We are moving our boat across the country this winter. After much deliberation we found a broker with a reasonable price (we looked at about 10 different quotes). Just recently the marina manager (destination) recommended we avoid a broker and only use an owner/operator. Any experience out there on if it really matters? Brokers are a bit cheaper, on the magnitude of a couple thousand. Thanks
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Cindy
Owner preferred
When we purchased our boat we had to ship it - contacted a broker, got a price, made arrangements for the boat to be transported. The load day came and no truck. Called the broker, who then had to contact the transporter (which took several hours). The transporter had the pick up scheduled, said they had a truck dispatched and in the end the transport company called me back and said they had no idea where their truck and driver were, they couldn't locate either! I had to go home and start over. I decided no more broker. At that time all transport companies did not have air-ride trailers (maybe they still don't-I don't know). But I located a transport company that I felt comfortable with and contracted with the owner/driver. He showed up exactly when he said he would, arrived on the other end exactly when he said he would. Boat was in the same condition as when I had last seen it and everyone was happy. Based on our experience, we would only use an owner/operator/drive, and most likely the same one we used before, if possible. I do not know where you are moving your boat from and to, but I would be happy to give you the name and phone number of the man we used. Good Luck!!
When we purchased our boat we had to ship it - contacted a broker, got a price, made arrangements for the boat to be transported. The load day came and no truck. Called the broker, who then had to contact the transporter (which took several hours). The transporter had the pick up scheduled, said they had a truck dispatched and in the end the transport company called me back and said they had no idea where their truck and driver were, they couldn't locate either! I had to go home and start over. I decided no more broker. At that time all transport companies did not have air-ride trailers (maybe they still don't-I don't know). But I located a transport company that I felt comfortable with and contracted with the owner/driver. He showed up exactly when he said he would, arrived on the other end exactly when he said he would. Boat was in the same condition as when I had last seen it and everyone was happy. Based on our experience, we would only use an owner/operator/drive, and most likely the same one we used before, if possible. I do not know where you are moving your boat from and to, but I would be happy to give you the name and phone number of the man we used. Good Luck!!
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Bill; S/V Calico Dragon
Could You Share the Name With All
Cindy - Sounds like you were really pleased with the transporter you used. We see posts periodically about boat transport. It maybe helpful to all of us if you shared the name of this company you had good experience with. Bill
Cindy - Sounds like you were really pleased with the transporter you used. We see posts periodically about boat transport. It maybe helpful to all of us if you shared the name of this company you had good experience with. Bill
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VPeterson
Boat transport
I had my h37c moved from Md to Ca and went thru A-1 Boat Transport. A-1 BOAT TRANSPORT AN AGENT FOR CARROLL FULMER LOGISTICS CORP. 14101 W. HWY 290 1100B, AUSTIN TX 78737 (800) 792-1118 FAX(512) 858-0868 I think this is the website, but I don't have all my records here. http://www.a-1boattransport.com/info.cfm They we're a couple of days late on the pickup (Claimed the truck broke down, so I missed the loading) They were one of the few that would give me a specific pickup date. Boat arrived ahead of schedule and in great shape. I got online estimates from several companies and checked out their safety records on the safersys site below. I used this site earlier this year, it had a simpler interface then and they now seem to be trying to charge for reports but you can still get the general information for free if you dig a little. Just start with the company snapshot and go from there. Use Carroll Fulmer for the company name, A-1 is not listed. http://www.safersys.org Verify they have cargo insurance and that the policy is current. I did the prep work. Good luck, vp
I had my h37c moved from Md to Ca and went thru A-1 Boat Transport. A-1 BOAT TRANSPORT AN AGENT FOR CARROLL FULMER LOGISTICS CORP. 14101 W. HWY 290 1100B, AUSTIN TX 78737 (800) 792-1118 FAX(512) 858-0868 I think this is the website, but I don't have all my records here. http://www.a-1boattransport.com/info.cfm They we're a couple of days late on the pickup (Claimed the truck broke down, so I missed the loading) They were one of the few that would give me a specific pickup date. Boat arrived ahead of schedule and in great shape. I got online estimates from several companies and checked out their safety records on the safersys site below. I used this site earlier this year, it had a simpler interface then and they now seem to be trying to charge for reports but you can still get the general information for free if you dig a little. Just start with the company snapshot and go from there. Use Carroll Fulmer for the company name, A-1 is not listed. http://www.safersys.org Verify they have cargo insurance and that the policy is current. I did the prep work. Good luck, vp
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Andy
Who was that Cindy?
