I'm looking for someone to transport a 30' Hunter from Wisconsin to Florida. Does anyone know of a reputable shipper?
Transporting a boat
- Thread starter Nereussailor
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Last summer I had my Morgan 41 trucked from Sevannah GA to North AL.
I used Abel Transport after Googling "boat transport" and getting 6 or 8 quotes from various trucking firms that specialize in moving boats. The quotes varried dramatically. Abel Transport was the cheapest and they did an outstanding job. I recommend the same approach to finding a trucker.
I used Abel Transport after Googling "boat transport" and getting 6 or 8 quotes from various trucking firms that specialize in moving boats. The quotes varried dramatically. Abel Transport was the cheapest and they did an outstanding job. I recommend the same approach to finding a trucker.
http://www.jouleyacht.com/locations.php
They shipped from Carlyle Il to Gasparilla in FL and arrived within 15 minutes of their estimate.
Also look to arrange a piggyback haul. If you can wait until someone is shipping to near your area they can save you some money not having to pay for deadheading back to base empty handed.
They shipped from Carlyle Il to Gasparilla in FL and arrived within 15 minutes of their estimate.
Also look to arrange a piggyback haul. If you can wait until someone is shipping to near your area they can save you some money not having to pay for deadheading back to base empty handed.
Hi
I used uship last year to get quotes for my 31. If you like I could find the name of the trucker that I used. He was a one man operation and cared for the boat like it was his own. He was based out of Fl. He p/u my boat in Fond Du Lac and brought it into Canada.
Good luck
Don
I used uship last year to get quotes for my 31. If you like I could find the name of the trucker that I used. He was a one man operation and cared for the boat like it was his own. He was based out of Fl. He p/u my boat in Fond Du Lac and brought it into Canada.
Good luck
Don
I had my Catalina 36 transported from Daytona Beach to DC and, like Snotter above, Googled and got quotes which varied hugely. Ended up using Hays Transport in Tampa www.haysmarinetransport.net and they were the least expensive and did and outstanding job, but I'd get a few quotes.
Contact Hunter. They have boats moving from their factory in Fl. to your area and probably are going home empty.
Thanks Steve,
I'm heading down to Miami on Sunday to the boat show. I figured that I'd check with them. Are there any other big boat manufacturers here in Florida?
I'm heading down to Miami on Sunday to the boat show. I figured that I'd check with them. Are there any other big boat manufacturers here in Florida?
boat mover
American Boat Carrier out of Alachua, FL is the contract carrier for Hunter. Person to speak to there is Bev. She can give you a quote for your move. You can also try to find out if the Hunter dealer in WI (Racine Riverside Marine) or Minnesota might have a boat coming in from the factory at about the time you want your to leave for FL. You might save some $$$.
American Boat Carrier out of Alachua, FL is the contract carrier for Hunter. Person to speak to there is Bev. She can give you a quote for your move. You can also try to find out if the Hunter dealer in WI (Racine Riverside Marine) or Minnesota might have a boat coming in from the factory at about the time you want your to leave for FL. You might save some $$$.
Thanks for the info, It's kind of funny, I got my boat at Racine Riverside Marine (Used) three years ago.
I'll get a hold of Bev and see what I can work out.
Dave
Mixed results
Geoff
Dave, I"ve used Great Lakes Boat Transport of Grafton three times. The first time was to Riverside Marina and no problems but I was at the periphery and talked with Jim Burt only by phone. The second time, from Racine to our home and depositing the boat in our driveway was great, Jim was helpful and courteous. The third time, picking up at our home and hauling to Superior we had problems. I'm guessing it was a one time bad day, but I'm left with a sour taste for that last transport. If you are considering Great Lakes Boat Transport email me private and I'll explain.
Geoff
Or you could hire a delivery skipper and sail it there, assuming it's seaworthy, and you can afford the time. Often less expensive.
I have delivered boats to as far as Panama, and it's easier on the vessel, because it's not jostled to death through the road grime.
I have delivered boats to as far as Panama, and it's easier on the vessel, because it's not jostled to death through the road grime.
