rides with the boat on it tonight before I make the decision to go, but if that goes well then I am 100% going to take it. Great advice on where to go mopower. Thanks for all the help OSO.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

you'll put in on the bay side of wildwood. hereford inlet is plenty deep,60' crab boats go out there. the channel markers are odd (small saplings with the markers on them.) STAY IN THE CHANNEL!! go to the lighthouse point,or moore's inlet good food. don't drink &drive njsp marine police are everywhere. there is a big island/sandbar @n. wildwood everyone hanngs on weekends. A.C. is 25 miles or so north(HARRAHS & TRUMP MARINA)
take gps and pic up a map where you put boat in.
HAVE FUN! YOU'LL LOVE IT LOTS OF GO FAST GUYS

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/wildwoods/
http://www.the-wildwoods.com/
http://www.gwcoc.com/
http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/

marinas- http://www.the-wildwoods.com/boating/boat.html http://www.gwcoc.com/WebSite/attracts/fishboat.html

hope that helps
drew :drink:

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Oh man, thanks a bunch CasinoRunner. Beers are on me if we ever meet up. I don't have anything to do with the trailer because the condo we rented is right on the strip of hotels in wildwood crest. I don't mind launching somewhere else and driving over, I just hope they can keep my treailer there. I'll give them a call this morning. Great advice biginches. Thanks.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Bring the boat!!! Go to Rio Grande bridge in Wildwood plenty of great restaurants and bars. Go to north wildwood to the sand bar it's huge a ton of people hang out there. There's even a party barge that comes there to serve food!

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

see attached diagram.......

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

The big circle is Hereford inlet.(North Wildwood).notice it's blue. :rolleyes: .the white Ocean water10-50 ft.

2nd pic you can see the proper channel "Cape May" the red and green markers takes you right into the ICW.

You want to dock closer to the Cape May inlet. Keep us posted. :)

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

he'll see when he gets there,between shore and sandbar.
just watch what goes out there and where
ask the marina
i know what the chart says, if he does'nt want to listen to me,ok
just follow ch markers and watch the size of the fishing boats that go there.
then make your own choice.
i was just trying to lend a hand.

:D

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

Not doubting what your saying, I'm sure plenty of boats make it through.....don't take my post the wrong way. But when you are in unfamiliar waters you need to play it safe. :)
That inlet is dead sometimes, especially during the week, what if no one is around to follow out at the time he is in the area. It happens.
One again don't take my post the wrong way. It's just often everyone makes it sound so easy, and then you get there and it's not.

Re: Taking your boat on vacation...your thoughts pleeeeaaaase
 

cool :D
he can ask the harbor mstr. @ GRASSY SOUNDS MARINA ,it's right there :D