Hello all, Wondered if anyone out there might have some insight on boat transport. I'm on the west coast, southern California, and planning on buying a used Hunter 450 or 456. Wanted to see if anyone has a ball park idea on the cost to A: ship it on the road, or B: have a captain deliver one from Florida. Could I even ship a 450 from Florida via road? In addition to pulling it from the water and dropping the mast some have told me to put it on the road, I would have to remove the keel. I'm just trying to find out how much coast to add, if I expand my search for used boats to the east coast. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Peter
Moving a 45' from coast to coast
- Thread starter Peter Lashley
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Don't keel over
Most all Hunters, Catalina, Beneteaus, etc. are designed to be transported by truck on the interstate highway system. And most any of them with a shoal draft keel will not require that the keel be removed. As I recall the 450 does not require keel removal but it _does_ require removal of the arch, stanchions, and a couple of winches. As for cost, it's a lot cheaper to go from west to east, as many Hunters, Beneteaus, and some Catalinas are shipping east to west and the truckers are looking for loads going back east. You might try calling Hunter or Beneteau and find out who they use, then get your first quotes from those shippers.
Most all Hunters, Catalina, Beneteaus, etc. are designed to be transported by truck on the interstate highway system. And most any of them with a shoal draft keel will not require that the keel be removed. As I recall the 450 does not require keel removal but it _does_ require removal of the arch, stanchions, and a couple of winches. As for cost, it's a lot cheaper to go from west to east, as many Hunters, Beneteaus, and some Catalinas are shipping east to west and the truckers are looking for loads going back east. You might try calling Hunter or Beneteau and find out who they use, then get your first quotes from those shippers.
No way man
Just spend the money on airplane tickets and fly out, sail the weekend, dock it and fly back. Also tie in a two week vacation in Panima and you got yourself a year to remember. It will cost a more but you will get a priceless vacation and memories. Just think of how many plane tickets you can get with the $5,000 it may cost to ship it.
Just spend the money on airplane tickets and fly out, sail the weekend, dock it and fly back. Also tie in a two week vacation in Panima and you got yourself a year to remember. It will cost a more but you will get a priceless vacation and memories. Just think of how many plane tickets you can get with the $5,000 it may cost to ship it.
East to West
I'm with Franklin on this one. Take the shipping money and sail that honey home. It should be the trip of a lifetime. There is a cruising guide, called I think, Cruising ports from Florida to Califorina, or something similar. Sorry I can't give you more detais on it. I had a copy, but Katrina got it. Gives plenty of info on entire route, including the canal. If you don't go for it you will regret it for many years to come.
I'm with Franklin on this one. Take the shipping money and sail that honey home. It should be the trip of a lifetime. There is a cruising guide, called I think, Cruising ports from Florida to Califorina, or something similar. Sorry I can't give you more detais on it. I had a copy, but Katrina got it. Gives plenty of info on entire route, including the canal. If you don't go for it you will regret it for many years to come.
Were it Me...
Were it me, I'd sail it myself. However, being the reasonable, understanding person that I am, I can understand your reluctance. So, I can understand perfectly why you would want to consider hiring a captain to move it for you. It sounds like a perfectly reasonable approach to me. Did I mention that I'm a licensed captain? I might be available to do this dangerous, treacherous, totally undesireable endeavor for you. Of course, I'd need reasonable renumeration. Let's see, I'd have to take a year or so off work, not that I'd be lolly-gagging about mind you, it's just that being the salty, experienced blue-water captain that I am (Nice 'N Easy will confirm for you, I DO have blue water experience), I would want to take it nice and slow and see all the sights... I mean, be careful to pamper your new baby along. Yeah, that's it. You know I'm kidding, right? Do what Franklin and Phil said. Move the boat yourself. You might want to start shopping around for "sailing buddies" to help along the way. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you were able to move it yourself (with help) for less than the price of paying a moving company. And believe me, it'd be a fun adventure. Phil (Nice N Easy) and I moved a friend's boat, with him along, across the gulf. He saved money, and the three of us had a great adventure. That wasn't quite as ambitious a trip as you'd be doing, but what you're talking about can definitely be done. Go for it!! PS, I would actually be availabe for a leg or two, and even though I DO have the paper, I really don't have enough experience to call myself a transport captain. My "pay" would be the experience I'd gain. I'm sure you'd find others on here that would love to take a leg or two along with you.
