Boat Transportation (land or sea)?

[Pat Johnson]

Can anyone tell me what kind of transportaion is available to move boats from one place to another when buying them? I have been looking for a used 33 but don't want to sail it several hundred miles the first day I get on it. I live in Pensacola but have seen several boats on the East coast. I don't have the time it would take to sail it home after buying it and would want to know the boat much better before doing it anyway. What would it cost to have it shipped on a truck? Is it reasonable to expect some sort of "at sea" delivery service?

 

[Terry Arnold]

local H33

There is one H33 for sale at Bluewater Bay marina at Niceville where my H33 is moored. There may be others in the local (or sailably nearby) area also. I have a H33 and will help if I can. Terry tgarnold@msn.com

 

[Revett Eldred]

Truck vs Boat

I was quoted US$10,000 to ship a 450 from Vancouver, B.C. to Florida, not including de- and re-commissioning, probably another $3-4,000. Instead, I am having the boat shipped by United Yacht Transport (www.uytinc.com) for $11,500 plus $400 insurance. It goes in January; until then I'm not sure if there is any downside. I've spoken to two people who used UYT and they both rave about them. Not sure if they operate between the two points you are interested in.

 

[Mickey McHugh]

ABCs of Transport

I moved my 40.5 twice in one year, Kemah TX to Long Beach CA and back again. $3450 each way for American Boat Carriers (ABC). I saw them delivering most of the Hunters to the dealer Ship & Sail in Kemah. They did a great job. It costs around $500 on each end for yard work. Debbie and I did all the rigging ourselves. ABC # is 800-828-3364.

 

[Jay Hill]

Boat Transportation: Sea

In your situation, you may be interested in finding a delivery skipper. Transport of a vessel over land can be relatively expensive and time consuming at each end. Rigging and tuning the standing rigging can be a chore unless you are very familiar with it. If you are buying on the east coast and it's delivered east coast, the cost of paid delivery might be MUCH less. You should expect to pay the skipper's travel arrangements, expenses, and $xx per day. the skipper will probably want at least one additional but probably two crew members. You will probably not have to pay their travel or expenses, but you would need to pay their way while they are on the vessel (full provisions, etc.)Besides, hurricane season is almost over and if the vessel you pruchase is seaworthy you can get it delivered (without de/re-rigging) in a week or two.You can find delivery skippers or companies by searching for "yacht deliveries" on the web.Good Luck.Jay

 

[Jim Ewing]

Self delivery

When we bought our 37.5 in April it was about 600 miles away. I looked into a delivery captain and found that it would cost about as much to do it myself (in lost income) as to hire a skipper and crew. I was lucky in that I had a friend eager to help on one leg of the trip and my wife was able to take time off for the second leg. Other than a couple of weekend charters and the pre-purchase sea trial I had very little time sailing 37.5s. Anyway the thing that tipped the balance for me was that I could pay the same thing and end up with either 1) a boat or 2) a boat and a LOT of experience getting to know her. I opted for 2.If you can't get the time then the choice will be set by how far away the boat is and how much wear and tear you want to add to the engine and gear. One additional thing to consider is that any maintenance items the boat requires for safe operation will have to be done before most delivery skippers will take the job. If not they'll wait (on your dime) while you arrange to have them done.Jim"Prospect"