I may have to move my boat 2000+ miles, and am wondering if anyone has had a boat moved. What company did you use? Problems, Suggestions, recomendations? Any extra "Hidden" charges? Thanks
Moving a boat, shipping?
- Thread starter Doghouse
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Agents
Do a search on google for boat movers, or something to that effect. You'll get a list of agents who will find the right mover for you. I moved my 35' boat from Newport, RI to Maryland this way for $1100. Try to find one with a hydraulic trailer - they are much less expensive because they require less labor. Also try to find a truck looking for a second leg of an existing trip. If you are in no hurry, you can save some money.
Do a search on google for boat movers, or something to that effect. You'll get a list of agents who will find the right mover for you. I moved my 35' boat from Newport, RI to Maryland this way for $1100. Try to find one with a hydraulic trailer - they are much less expensive because they require less labor. Also try to find a truck looking for a second leg of an existing trip. If you are in no hurry, you can save some money.
I would figure $6k plus
I would figure at least 6,000 you may have charges on both ends depending on the yard. Then you need to figure a lift of the rig to re-step the mast, probably a bottom job too. Be sure that your shipper has the proper credintials & insurance to transport your vessel. You also want to try to get all of the work on your standing rig done while it is on the hard. Replace sheaves and standing rigging is much easier while you rig is down. Don't forget the electrical too.
I would figure at least 6,000 you may have charges on both ends depending on the yard. Then you need to figure a lift of the rig to re-step the mast, probably a bottom job too. Be sure that your shipper has the proper credintials & insurance to transport your vessel. You also want to try to get all of the work on your standing rig done while it is on the hard. Replace sheaves and standing rigging is much easier while you rig is down. Don't forget the electrical too.
Hidden charges
You didn't specify, but assuming a road move, your hauler will need overwidth permits for each state. These take time to arrange and the haulers time = your money. A hydraulic trailer will save cost as they normally don't require a crane or travellift to load/unload the boat. Make sure anything on the boat is secured, especially anything heavy. Empty the tanks if you can. Make sure all the rigging is wrapped with duct tape, safety wired etc : the vibration of a road trip can cause stuff like turnbuckles to come apart, fall off etc. Try to close all vents etc as 2000 miles of diesel exhaust & road grime can get the interior pretty grubby if there's a lot of air flow thru the cabin. Make sure that the hauler has full liability insurance for the trip and that you'll be compensated for any & all damages to the boat or by the boat: get that in writing.
You didn't specify, but assuming a road move, your hauler will need overwidth permits for each state. These take time to arrange and the haulers time = your money. A hydraulic trailer will save cost as they normally don't require a crane or travellift to load/unload the boat. Make sure anything on the boat is secured, especially anything heavy. Empty the tanks if you can. Make sure all the rigging is wrapped with duct tape, safety wired etc : the vibration of a road trip can cause stuff like turnbuckles to come apart, fall off etc. Try to close all vents etc as 2000 miles of diesel exhaust & road grime can get the interior pretty grubby if there's a lot of air flow thru the cabin. Make sure that the hauler has full liability insurance for the trip and that you'll be compensated for any & all damages to the boat or by the boat: get that in writing.
shipper
I shipped my Mac 26x to Limmasol(middle East) with a company called Easten Export, in Norfolk V.A. Contact Glen Tribble 966,norfolk Square,Virginia,23502,he was most helpfull and is a Sailor to boot.my Mac went in a 40ft Container,he charged $200 dollars to put it in and $2000, to ship it here, Total cost to me was £9,000 Cypriot pounds,for a 1998 Mac,,way to go,such a good deal,God Bless America,(wish i could get a green Card) Best of Luck Neal Warren (Captain Retd, Army)
I shipped my Mac 26x to Limmasol(middle East) with a company called Easten Export, in Norfolk V.A. Contact Glen Tribble 966,norfolk Square,Virginia,23502,he was most helpfull and is a Sailor to boot.my Mac went in a 40ft Container,he charged $200 dollars to put it in and $2000, to ship it here, Total cost to me was £9,000 Cypriot pounds,for a 1998 Mac,,way to go,such a good deal,God Bless America,(wish i could get a green Card) Best of Luck Neal Warren (Captain Retd, Army)
Happy with this Company
Last fall I moved my Catalina 320 from Charleston, SC to Buffalo, NY a total of about 900 miles. I was extremely happy with Lockview Marina & Transport. Trucking cost $1,150.00.The marina in Charleston charged about $1,200.00 to prep the boat and load it on the truck. In Buffalo the cost was about $300 to unload the truck and put the boat on its cradle. Trucks hate to travel any great distance empty. Look for a truck in the area you are moving to which has a truck in VA and needs a load back home, or a truck in VA which has a load they need to pick up in the area you are moving to. Make sure you make arrangements at both ends to load and unload your boat. Transporters charge if they wait for more than a specified time at either end. Prep the boat very carefully and be prepared to do a lot of cleaning after delivery. Good luck with your move Capt. Chuck S/V Obsession
