I am looking at a C320 in Michigan and want to ship to California. Need referrals for reliable and competitive shippers, and feedback for shippers to avoid. Prices I have been quoted range from $6,000 to $12,000.
Shipping from Michigan to California
- Thread starter davidhammer
- Start date
I’d start by inquiring with a local yard-the one that will decommission the boat in MI. Alternatively, the yard that will receive the boat in CA. Get a list from them of the ones they’ve worked with, etc. Then go from there. Maybe you’ve done that already, I wouldn’t know. But I doubt you are going to get it for less than $6,000 unless you can double-load with another boat. When I shipped from FL to CA I stood by until a half-loaded truck needed the other half for a full load. My share of the ride was only about $3,000 for a Pearson 30, 8500# displacement; 9’ beam, and that 22 years ago.
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Check on the references for the chosen delivery folks. When we bought our present boat down in Alameda, CA, we found a reliable trucker with some help from sailing friends.
Back in '95, the bid was over 2K, if we wanted the truck to move totally for our convenience, several hundred less if we could wait while they put together a schedule to coordinate with other customers... and half that if we could help them out by filling an empty back haul on short notice. (!)
We did just that, and the cost was around $1300.
The present costs will be adjusted up for inflation, but the requirements of trucking will likely stay constant.
Good communication with the trucker and flexibility in scheduling make a huge difference in the price.
If there is a reasonable price for the yard wrapping the spar with both carpet pieces and heavy plastic, pay it. Also PAD the dickens out of ALL rigging parts and any loose pieces stored inside. Any minute chafe, anywhere, will abraid glass and varnish. Duct Tape all hatches closed..... a thousand miles of a 60 MPH 'apparent wind' can open up places that seem secure. An experienced driver will help you, but do not expect him/her to spend much time at the load out point. Remember their creed: "If the wheels aren't turning you're not earning."
Take lots of pix; it's quite an adventure.
Back in '95, the bid was over 2K, if we wanted the truck to move totally for our convenience, several hundred less if we could wait while they put together a schedule to coordinate with other customers... and half that if we could help them out by filling an empty back haul on short notice. (!)
We did just that, and the cost was around $1300.
The present costs will be adjusted up for inflation, but the requirements of trucking will likely stay constant.
Good communication with the trucker and flexibility in scheduling make a huge difference in the price.
If there is a reasonable price for the yard wrapping the spar with both carpet pieces and heavy plastic, pay it. Also PAD the dickens out of ALL rigging parts and any loose pieces stored inside. Any minute chafe, anywhere, will abraid glass and varnish. Duct Tape all hatches closed..... a thousand miles of a 60 MPH 'apparent wind' can open up places that seem secure. An experienced driver will help you, but do not expect him/her to spend much time at the load out point. Remember their creed: "If the wheels aren't turning you're not earning."
Take lots of pix; it's quite an adventure.
and a hidden message in that! Take lots of pix, hopefully not, but they may be the proof you need should something go off the rails.
We are going to launch in San Diego. The boat would require new antifouling paint before launching.
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Not sure if what I saw a few years ago was a one off or an actual option. Saw a boat (40 footer +/-) on a rail car. It was loaded on an intermodal unit that allows for double stacked 53' boxes. So, not lead or chase cars or over sized permits required. Check with BNSF one of the biggest if not the biggest railway..Maybe.......
Interesting idea, but not practical on a number of levels. The singe biggest issue is the width. Containers are about 8' wide overall, how wide is the boat? This didn't copy very well, but you can see that the useable width is someplace in the range of 7-8 feet.
40’ Flat Rack Container
40’ Flat Rack Container
| Interior Dimensions | Door Opening | Tare Weight | Payload | Cubic Capacity | ||||
| L: | 12.080 m | 39’7 9/16″ | 5,480 kg | 25,000 kg | ||||
| W: | 2.420 m | 7’11 1/4″ | 12,080 lbs | 55,113 lbs | ||||
| H: | 2.103 m | 6’10 13/16″ |
The boat we saw may have been on a track that didn't have width restrictions....but who knows... it was within a yellow metal framework, similar to what logs are transported.
Sayonara, larry ellisons maxi went around the country by train. open flatbed cars. draft 17'. the keel rode
on a separate flatbed that prolly allowed the overhangs from the hull. due to the draft, the train came down to a cement dock for ships in waukegan Ill. big crane, manitowoc, picked up the hull, held over keel, tightened up bolts, dropped into water, stepped the mast, tuned the rig. two hours time.you can do that with 18 kiwi olympians on the crew.
she won. missed the all time record by 2 minutes. then that boat sat in a shed in holland mich for ten years.
just money
steve fosset was there that year too. he had bought dennis conners catamaran, stars and strips. that vessel came by train as well. aussie olympians on that boat.
well, really just sharing old sea stories. i was in the transportation game. great lakes ships. in the 80's we charged $4.00 per ton to haul iron pellets from the north shore of lake superior to toledo. 747 miles. now that is some cheap transportation. 65,000 ish tons per load in the 1,000 footers. water depth at the sill at the locks at the soo determined the tonnage.
a ton of goods, 747 miles, $4.00, now that's some cheap hauling.
round trip, 5 days. 43, 45 trips a year. making money
a ton of goods, 747 miles, $4.00, now that's some cheap hauling.
round trip, 5 days. 43, 45 trips a year. making money
trains are way more cost effective than trucks. are they not? ships are cheaper still.
prolly, the loading on the train could get pricey, or not.
worth a couple of phone calls
prolly, the loading on the train could get pricey, or not.
worth a couple of phone calls
