Does anyone have any experiences or horror stories about shipping their boat? I'm looking for some recommendations for a good company.
- Status
Boat transport
I will give you give you good and the bad. I had one of my boats moved to the West Coast and back, over a two year period. Only problem, took forever to clean upon receipt both times. On the other hand, when my new 356 was delivered from the factory in 2002, it was destroyed in a car truck accident. This was the result of someone in a car falling asleep at the wheel and running up the back of the truck. Unfortunately, I do not believe the driver of the car ever woke up. The replacement boat arrived safely. I had the 356 moved to Florida in 2004. Arrived dirty, but safe. I used American Boat transportation (the Hunter trucker) every time and with the exception of the accident, I was always satisfied By the way, I never covered my boat because I was told if the plastic tears it can do damage
I will give you give you good and the bad. I had one of my boats moved to the West Coast and back, over a two year period. Only problem, took forever to clean upon receipt both times. On the other hand, when my new 356 was delivered from the factory in 2002, it was destroyed in a car truck accident. This was the result of someone in a car falling asleep at the wheel and running up the back of the truck. Unfortunately, I do not believe the driver of the car ever woke up. The replacement boat arrived safely. I had the 356 moved to Florida in 2004. Arrived dirty, but safe. I used American Boat transportation (the Hunter trucker) every time and with the exception of the accident, I was always satisfied By the way, I never covered my boat because I was told if the plastic tears it can do damage
Have it waxed and shrink wrapped
before it hits the highway (easier than cleaning diesel snot off your hull)
before it hits the highway (easier than cleaning diesel snot off your hull)
Shipped three times
The 'why' would take too long to explain, but we shipped our Hunter 43 and our Hunter 54 (which we were trying to sell) from Seattle to San Diego without incident. After sailing the 43 to Cabo San Lucas and into the Sea of Cortez to San Carlos we decided to ship it back to San Diego. That entailed a Mexican truck to Tucson and transfer to a US truck for the trip to San Diego. Again, we did not have any problems. Maybe we were just lucky.
The 'why' would take too long to explain, but we shipped our Hunter 43 and our Hunter 54 (which we were trying to sell) from Seattle to San Diego without incident. After sailing the 43 to Cabo San Lucas and into the Sea of Cortez to San Carlos we decided to ship it back to San Diego. That entailed a Mexican truck to Tucson and transfer to a US truck for the trip to San Diego. Again, we did not have any problems. Maybe we were just lucky.
Shipped 2 boats. No problem
Hi Paul, I shipped my 28.5 from Montreal to Biloxi, MS in May 97. Very happy with CanAm Transport and got a good rate since I was moving the boat South and they were doing a lot of dead-heading to haul boats back up North at that time. Purchased my 34 in MD in Spring of 99 and moved it to Montreal. Used Equipe Service because they were the only ones available as quickly as I needed them. Got reasonnable rate and fabulous service. The driver was even calling me to report on his progress ! In both cases, I prepared the boat myself. I only covered the mast with carpeting wrapped in Saran Wrap. Worked great. Not a scratch on the masts. Both companies told me that covering the boat might lead to flapping and damage because of high pressure from the wind at highway speed. No problem at all and would not hesitate to do it again. I believe the trick is to do it with a reputable firm. Both companies had the boat fully covered by their insurance from the moment the boat is on the truck until it is unloaded at the end of the trip. Let us know where you are headed and good luck to you
Hi Paul, I shipped my 28.5 from Montreal to Biloxi, MS in May 97. Very happy with CanAm Transport and got a good rate since I was moving the boat South and they were doing a lot of dead-heading to haul boats back up North at that time. Purchased my 34 in MD in Spring of 99 and moved it to Montreal. Used Equipe Service because they were the only ones available as quickly as I needed them. Got reasonnable rate and fabulous service. The driver was even calling me to report on his progress ! In both cases, I prepared the boat myself. I only covered the mast with carpeting wrapped in Saran Wrap. Worked great. Not a scratch on the masts. Both companies told me that covering the boat might lead to flapping and damage because of high pressure from the wind at highway speed. No problem at all and would not hesitate to do it again. I believe the trick is to do it with a reputable firm. Both companies had the boat fully covered by their insurance from the moment the boat is on the truck until it is unloaded at the end of the trip. Let us know where you are headed and good luck to you
Andrews
It can cost less to have a boat delivered in the fall than the spring/summer. Andrews in Toronto takes boats to the south in the fall and they need something to bring back on the return trip. 36' from Florida in the summer is $5500.00. Your could save 30% if the delivery was in the fall. Also, any boat with a beam of 12' plus has an added cost for a lead or flag truck. have fun
It can cost less to have a boat delivered in the fall than the spring/summer. Andrews in Toronto takes boats to the south in the fall and they need something to bring back on the return trip. 36' from Florida in the summer is $5500.00. Your could save 30% if the delivery was in the fall. Also, any boat with a beam of 12' plus has an added cost for a lead or flag truck. have fun
To John
Did you get your boat ready for shipping to florida and did the arch need to be removed and was the mast taken apart I will be moving my hunter 290 to port charlotte when I retire in a few years,maybe ship in the fall and use one of the hunter trucks that deliver in ny or ct. How do you like sailing and living in florida compared to ct.,I am related to brian and sharon from brewster,ny and now living in ct. nick
Did you get your boat ready for shipping to florida and did the arch need to be removed and was the mast taken apart I will be moving my hunter 290 to port charlotte when I retire in a few years,maybe ship in the fall and use one of the hunter trucks that deliver in ny or ct. How do you like sailing and living in florida compared to ct.,I am related to brian and sharon from brewster,ny and now living in ct. nick
- Status