Last fall I moved my Catalina 320 from Charleston, SC to Buffalo, NY a total of about 900 miles. I was extremely happy with Lockview Marina & Transport. Trucking cost $1,150.00.The marina in Charleston charged about $1,200.00 to prep the boat and load it on the truck. In Buffalo the cost was about $300 to unload the truck and put the boat on its cradle. Trucks hate to travel any great distance empty. Look for a truck in the area you are moving to which has a truck in VA and needs a load back home, or a truck in VA which has a load they need to pick up in the area you are moving to. Make sure you make arrangements at both ends to load and unload your boat. Transporters charge if they wait for more than a specified time at either end. Prep the boat very carefully and be prepared to do a lot of cleaning after delivery. Good luck with your move Capt. Chuck S/V Obsession
Charges at originating boat yard
I work at a boat yard and horror stories from originating boat yards amaze me, like Chuck who paid $1200 for the prep... thats crazy. Too often when a boat is being shipped away the need for the originating yard to stick to a high moral standard in the community goes out the window. You are far away and not there to make sure you aren't screwed, and you and your boat are leaving for good so you won't be there to harm their reputation. When you pay for haul out and launch there is little diffrence between splashing the boat and placing it on a trailer. It takes maybe 30 mins longer to put the boat on a trailer (but the driver does this so the yard isn't paying labor) and the yard boss may have to coordinate time schedule with the driver, but this should be seen as courtesy not cost. Dropping and prepping the rig takes some time, but don't let them fool you any charge of more than 3 manhours labor is rediculus. They really like to get you when they charge you for the boom truck or crane that pulls your mast. The truth is the truck charges by the hour and is only on site for 15-20 mins. At our yard we try to arrange to drop several masts at once that way you don't pay for a whole hour, if he does 3 or 4 masts in an hour then you pay a third or quarter of the cost. You may even want to call some local crane or towing companies in the area and make your own arrangements. You may have to pay "outside labor" charges to the yard, but save money in the long run beacause this should only cost $100-$200 an hour. My best advice is to be onsite when the boat is loaded... loosen the turn buckles and release the stays your self (its not rocket science), remove the boom yourself, disconnect wires at the mast step yourself, secure the rigging yourself once the mast is down. This will save you hundreds in easy labor and you'll be onsite so they aren't tempted to screw you. At the very least agreee on a price with the yard and let them know you expect to hold them to it so they don't sneak extra time and difficulties in on you, remember you aren't there to ensure they are telling the truth.
I work at a boat yard and horror stories from originating boat yards amaze me, like Chuck who paid $1200 for the prep... thats crazy. Too often when a boat is being shipped away the need for the originating yard to stick to a high moral standard in the community goes out the window. You are far away and not there to make sure you aren't screwed, and you and your boat are leaving for good so you won't be there to harm their reputation. When you pay for haul out and launch there is little diffrence between splashing the boat and placing it on a trailer. It takes maybe 30 mins longer to put the boat on a trailer (but the driver does this so the yard isn't paying labor) and the yard boss may have to coordinate time schedule with the driver, but this should be seen as courtesy not cost. Dropping and prepping the rig takes some time, but don't let them fool you any charge of more than 3 manhours labor is rediculus. They really like to get you when they charge you for the boom truck or crane that pulls your mast. The truth is the truck charges by the hour and is only on site for 15-20 mins. At our yard we try to arrange to drop several masts at once that way you don't pay for a whole hour, if he does 3 or 4 masts in an hour then you pay a third or quarter of the cost. You may even want to call some local crane or towing companies in the area and make your own arrangements. You may have to pay "outside labor" charges to the yard, but save money in the long run beacause this should only cost $100-$200 an hour. My best advice is to be onsite when the boat is loaded... loosen the turn buckles and release the stays your self (its not rocket science), remove the boom yourself, disconnect wires at the mast step yourself, secure the rigging yourself once the mast is down. This will save you hundreds in easy labor and you'll be onsite so they aren't tempted to screw you. At the very least agreee on a price with the yard and let them know you expect to hold them to it so they don't sneak extra time and difficulties in on you, remember you aren't there to ensure they are telling the truth.
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