How to ship a spinaker pole ???

[Scott21120]

We sold a boat last winter, and on delivery I forgot to include the spinaker pole, which was listed in the inventory. The new owner lives hundreds of miles from me, and the best rate I have found to ship the pole so far is over $300. I have tried UPS freight, FedEx freight, Schneider Trucking, and several moving van companies. The rates have varied from $300 to $600, because of the 11' length. Obviously, the vendors that sell spinaker poles online are not spending $300 to ship them - does anyone have a reasonably priced suggestion?Thanks,Scott

 

[Paul Akers]

Are there any spar mfg'rs near you?

If there are, maybe you can hitch a delivery ride on one of their deliveries to a marina(?) in the new owner's area?. Maybe even a boat mfg'r may be there. A second thought is to check w/a local marina to see what they do.

 

[Marybeth and Rip]

Hard to believe

We bought a whisker pole from Forespar last January and they shipped it us in March. We no longer have the shipping tube but I don't remember the shipping being very expensive.I experimented with a few shippers I use, and found the same obscene rates you did. The cheapest I found was $158 with Unishippers for 20#, 132"x5"x5" from Milwaukee to Miami.

 

[Scott21120]

Thanks Rip

right now $158 looks pretty good - I'll give them a call. Fortunately the new owner is understanding and patient! This one has to go to Laramie, WY - not many marinas there! He said they sail on a reservoir a couple hours from where they live.

 

[Ross]

Just to let you know what we have

lost over the years: try railway express, the Greyhound bus, Overnite trucking. I used them all fifty years ago. Find out how the ship flag poles. And pipe. Boat delivery drivers will probably take it as an extra. For three hundred bucks I would put it on my roof racks and deliver it my self.

 

[Rick]

Whisker Pole

Rip,How do you like your whisker pole? Our j=14.5' and we are still using the spinnaker pole for downwind on Wednesday and Friday night racing. Although we have contemplated a Forespar 12/22 adjustable whisker pole, we haven't bought yet. What are your thoughts.Unfortunately, the crew fell through so we cannot race in the Queens Cup but will be at the party.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

How much would a new pole cost?

Might be cheaper just to send the new owner a check and either keep yours or sell it locally.

 

[Ron]

U-haul

Perhaps a U-haul or truck rental company might have someone headed to the location you want and could take it along.

 

[Rick]

Rip, How do you like your whisker pole.

Rip,Please see posting below. I was looking at a whisker pole from Defender.com on the 4th of July sale. The freight charges are estimated at $100 - $150 depending on if the poles are shipped to a residence or business. Spinnaker and whisker poles are shipped via truck. Call a few trucking lines that travel cross country from Milwaukee to Wyoming. Check w/ Amtrak to see if they offer the service.

 

[Mike]

Packaging companies

Scott:I had a similar problem this spring when I tried to ship a dodger frame to a fella who bought my old dodger. The frame was 104" X 37" and shaped like bow. No one would ship it at any price. Not UPS, Fedex or USPS. I ended up at one of those businesses who specialize in shipping and packaging stuff. It cost $200 but it was the best I could do and it got delivered.Look in the yellow pages. Most cities have such businesses.Good Luck,MIke

 

[Capt J]

Just a Thought

Greyhound handles freight at low rates. Try them.

 

[Marybeth and Rip]

Whisker Pole on our Hunter 31

We bought a 7-17 3-piece adjustable for our Hunter 31. I just found the Packing Slip for it. Forespar Part Number 407100. Model ADJ 7-17-DL at Rigging Only for $290.61 plus $27 shipping. It is normally $484.35 but we bought it at the Chicago Strictly Sail Show last February and got a pretty good discount.So far it seems to work just fine with our boat. We have a 110% genoa so the foot is about 15 feet.