Were it me, I'd sail it myself. However, being the reasonable, understanding person that I am, I can understand your reluctance. So, I can understand perfectly why you would want to consider hiring a captain to move it for you. It sounds like a perfectly reasonable approach to me. Did I mention that I'm a licensed captain? I might be available to do this dangerous, treacherous, totally undesireable endeavor for you. Of course, I'd need reasonable renumeration. Let's see, I'd have to take a year or so off work, not that I'd be lolly-gagging about mind you, it's just that being the salty, experienced blue-water captain that I am (Nice 'N Easy will confirm for you, I DO have blue water experience), I would want to take it nice and slow and see all the sights... I mean, be careful to pamper your new baby along. Yeah, that's it. You know I'm kidding, right? Do what Franklin and Phil said. Move the boat yourself. You might want to start shopping around for "sailing buddies" to help along the way. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you were able to move it yourself (with help) for less than the price of paying a moving company. And believe me, it'd be a fun adventure. Phil (Nice N Easy) and I moved a friend's boat, with him along, across the gulf. He saved money, and the three of us had a great adventure. That wasn't quite as ambitious a trip as you'd be doing, but what you're talking about can definitely be done. Go for it!! PS, I would actually be availabe for a leg or two, and even though I DO have the paper, I really don't have enough experience to call myself a transport captain. My "pay" would be the experience I'd gain. I'm sure you'd find others on here that would love to take a leg or two along with you.
Phil Herring has the best.........
Due to job time constraints and other factors, I could certainly understand shipping the boat. Phils idea of seeing how and who Hunter uses will be the best way to price things out. Probably the most expensive part will be the decommissioning and recommissioning. On the other hand, buying a boat far away is not that cheap to move yourself if you still have to maintain a job. I recently purchased a boat 1200 miles from where I was living, moved it myself with the help of friends and here is how it went...Money wise: Initial trip to look at the boat....driving 2400 miles round trip with motels and meals = approx $750. Made the deposit on the first trip, now going back after survey for the closing....driving 2400 miles round trip, a few nights in motel, plus meals = $600. I now own the boat but it needed 2 more round trips getting it ready for the trip ( shake down cruises and system checks). That totalled about $1000. Final trip...drive 1200 miles and girlfriend drives back 1200 miles. Food and misc for trip for me and 3 friends = total about $1000. Now keep in mind that 2 of my crew buddies flew in from different areas at their own expense just because they wanted to make the trip, so I was lucky there. Anyway, lots can be saved if you were to purchase the boat and immediately move on and stay on boat till the day of departure and not have to make all the trips. P.S. Moving the boat with friends was a priceless experience for me since I had never made a trip that long before. Total of 11 days. Good luck in what ever you do. Tony B
Due to job time constraints and other factors, I could certainly understand shipping the boat. Phils idea of seeing how and who Hunter uses will be the best way to price things out. Probably the most expensive part will be the decommissioning and recommissioning. On the other hand, buying a boat far away is not that cheap to move yourself if you still have to maintain a job. I recently purchased a boat 1200 miles from where I was living, moved it myself with the help of friends and here is how it went...Money wise: Initial trip to look at the boat....driving 2400 miles round trip with motels and meals = approx $750. Made the deposit on the first trip, now going back after survey for the closing....driving 2400 miles round trip, a few nights in motel, plus meals = $600. I now own the boat but it needed 2 more round trips getting it ready for the trip ( shake down cruises and system checks). That totalled about $1000. Final trip...drive 1200 miles and girlfriend drives back 1200 miles. Food and misc for trip for me and 3 friends = total about $1000. Now keep in mind that 2 of my crew buddies flew in from different areas at their own expense just because they wanted to make the trip, so I was lucky there. Anyway, lots can be saved if you were to purchase the boat and immediately move on and stay on boat till the day of departure and not have to make all the trips. P.S. Moving the boat with friends was a priceless experience for me since I had never made a trip that long before. Total of 11 days. Good luck in what ever you do. Tony B
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