Transport question give

[Tim22]

I want to move my Hunter 310 (31 ft) from Ottawa to Toronto (about 4.5 hours). Highways are major routes so no rough road. The transport company (boat specialists) advises me that a flatbed is the way to go for the best ride. It is, however, difficult to get a flatbed in to the yacht club and requires major upheaval moving boats that are on the hard around to get to the stationery crane. The club is suggesting using an hydraulic trailer which would avoid this problem. The transport company has both types of trailer available.

My question is how significant is the potential for ride related damage between these types of transport presuming no accidents.

Thanks for any insights
Tim

 

[Barnacle Bill]

If the hydraulic trailer is road legal, it should be just fine. Yard hydraulic trailers are usually not sprung, but road legal ones would be. I own an Econolift hydraulic trailer (built in Canada, BTW), and it is great for hauling boats down the highways. Comparing a flat bed, I assume you they are talking about a double-drop semi trailer which keeps the profile of the boat low so it can clear bridges. If it is an over the wheel flatbed you might have height problems.

 

[DArcy]

I can't comment on the flatbed vs hydraulic trailer question but have you contacted Loyalist Cove for boat transport? https://loyalistcovemarina.com/boat-transportation/
I haven't used them personally but I know of a couple of people that have and had good experience. They have both air-ride and hydraulic trailers.

 

[dziedzicmj]

Generally, you want to move your boat in a trailer that is built for transporting boats. A flatbed and a cradle is not a good idea, because you can damage the boat.

There is a guy in NSC who has a quite decent hydraulic trailer (certainly road-legal). Though, it might be a tad too small for your boat (I suggest checking).

I would also check that you could lift the boat with the Club's crane. I am afraid that a 310 is too heavy.

Marek

 

[svchickadee]

try website uship.com

 

[Tim22]

Thanks for all the replies. The trucking company was recommended by Wigger's in Bowmanville. The specialize in boat transport and when I said 'flatbed' I meant a trailer with the bed about 4 inches off the road specially designed for hauling boats. When I had the boat delivered it arrived on such a trailer and was a nightmare getting it in to the crane to unload. Not something anyone here wants to repeat!! with a 5000 Kg capacity the crane does handle the 310 which weighs in at only 8500 lbs.

The main reason for sending the boat out is to get the bottom done. It has developed a few blisters, and at 20 years old deserves a bottom job. I am interested to hear mention of Loyalist cove as I have heard good things about them. Do they operate a full service repair shop that could do the bottom? I believe they are in Kingston which would be less travel distance. I also got the name of Jay Morden from Marine Transport Solutions who I gather does a lot of work at Nepean.

Thanks all
Tim

 

[DayDreamer41]

You could always sail the boat to Toronto, not trying to be a SA, but a good way to go is to do a one way trip, takes approximately 1/2 the time, that is if you have the time to take such a trip. I know my wife and I delivered our boat to its current location approximately 500 km's, best trip we have had in a long time.

 

[dziedzicmj]

try website uship.com

If you try them, be careful; very careful.

There are great people providing service there, but there are also crooks.

Marek

 

[DArcy]

Seems like a lot of effort to send the boat to Toronto for a bottom job. Have you looked around locally to see if you can find anyone? The only people I know of that removed blisters around here did it themselves.
I'm pretty sure they could do it at Loyalist, they do fiberglass work. Worth a phone call at least.

 

[MitchM]

1) u ship is terrible, pm me for details. they are a bidder board. 2) you likely need a low boy trailer to haul this boat.

 

[Meriachee]

Yeah, what's been said. You could pay somebody to come from gta for far, far less than shipping the boat there if that's the only reason.

 

[Tim22]

Only problem with this idea are the Deschênes Rapids which are between my boat and Toronto. I would need to truck the boat around the rapids and then transit the Rideau Canal to Kingston on Lake Ontario where the mast could be raised for the sail to Toronto. It's a great trip that I did 35 years ago in a Tanzer 7.5 on my honeymoon. Very cozy!!

Given that the boat has to go on a truck anyway it just seems easier to truck it all the way and leave the mast etc. behind

 

[dziedzicmj]

problem with this idea are the Deschênes Rapids which are between my boat and Toronto

You should have tried it during our spring floods (;-). There was probably good 4-6 ft of water over the rapids at that time. Then you would have to do something about the Chaudiere Rapids and the dam. But at that time (after clearing the other rapids), you would have the experience.

 

[DArcy]

I've heard Doug Patterson at NSC can repair blisters. Might be worth looking in to before moving the boat. Let me know if you need contact info.

 

[dziedzicmj]

there are also a few others. I had very good experience with a couple of guys from Aylmer. Not overly cheap, but rather good and reliable. And there is Scott at NSC.