[t951]

Ok,

So my wife and I are finally through all of the paperwork and we will finally have our boat. (40' Tiara Express).

The issue is that it is in Tampa/St.Pete and we are docking it in Daytona.

We got estimates trucking it over, and that was almost as much as the fuel for driving it around the state. (There is a "ditch" that goes thru Lake Okeechobee, but we have a 42" draw and the lake is too shallow for that right now).

Our most likely journey will be from Tampa to Marco Island. Marco-the keys, The Keys to Miami. Miami to Daytona. (about 600NM).

I have a 444 gallon tank, and following the rule of thirds, etc. I figure about 150miles a day.

Here is the rub.....

I have never Captained a large boat before. I have practically memorized the operator guides for the electronics. I don't plan on being far off the coast, and will only go during VFR (for planes) conditions. Basically, clear and sunny.

Now:

I don't have map coordinates for all of the locations i need to plot. (Not sure where to find them, unless I know the specific places). I am hoping someone already has this plotted out and I can get the info from them.....where to find that I don't know.


More importantly, my wife wants to hire a captain. While that sounds great, it means that we can stop somewhere, and just decide to spend another day on a whim, or change plans, etc. We are responsible for food, lodging and return travel. (Which would be ludicrous if we dropped him off in the Keys and he had to fly to tampa).

Plus, I don't know this person. It will be my wife, me and someone I don't know.

I think, by being ridiculously cautious we can make the journey safely, but the wife isn't so sure.

Any thoughts, words of wisdom, etc?

Does any one have this route already planned or know where I could find one?
Is it smarter just to truck it back and skip the adventure?

Thanks!

t.