Long-distance boat shipping - how find return leg availability?

[RichW9603]

Hi everyone,

I am in process of buying a 33' sailboat. I am looking at a couple different boats, but for the exact boat I want neither is near me (and none are near me even aside from these two). One of them is a little north of Chicago, the other is actually in Canada just outside Maine. I need it transported to a lake between Oklahoma City and Dallas. I have tried to research the forums, including this one, and the consensus seems to be that it is very expensive if you need to pay someone to drive one way with an empty trailer, but if you can find someone who is making a delivery near your pickup, you can get a much more affordable rate to have them transport your boat on the otherwise empty return trip. I am pretty flexible on transport dates, so in theory that should help make this concept workable. The problem is, how does one actually FIND where these empty return-haul legs are available? How have any of your who have taken advantage of this come by the lead?

Thanks much.
'Dubs

 

[woodster]

start with uship and see what you can do with them ...describing what your plans are and see what they can advise

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Since U-ship is a service that solicits bids from multiple haulers, you may get a bid based on a return leg. That would be the best scenario for you.

 

[RichW9603]

Thanks for the tips. Dumb question, do the shippers also provide the necessary trailer (and how do you make sure the trailer is the right one to hold the boat)?
Also, who usually loads the boat for transport? I heard the mast has to be tied down and wrapped, etc. so sounds like a bit of a process. Does the buyer usually try to find someone to decommission and load the boat? That could be challenging to do remotely.

Separate question, does anyone have experience bringing a boat in from Canada? I'm pretty sure the boat was built in the U.S.. I read some forums where people talked about having problems at the border getting into the U.S., so they recommended a customs broker.
Thanks.

 

[justsomeguy]

I read some forums where people talked about having problems at the border getting into the U.S.

What kind of problems?

 

[Kings Gambit]

Thanks for the tips. Dumb question, do the shippers also provide the necessary trailer (and how do you make sure the trailer is the right one to hold the boat)?
Also, who usually loads the boat for transport? I heard the mast has to be tied down and wrapped, etc. so sounds like a bit of a process. Does the buyer usually try to find someone to decommission and load the boat? That could be challenging to do remotely.

Separate question, does anyone have experience bringing a boat in from Canada? I'm pretty sure the boat was built in the U.S.. I read some forums where people talked about having problems at the border getting into the U.S., so they recommended a customs broker.
Thanks.

If you buy a boat, it's yours to ship. Usually, the boat is hauled and then either the yard personnel or you together with the yard personnel decommission it and then load it on the trailer and secure. The yard personnel will do everything for you that you are willing to pay for. You can do some of it yourself, however. Talk to the yard manager to get quotes and arrange task schedules. If you get a quote from a shipper it would not necessarily include a dead-head home (empty return). However, if it's to a place where a return load is not likely to be found within a few days, etc., you might get an up-charge on the delivery, as with one-way rental cars to "sink" destinations. The basic formula for transport cost is distance x weight to get cost per mile, plus charges for extra-wide loads if that is your case. The yard charges are top of that, and remember--you have yard charges at both ends of the travel--decommission and recommission. Also, the shipper knows if he's looking at a possible "dead-head" home and might hold up your scheduling until he has a return load, etc. To find out, try getting a few quotes (maybe 3).

 

[RichW9603]

What kind of problems?

I can't find the link now, but one post I read described how the boat transporter was stopped at the US border and they wouldn't let him through even though the owner had called ahead and organized all the paperwork he was told was needed. The broker who sold the boat had to drive down to the border crossing to straighten it out. I've also heard the owner has to be at the crossing but not sure. I'm trying to see if I can get the owner to just take a day or two and sail the boat from Canada right into Maine, and meet him there and go to Customs. The CBP website talks about needing an EPA certificate for the engine, but hopefully that won't be an issue because pretty sure the boat was made in the U.S. and has the same engine the others of its class do. I was mainly curious about the boat crossing over on a trailer, but if I can get the owner to sail it to Maine that should bypass that problem.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1184/kw/importing a boat from canada/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ2MTcwMjQzNi9zaWQvT2o3YWcqT20=

 

[kito]

I had mine shipped by a Uship bidder. Just make sure they are insured and the price includes all permits etc. Mine was hauled by a hydraulic trailer which can back under a boat on jackstands. The support arms are adjusted to fit. My brother is having his 28 foot power boat moved by a flat bed truck with a cradle attached. It all depends on the equipment the marina has. My boat was in someone's backyard so a hydraulic trailer was necessary. Either that or hire a crane to load it on a regular trailer.

