Shipping

[Mr Mac]

We are going to be moving from the Midwest back to WA within the next few months and my wife seems to think that we can ship our little boat at a reasonable rate. I think that since it's value is much greater than what we paid then we should just sell her and grab another one when we get to where we're going.

Thoughts?

 

[neilmcc]

Sounds like an opportunity for a new boat.
Just make sure you don't spend the money on something frivolous instead.

 

[windward54]

I'd take a look in Yachtworld.com to see what boats were going for in the area you were thinking of moving. At least you would have an idea of what you will be spending to replace your existing boat.

 

[nolasafari]

Time to go for that extra 2 feet.

 

[tkanzler]

You're not interested in towing it yourself?

 

[Mr Mac]

You're not interested in towing it yourself?

We would but we have no trailer nor anything to pull it with.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I thought a while back that people were saying that boat prices (resale boats) where generally much higher in the Pac NW ... something about limited supply and stronger demand. You might find it to your advantage to find an economic way to move her there.

 

[Mr Mac]

Based on what I have seen on both CL and YW, I can sell our boat here for three times what we paid for it and get a pretty decent boat with a couple or more feet, out there for a couple Gs extra.

 

[shemandr]

But your wife likes this boat? Normally, I would say sell it and buy another where you are going. It may be a different boat would suit your needs in a new location better than the existing one anyway. But … how much does she like it? Some decisions can't be made just on a dollars and cents basis. A mate who likes to go out with you is an intangible asset.

 

[Mr Mac]

In looking around and getting estimates for shipping the boat, it would cost around $4,000 or so to take it from IL to WA. Take in to consideration we only paid $1300 for the boat anyways, that would have us in to it at its current market value (certainly not what it could/should sell for) and still need to complete the retrofit.

My thinking is to sell it as it is (already far better condition than when we bought her a few weeks ago) for around $2500 to $3000) and then when we get to WA pick up a 27-30 foot boat for the same $4000 we would have spent otherwise and we're better off. In theory.

I did speak to the better 9/10ths and while she likes our H25, she's not that emotionally invested and thinks it may just be a good idea to part ways with it now and worry about one on the other side.

Thanks for all the input, it helps!

Mac

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'm confused ... how did you turn a $1300 boat into a $3,000 boat in just a few weeks. And how does anybody get emotionally attached to a boat during a few short weeks in November? Did you mean to say you bought her a few years ago?

Regardless, it doesn't make any sense to spend more on shipping than the boat is worth. But be careful about that $4,000 27' boat. The odds are highly in favor of needing to spend several grand in making her into something that you will actually want to sail right away. $4,000 for a boat that size sounds like an expensive project boat to me.

 

[capta]

This could be the perfect opportunity for a two-fer or even a three-fer, depending on the tax laws.
If you've gotta move all your stuff, how much of your stuff will the boat hold and will that reduction in shipping that stuff come close to the cost of shipping the boat?
Often relocation for employment has some tax benefits; could his cover shipping the boat loaded with personal stuff?

 

[Steve Dion]

Figure at least $3 per mile (2100 miles). I think you would be better off purchasing a trailer and towing it. Then you can sell it when you get to your destination if you do not want to keep it.

 

[centerline]

it depends on how much you love your boat.... it sounds like maybe the love has faded and its time to move on....
once we get a boat and invest a considerable amount of time and money into it, it becomes one of the family, but unlike a family member that we just arent as fond of as we could be, we can sell the boat and upgrade.... and only wish we could do that with the inlaws

its not that hard to tow it, and if you look at the time, trouble and expense of getting another boat set up like you want it, it may be worth paying one of those inlaws (or a friend) to tow it out here for you... a free trip for them and may be cheaper than a carrier would cost you.

 

[Mr Mac]

I'm confused ... how did you turn a $1300 boat into a $3,000 boat in just a few weeks. And how does anybody get emotionally attached to a boat during a few short weeks in November? Did you mean to say you bought her a few years ago?

Nope, we've only had her for a few weeks. As for turning $1300 in to $3k or so, she went well under what she is actually worth. The PO had two sailboats (this one and an H25.5) and has recently had to adopt their three grandkids so they didn't need another boat to insure and pay slip fees on. We were, without question, in the right place at the right time!

Regardless, it doesn't make any sense to spend more on shipping than the boat is worth. But be careful about that $4,000 27' boat. The odds are highly in favor of needing to spend several grand in making her into something that you will actually want to sail right away. $4,000 for a boat that size sounds like an expensive project boat to me.

My thinking from the start! As for the next boat, I plan to take whatever we get for this one when we sell it and add what we would have spent to that for the next one making it around $7000.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Sell the boat. There are way to many boats on the coast that wouldn't warrant dragging a 25 foot boat across the country from inland.

ANY way you figure out how to move it..

 

[kenkindy1]

I agree. Selling seems best. You'll want bigger than 25 feet on the big water anyhow and some rain coverage for Washington.

 

[Mr Mac]

I'd like to be able to stand up straight, too!

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I agree. Selling seems best. You'll want bigger than 25 feet on the big water anyhow and some rain coverage for Washington.

^This. bigger boat for bigger waters.

plus the cost of fuel to tow, cost of trailer, hotels, time, etc, etc...

I think you can rent a uhaul truck and tow a boat, but... I wouldn't