The engine is original and didn't have an hour meter on it when I bought it. The previous owner neglected the boat so I can' tell how much life is really left in it everything from the motor back is new. But I still wouldn't risk the long journey.
Dave
Dave
With respect to the choice of going over land or sea. I grappled with that decision when I bought my 29,000 lb displacement Morgan 41 Out Island. Delivery by sea would have been 150$ (or is it 300$) a day plus nightly slippage and meals in the resteraunt for the paid capt and hand. The boat was in Savannah GA and I lived in N. AL.
In the end I had the Morgan shipped by Able Transport for 2 G$. I had to wait a month for Abel to arrange a return load (not to many boats going from Musscle Shoals, AL to the east coast). Unfortunately, Thunderbolt Marine in GA charged me an arm and a leg to package the boat. (They even bubble wrapped the mast, boom, and wind generator.) The cost of packaging was much more than the cost of shipping. I was at their mercy because I couldn't get away from work.
In retrospect, having the boat shipped by land was the smartest thing I could have done.
When I bought the boat I was not looking for a fixer-upper. The Morgan was well worn but I thought it was in good condition. A very reputable surveyor (there really is no such thing) who had many decades of experience (and at the end of his career) found nothing major wrong with it save for the need for new rigging. The seller paid for new rigging (which I installed) so I bought the boat. To make a long story short, In the span of a few months I had 4 or 5 fuel/oil/hydraulic oil leaks that needed to be repaired. The thermostat, raw water pump, and racor filters had to be replaced. On two occassions shortly after putting the boat in the water (after working on it 3-days a week from sun-up to sun-down for six weeks) I had to sail back to dock because the engine quit.
What I am trying to say is that boats are complicated things. It takes time to figure them out. I shudder to think what I would have gotten myself into had I paid someone to deliver my boat and all that crap I had to deal with had happened during delivery. My Morgan was not classified as a fixer-upper. Do yourself a favor--take deliver over land.
In the end I had the Morgan shipped by Able Transport for 2 G$. I had to wait a month for Abel to arrange a return load (not to many boats going from Musscle Shoals, AL to the east coast). Unfortunately, Thunderbolt Marine in GA charged me an arm and a leg to package the boat. (They even bubble wrapped the mast, boom, and wind generator.) The cost of packaging was much more than the cost of shipping. I was at their mercy because I couldn't get away from work.
In retrospect, having the boat shipped by land was the smartest thing I could have done.
When I bought the boat I was not looking for a fixer-upper. The Morgan was well worn but I thought it was in good condition. A very reputable surveyor (there really is no such thing) who had many decades of experience (and at the end of his career) found nothing major wrong with it save for the need for new rigging. The seller paid for new rigging (which I installed) so I bought the boat. To make a long story short, In the span of a few months I had 4 or 5 fuel/oil/hydraulic oil leaks that needed to be repaired. The thermostat, raw water pump, and racor filters had to be replaced. On two occassions shortly after putting the boat in the water (after working on it 3-days a week from sun-up to sun-down for six weeks) I had to sail back to dock because the engine quit.
What I am trying to say is that boats are complicated things. It takes time to figure them out. I shudder to think what I would have gotten myself into had I paid someone to deliver my boat and all that crap I had to deal with had happened during delivery. My Morgan was not classified as a fixer-upper. Do yourself a favor--take deliver over land.
Thanks Snotter,
That is my thought exactly. It's a loooooong trip for an old boat, and I don't want to have any problems with it being stuck somewhere where they might do a half assed job of fixing it. As for packing it up, I will take vacation time and fly up to do that myself. flights are cheap, and I have a place to stay when I'm there. It will be a lot easier on my mind to have it done that way. I've packed up my boat twice to have it hauled before, and I'll do it again. hopefully it will be the last time it will see a trailer.
Dave
That is my thought exactly. It's a loooooong trip for an old boat, and I don't want to have any problems with it being stuck somewhere where they might do a half assed job of fixing it. As for packing it up, I will take vacation time and fly up to do that myself. flights are cheap, and I have a place to stay when I'm there. It will be a lot easier on my mind to have it done that way. I've packed up my boat twice to have it hauled before, and I'll do it again. hopefully it will be the last time it will see a trailer.
Dave
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