Cindy, Can post the name and # pls. No dount a bit of extra free advertising would not hurt them. Thank you VP as well. A bit more research to do but I have until Feb and (as we all feel) it is worth researching as much as possible.
Cindy, Can post the name and # pls. No dount a bit of extra free advertising would not hurt them. Thank you VP as well. A bit more research to do but I have until Feb and (as we all feel) it is worth researching as much as possible.
Horror story
At another site there was a long horror story concerning the company just mentioned by Peterson. The boat was literally weeks late, the company couldn't locate their truck, the owners got stories that included the driver quit, the truck broke down, the boat is in a secure storage yard, etc, etc. Finally their boat arrived on the West Coast missing a hatch. No explanations, no compensation.
At another site there was a long horror story concerning the company just mentioned by Peterson. The boat was literally weeks late, the company couldn't locate their truck, the owners got stories that included the driver quit, the truck broke down, the boat is in a secure storage yard, etc, etc. Finally their boat arrived on the West Coast missing a hatch. No explanations, no compensation.
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Peter
Overall facts-O/Op vs Broker
The fact is that if you engage an owner/op, you talk to the one who's goiung to haul your boat. The broker is a middleman. Although his business, as do all, depends on having satisfied customers, he has less control over the final result than the O/O. It's not often that a customer of a boat transport company becomes a "repeat", unless he's a yacht broker. I'd either use the O/O (after you've done your own "due dilgence", talked to him, seen his rig, and are satisfied), or I'd call a few yacht brokers and see who they use. Good luck!
The fact is that if you engage an owner/op, you talk to the one who's goiung to haul your boat. The broker is a middleman. Although his business, as do all, depends on having satisfied customers, he has less control over the final result than the O/O. It's not often that a customer of a boat transport company becomes a "repeat", unless he's a yacht broker. I'd either use the O/O (after you've done your own "due dilgence", talked to him, seen his rig, and are satisfied), or I'd call a few yacht brokers and see who they use. Good luck!
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Cindy
***Mariner Marine Transport***
Here is the name of the transport company we used. We would not hesitate to use them again, we were that pleased! Mariner Marine Boat Transport; Owner-Chuck Taylor;(561)687-9904;located at 1429 U.S. 1, Riviera Beach, Fl. 33404 The business card Mr. Taylor gave me says their truck has Air Ride Suspension, can haul up to 65', they are fully qualified and most importantly INSURED, as well as hauling to 49 states and Canada.
Here is the name of the transport company we used. We would not hesitate to use them again, we were that pleased! Mariner Marine Boat Transport; Owner-Chuck Taylor;(561)687-9904;located at 1429 U.S. 1, Riviera Beach, Fl. 33404 The business card Mr. Taylor gave me says their truck has Air Ride Suspension, can haul up to 65', they are fully qualified and most importantly INSURED, as well as hauling to 49 states and Canada.
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Augie Byllott
Marine transport
All transporters have one thing in common. They want to get their load to its destination so that they can get paid. The boat gets picked, on time or late, and it arrives on time or late. My chief concern would be the insurance situation. My first call would be to my own insurance carrier to find out the limits of my coverage. My next call would be to the broker of the boat transporter to determine the limits of his coverage with respect to my boat. I'd also want an insurance certificate from the transporter's carrier naming me as an insured party. The fee is minimal. These days when everybody runs to 1-800-LAWYERS who sues everybody in sight, I want to avoid getting sucked into a lawsuit because the boat transporter swerved to avoid some kid on a bicycle and accidentally flipped my boat onto an oncoming car.
All transporters have one thing in common. They want to get their load to its destination so that they can get paid. The boat gets picked, on time or late, and it arrives on time or late. My chief concern would be the insurance situation. My first call would be to my own insurance carrier to find out the limits of my coverage. My next call would be to the broker of the boat transporter to determine the limits of his coverage with respect to my boat. I'd also want an insurance certificate from the transporter's carrier naming me as an insured party. The fee is minimal. These days when everybody runs to 1-800-LAWYERS who sues everybody in sight, I want to avoid getting sucked into a lawsuit because the boat transporter swerved to avoid some kid on a bicycle and accidentally flipped my boat onto an oncoming car.
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