Shipping boat from fresh to salt water

Don S/V ILLusion · Aug 26, 2014

Fl will require proof of sales tax paid in another state as a prerequisite to waiving tax here. If you can't document sales tax paid elsewhere, they will require it prior to issuing a Fl registration which you must obtain.

31seahorse · Aug 26, 2014

JohnnyMac said:
We are making plans to ship our Hunter 380 from Lake Erie to Pensacola.
6.What else haven't I thought of?
Thanks

Hello

The water is spread pretty thin along the Gulf coast of Florida. Chart book is a necessity. Be satisfied that your boat and its mast/rigging are securely held and padded for the long truck ride. (Assuming that is the shipping method) Zinc - goes without saying - on prop shaft at least. I have seen zincs hanging down into the water from the shrouds, but I have not gone that far with this boat. Cruise 'til your heart is content!

kloudie1 · Aug 26, 2014

clean and seal the VHF antenna connection .. perfect time to change to an LED anchor bulb.. inspect all the shroud and stay end fittings .. look for small cracks right where the wire enters the fitting. Probably a good time to re-bed the mast step, and seal the wiring conduit ..
Install air conditioning if you plan to overnight at the slip..

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Aug 26, 2014

JohnnyMac said:
Didn't think of the VHF antenna connection. Was planning on LED light. Need to find out if the current bulbs will fit my globe. 5 years ago when I first checked, the bulbs were too big. I have AC, but was thinking about a genset to get AC on a hook during the summer

Check LED bulbs here art SBO ships store

Nereussailor · Aug 26, 2014

If you're trucking it down, cover the bow from the toe rail down with some kind of self stick plastic that will easily peel off. It will help prevent any damage from stones being kicked up in travel and keep the bug guts from baking on the hull. The stuff that they use to cover new stainless restaurant equipment would work great. I don't know where you'd get it though. The shipper might be able to help you out there.

gettinthere · Aug 26, 2014

JohnnyMac said:
We are making plans to ship our Hunter 380 from Lake Erie to Pensacola. I would like to solicit suggestions on a number of topics.
1. Do I need to change bottom paints? I currently have an ablative paint that just finished its second season.
2. Do I need to add sacrificial zincs?
3. Any opinions on marinas in Pensacola
4. Is there a check list of maintenance chores to perform while the mast is down?
5. Does Florida have any punitive property taxes or such to retitle or register? I didn't find anything on the internet other than $130
6.What else haven't I thought of?
Thanks

Which ablative? Some of the ablatives used in the great lakes arent as tough as the big $ heavy duty ablatives used in saltwater. Since you're out of the water, you might as well paint. Maybe just a touch up coat or maybe a new, better ablative.

You should be good with the zincs you have...but make sure they are zincs and not magnesium which is common for fresh water. Mags wont last long at all in salt.

Fla will want the diff between the rate you paid and their rate. I think Fl is 4% tax but I'm not sure. If you paid more than the Fl rate yer good. If less, you MIGHT owe the diff. I think there are time limits also. If you've owned the boat for a certain length of time out of Fl and had no intent of bringing the boat to Fl then you dont owe. Call the dmv.

Call M and N trucking in Mich. One of the few high quality boat trucking companies. Most are cowboys and will not respect your boat. Pad the **** out of the mast and boom, they only care that it doesnt fly off and hit something, so they will scratch the hell out of it strapping it down.

Good luck!

Crazy Dave Condon · Aug 27, 2014

The are where you plan to keep the boat, call the boat yards there to see what works best in that area.

BigEasy · Aug 27, 2014

Have chartered out of Pensacola for five years until purchasing my present boat two years ago. Great place to have a boat; you can sail the bays, sounds, ICW, and the Gulf when conditions are good. Lots of places for weekend sails with related anchorages & marinas.
Hope this helps:
Bottom paint: might as well apply now. Ablative paint is good, use highest Cu content &
two coats. Compound & Wax topsides of hull.
Zincs: Replace shaft zinc if it is more than 1/2 consumed or you will paying a diver shortly
Mast: Typical inspection & maintenance. Clean,lube, & retape VHF & light fittings
Replace anchor & steaming light bulbs if they are older. Inspect shrouds, tangs,
spreaders, turnbuckles, etc. If you are really energetic, wash & wax the mast.
Shipping: Use a reputable carrier that obtains all highway permits & has insurance that
will cover your boat in the event of total loss. Also, I advise either removing the
shrouds completely from the mast, coiling, and placing in the bottom of the trailer
or wrap & tape shrouds in bubble wrap first and then shrink wrap the halyards &
bubble wrapped shrouds to the mast. If you allow shrouds to remain on mast
and only shrink wrap, the vibration from the truck & trailer will chafe the
anodized finish on the mast. Happened to me on my shipment. The trucker
warned me when he picked up the boat; however, the yard had already packed
the mast and shortage of time was a factor.
Taxes: Unfortunately, you will be required to register & pay taxes on the value of your
boat & it is going to be a lot more than $130. Checked on that a couple of years
ago. You have about 6 month grace period. After that, the boat will have to be
registered and taxes paid. Call the Florida boat registration dept that is part of
Florida wildlife & fisheries division for factual info. And, yes they do check for
proper registration on the water & in the marinas and do enforce with penalties.
Marinas: Downtown marinas are Palafox Marina, Bahia Mar on Bayou Chico (in town),
as well as two others across from Bahia Mar on Bayou Chico off Pensacola Bay.
On Pensacola Beach, there is Sabine marina & Innerlight marina (on Santa Rosa
Sound)
I plan on moving the boat to Pensacola eventually. I really like the place, the lifestyle, food, and the sailing is great. Definitely agree that a reverse cycle air conditioner/heating system is a priority for the summer and winter too. The Florida panhandle is not similar to southern Florida. There are a lot of cold days & nights from December thru February; however, it warms quickly a day or two after the passage of cold fronts. Good Luck, I think that you will like it.

RichH · Aug 27, 2014

Here's your link to the difference between states: http://www.boatus.com/gov/states/

If youre in Ohio where the sales tax is 5.75% and you then move and keep the boat in FL where the sales tax is 6%, youll owe the difference of 0.25% to Florida when you register it there. You'll need your receipt of taxes paid to Ohio.

sailaway78 · Aug 27, 2014

Whatever you need

There is a really good marine repair facility there. Name if it is Troendle Marine Services. I have one friend who takes his boat over there from New Orleans to have work done. This place is not cheap, but they are very good, and capable of any type of work. And they are quick. No diddling around. And my only interest is I have been there and seen their operation.