Ship A Boat With UShip?

[Sail123]

Problem: Purchasing a 32' sailboat, 7500 pounds, 8' beam, on 6 wheel trailer. Boat sits on the trailer in LA, CA and I am in Lincoln NE, 1500 miles away, one way.

To travel round trip to LA is 52 hours not counting breaks, sleep, getting lost, breakdowns, etc.

It would cost me $1500 in fuel in my truck that gets 6.6 MPG (Kenworth T200 motorhome (toterhome)

I would loose a weeks work, and sleep at least two days licking my wounds once home again (traveling wears me out)

A uShip bid came in at $1500 with a couple day stop over at his tow yard in Texas (I am in Nebraska)

The mover has a 100% feedback in 51 moves at uShip.

Other than the fact I have not seen the boat, what could go wrong?

I have seen pics, and talked to the mechanic of the boat. Boat owned by bank VP that spent way too much money on the boat already, appears to only need cleaning, been in hard storage on the six wheel trailer four years. Very dirty.

I am inclined to call my insurance agent, insure the daylights out of it, send the seller the money, and let the uShip guy have at it.

Advice is always a good thing, what options do you all have (except why are you buying another boat! lol)

 

[Andy1237]

Uship offer may be fair; here is another option to check out. Take a cheap flight to LA and rent a U-Haul Truck one way. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[CPseudonym]

Have the mechanic in LA inspect and repack the bearings, verify the brakes work. If the trailer tires are in rough shape I'd suggest changing them too(we all know trailer tires wear out long before the tread has a chance to thin). No different than if you picked it up yourself so far. Correct?

Most UShip guys that are experienced can care less if your lights work or not as most have their own portable magnetic ones they know work anyway.

Then I'd insure it and pay the UShip guy to do the tow for you. Your $1500 in fuel does not include meals and wear and tear on you and your vehicle plus lost wages if you need to take time off work. I think the UShip bid will be cheaper by at least $400 + wages in the grand scheme of things. JMHO

 

[Joe]

Why do you want another boat? Especially that one?

 

[JRacer]

My most recent experience here in KS was 4 bucks a mile. That was a "wide-load" on their trailer but about 7500 pounds. Guy here had a 32 foot boat hauled from Annapolis and it was around 5K, 2 years ago.

 

[Tim R.]

...Other than the fact I have not seen the boat, what could go wrong?

I have seen pics, and talked to the mechanic of the boat. Boat owned by bank VP that spent way too much money on the boat already, appears to only need cleaning, been in hard storage on the six wheel trailer four years. Very dirty...

I guarantee this boat needs more than just cleaning. Have you had a proper survey? Insurance will require it.

 

[mark_swart]

I'm pursuing a uship bid to move my boat this summer from VA to NM on my trailer. I could possibly pull it myself, but at 90+ percent of my towing capacity, I'd rather spend the money on a shipper than probably destroying the transmission of my vehicle. Your $1,500 quote is well under half of what I have seen for my 2,000 mile move... I don't think you could go wrong.
The big thing with uship is time -- the haulers will want to find a backhaul so they aren't driving back empty. If you give them time to line this up, everyone saves $$. But if you have to have it on a certain day at a certain minute, then you will be paying more.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I think it's a great price and would second Cpseudonym on prepping the trailer. I'd also replace the tires prior to the shipper taking over, got to be cheaper than replacing them one at a time on the road.
Unlike fine wine, trailer tires do not get better with age.

 

[Sail123]

Why do you want another boat? Especially that one?

I already have the sister ship to this, and contrary to popular belief, these can make fine sailing. This is a fancier model than the one I already have.

 

[seadaddler]

Someone

Ask here if someone lives near the boat and look it over for you,worth a shot.
Very important tires and bearings are good so it does not break down and coast big $$$$$ to repair,do the uship drivers check things out before taking it and risk a break down,if it's been sitting a long time who knows what the condition of trires.
If the price is good go for it.
Nick

 

[Sail123]

New tires Monday. Six of them installed in the storage area, one grand. Ouch.

Will add new grease to bearing buddies.

I believe I will have it shipped. That way I do not loose time at work, and I can still go sailing rather than acting like a long haul truck driver. Best bids are around sixteen hundred bucks. By real truckers using pick ups. I believe it is too tall to put on a regular flatbed.

 

[CPseudonym]

New tires Monday. Six of them installed in the storage area, one grand. Ouch.

Will add new grease to bearing buddies.

I believe I will have it shipped. That way I do not loose time at work, and I can still go sailing rather than acting like a long haul truck driver. Best bids are around sixteen hundred bucks. By real truckers using pick ups. I believe it is too tall to put on a regular flatbed.

For your sake I hope all those bearings need is grease. I greased the bearing buddies on mine before towing it 6 miles across town at 30mph max and the hubs where so hot you could fry an egg on them. Took them apart and both outer bearings where toast(single axle trailer with no brakes).

Paying a mechanic to inspect and replace(if needed) in its current location will be a whole lot cheaper than getting them done in the middle of Arizona.

Enjoy your new boat.

 

[RichH]

Id also look at the mfg. date on TIRES ... and if over say 8-10 years of age would replace them or send the hauler a complete WHEEL 'assembly' (bearings, bearing seals, wheel, new tire, etc. already 'put together') for instant replacement if the old 'dried-out' tires become instant 'road-alligators' while in transit.

Im a person who wears a belt, suspenders, and velcro to hold it all together ... I'd spend the extra $$$ for a complete 'condition' survey ... not just an 'insurance survey'
... and Id have that trailer. especially its 'running gear', fully inspected, to boot. 'Down time' for a hauler is added to your bill if 'the worse' happens during transit ... its always in the 'fine print' of the contract.

 

[Sail123]

Bearings were redone 5 years ago, and the trailer has neen sitting. New tires then also, but they rotted off.