Transporting Across Country

TriSwiss

TriSwiss

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Jul 15, 2014
31
Hunter H-376 Silver Cloud Marina
Does anyone have a recommendation for a "reasonable" marine transport company to over-land transport a 37' Hunter? We've posted on UShip and contact several companies, but everyone wants minimum $8,000 to move a boat from Texas to Philadelphia.

surely their must be someone that wants to make a buck, but do it without taking an arms and a leg.

Would it be cheaper if we dropped the keel. Or is this simply adding more cost to reattach, fair and finish?
 
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Tim22

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Jun 16, 2014
255
Hunter 310 Ottawa
We recently transported out hunter 310 from Detroit to Ottawa, Canada at a cost of $4000.00 CDN. Our first choice company was less but wasn't available as they were doing a large operation on the west coast. You could try Andrew's trucking at 905 262-4223. They are first class. If your time frame is flexible the cost goes down as they may be able to match you up with a boat going the other way.

Tim
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,456
-na -NA Anywhere USA
What you want to look for are marine transportation companies that specialize in coast to coast boat hauling. Deep Water in North Carolina might be a suggestion. Another is to call Catalina Yachts in the Tampa-St. Pete area and ask for Brenda. Ask her who she uses. Say Crazy Dave mentioned her. Ask only for Brenda who ships the Catalinas.
 
Steve E.

Steve E.

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Jan 22, 2008
40
Hunter 310 Colorado Springs, CO CO
In 2009 we used http://www.boatsexpress.com/ to transport our 1999 Hunter 310 from NC to CO. Cost was just under $4000. They did a great job getting our boat from A to B and had no problems whatsoever.

I don't know if they are still transporting (web link still works, so probably so) but you may want to reach out to Bob and see if he can give you a quote.

Steve E.
 
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FredV

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Oct 16, 2011
148
Hunter 37-cutter Philadelphia, PA
I used Marblehead Trading (Trucking) to move my 37-C from Boston to southern NJ in late 2011. Total cost was $2200. The driver was great, the trailer easily handled the boat, and their schedule was very flexible - so I would definitely recommend them. See a photo of Fred V's arrival below.

Contact info:
Marblehead Trading Trucking
trucking@marbleheadtrading.com
781 631-4650

Are you docking your boat in Philly? I'm moving my boat to Piers Marina just south of the Ben Franklin bridge next month. Let me know if you want their info.
 

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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,456
-na -NA Anywhere USA
The biggest problem is finding a company who goes coast to coast as they do not like to dead head back to the east coast.
 
TriSwiss

TriSwiss

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Jul 15, 2014
31
Hunter H-376 Silver Cloud Marina
Hi Everyone, thank you for your suggestion. Crazy Dave hit the nail on the head, "the biggest problem is finding a company who goes coast to coast". I've let them know that I'm not in any hurry and looking for being their deadhead return trip. They all kind of responded that now that the economy is picking up they don't need to make deals like that anymore…LOL

I found one guy that had a lowboy trailer ($3,200) but I'd have to supply the cradle and loading. That would jack the price up to $7,000, which meant I'm not saving anything.

Ideally, I'd like to find someone that is coming back deadhead and simply looking to make a few thousand. If the boat was all fixed-up and worth more than 20K I'd put the money into her to have her shipped by a reputable firm. I've got to sink $20K into her to bring her back from the grave. Both the hull & deck are in good shape, firm and sound. But I have to put a new mast, rigging and rebuilding the engine. Not to mention the cabin needs rebuilding. I she sounds like a total wreck, but once restored she will be worth the investment.

It just kills me to pay twice my purchase price to ship her.


Crazy Dave Condon said:
The biggest problem is finding a company who goes coast to coast as they do not like to dead head back to the east coast.
Click to expand
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,456
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Give Deep Water located in North Carolina but also give my friend at Catalina to see who she recommends but speak to her only privately and say I sent you to her for whom they use.
 
Claude L.-Auger

Claude L.-Auger

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Dec 14, 2003
1,434
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
TriSwiss said:
I've got to sink $20K into her to bring her back from the grave. Both the hull & deck are in good shape, firm and sound. But I have to put a new mast, rigging and rebuilding the engine. Not to mention the cabin needs rebuilding. I she sounds like a total wreck, but once restored she will be worth the investment.

It just kills me to pay twice my purchase price to ship her.
Click to expand
Quoting you, you paid 4k for her ? and need to sink 20k "to bring her back from the grave" !!! "Once restored she will be worth the investment"

My personal feeling is it doesn't add up. Unless you'd rather restore and work on her than use the time sailing ? So, I'd sell her in Texas for around the price I paid and using the 24K (4K + your estimated 20 for restoration)I'd look for one closer to home in decent shape. That's just my 2 cents of course ! Good luck
 
TriSwiss

TriSwiss

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Jul 15, 2014
31
Hunter H-376 Silver Cloud Marina
Claude L.-Auger said:
Quoting you, you paid 4k for her ? and need to sink 20k "to bring her back from the grave" !!! "Once restored she will be worth the investment"

My personal feeling is it doesn't add up. Unless you'd rather restore and work on her than use the time sailing ? So, I'd sell her in Texas for around the price I paid and using the 24K (4K + your estimated 20 for restoration)I'd look for one closer to home in decent shape. That's just my 2 cents of course ! Good luck
Click to expand
Claude, if it was simply about money, I'd buy a new boat. For me it's really part of the adventure. I don't mind spending the money to make her a look like new and fully restore this boat. I've always liked a challenge and never been beaten.

At some point, everyone is going to replace their rigging (standing and running) and good chance if you own your boat long enough you'll change the mast. So, I look at it like this... my hull will be sound, my cabin warm and dry, my rigging will be sturdy and strong and my heart will be happy for I'll know the value and quality of what I have put into my boat will protect my family at sea for many years yet to come.
 
Claude L.-Auger

Claude L.-Auger

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Dec 14, 2003
1,434
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
I understand your points about rigging, mast, etc. And yes when you're done you will wind up with a good solid dry boat that you know inside out from bow to stern ! My point was simply that with this project, and it really is a project, you will be involved in a lot more restoration than if you bought a newer boat. The money is not only the issue in my mind, but the time spent enjoying the boat. Of course one can always argue that working on the boat is enjoying her, but for me, sailing is always much more interesting that spending time fixing this or that. That being said, I certainly am not judging you as everyone thinks differently, particularly when it comes to boats ! And I most definitely wish you the best of luck in your project. Claude
 
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Jerry21707

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Jun 25, 2005
72
Hunter 31 Carlyle IL
I was very pleased with Marine Transit. Chuck King is very professional and has a nice rig for boats. His number is 919-271-0994. Yes I would use him again. He hauled my H 31 from Racine Wisconsin to Southern Illinois.
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,456
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Chuck King previously was a major sailboat dealer and I second him on marine transport as he knows what it takes.
 
pateco

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
I would recommend Derek at Sailor Moving Sailors http://www.sailorsmovingsailors.com He just moved my Hunter 31 from Baltimore to Fort Lauderdale, and the process was excellent. He decommissions and re-commissions with his own trailer mounted crane. I don't know how far he will travel, but he is based in Alabama I believe.



You can see the progress of our restoration here The Stargazer Adventure
 
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JST123

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Jun 17, 2011
42
Hunter 33.5 Lake Ouachita
I used Derek also. Good guy, and is a sailboat mover. He is based just outside of Nashville TN.
 
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