 

[Sailm8]

I would not ship with a trucking company that did not specialize in boats. I had a Cal 27 shipped from the St Louis area to SW Florida. I prepped the boat by removing all fuel and liquids as was required and wrapped the mast in shrink wrap. I taped all of the hatches, lazarettes and any opening that the wind could open. I also put a coat of wax on the hull but did not buff it off. I buffed it off after the boat arrived and that protected the finish from road grime. Remember your boat will be experiencing 60mph winds for hours and hours. Just like being in the worst storm ever. I drove to Florida and waited for the boat to arrive. I told the shipper to pick it up whenever they had a return load arranged so it saved me money. The truck had adjustable hydraulic pads and beds that could be made to fit the boat perfectly. Took a few extra weeks but it arrived within 10 minutes of the shippers ETA and not a scratch.

I would not buy a boat and not prep it myself.

 

[justsomeguy]

I've also heard the owner has to be at the crossing but not sure. I'm trying to see if I can get the owner to just take a day or two and sail the boat from Canada right into Maine

That seems reasonable, unless you were to pay in Canada, sparking the $10,000-plus border crossing bank reporting requirements.

Ugh, I don't want to have to think about that stuff.

 

[dziedzicmj]

If you use uShip, be triple careful, whom you pick. Unfortunately, there are some crooks who hang out there. Don't give them any money up front (they will insist). keep in mind that they have your boat and you have nothing.
If you are not present at the border, hire a customs broker. For me, this was the best $250 spent on the boat purchase. Crossing the border took 10 min.
My experience is from moving in the other direction, but the general rules still apply.
good luck.

 

[Hello Below]

That seems reasonable, unless you were to pay in Canada, sparking the $10,000-plus border crossing bank reporting requirements.

There will be other issues but I believe the "$10,000 - plus" to be cash only.

Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks) valued at $10,000 or more on a "Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments" form FinCEN 105.

 

[justsomeguy]

Ugh, I don't want to have to think about that stuff.

What did I say?

 

[woodster]

as far as who is responsible for what on the truck...the yard decommissions your boat and you can secure everything inside on your own...you can wrap the mast for shipping or the yard can do that ......loading..... if the yard has a travel lift or crane they will set it on the trailer provided by the transporter for a fee ....when it is on the trailer it is the haulers responsibility to secure the load for hauling......also ask for the insurance indorsement (accord) from the hauler .......crossing the border from canada is making sure you pay all the fees and that the paperwork is in order including the shipping order/bill of lading.....when arrived at its destination you are responsible for receiving the boat....if using a yard for final destination ...make arrangements with them to handle the off loading if they are equipped to do so...if not you have to hire a crane company to off load the boat ...also make sure the yard has boat stands to accommodate your boat for dry/on the hard storage.....pay the hauler and say thank you if everything went well.....and if the yard people really did a good job offer a nice tip to the help ..if they turn it down don't insist it may be policy of the yard not to accept gratuities....this is like having a dinner party you have to set the table well and on time in order to be in the plus mode...good luck

 

[woodster]

I would not ship with a trucking company that did not specialize in boats. I had a Cal 27 shipped from the St Louis area to SW Florida. I prepped the boat by removing all fuel and liquids as was required and wrapped the mast in shrink wrap. I taped all of the hatches, lazarettes and any opening that the wind could open. I also put a coat of wax on the hull but did not buff it off. I buffed it off after the boat arrived and that protected the finish from road grime. Remember your boat will be experiencing 60mph winds for hours and hours. Just like being in the worst storm ever. I drove to Florida and waited for the boat to arrive. I told the shipper to pick it up whenever they had a return load arranged so it saved me money. The truck had adjustable hydraulic pads and beds that could be made to fit the boat perfectly. Took a few extra weeks but it arrived within 10 minutes of the shippers ETA and not a scratch.

I would not buy a boat and not prep it myself.

this is also very good advice read it and try to live by it