Transporting a 34' Boat from the East Coast to California ?

[bdurham]

can anyone point me in the direction of a reliable and cheap mover?

[NorthPacific]

I moved a Dufour 35 east to west 12 years ago. Found broker firms had better much better prices.

[bdurham]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

I moved a Dufour 35 east to west 12 years ago. Found broker firms had better much better prices.

what was your overall cost? do you have any suggestions of who to go with?

[Maren]

Originally Posted by bdurham

can anyone point me in the direction of a reliable and cheap mover?

I used a firm, Lewis Specialized Trucking -- twice. Great folks.

In general I recommend you avoid movers who have threatened to kill federal agents because they got caught moving zebra-mussel infested boats.

[doug86]

Originally Posted by bdurham

reliable and cheap mover?

Those may be mutually exclusive in the boat moving world. The cheapest quotes you will get are from brokers and freight consolidators. The trucks they contract with may or may not have any boat moving experience. Moving a boat of that size across the country is a highly specialized task, requiring permits and probably a lead car for part of the trip.

For instance, the guy I used (American Yacht Transport) to move my 40'er actually had his own personal database of bridge clearances, measured by his wife who drove the lead car. He told me that the state permit offices often don't have accurate clearance heights because of repaving, and that he did drive around a number of underpasses in Texas that his permit allowed him to pass under.

Sure, you can find a cheap quote. What happens when they don't show up for the scheduled load date? The worse cases I've heard of are trucks arriving at destination and suddenly there was an extra $$ for "permits we didn't think we needed". If you refuse, they refuse to unload your boat.

Ask around at large boat yards about the trucking companies that they find the most reliable and show up with undamaged loads. From that list, find one you can afford.

[bdurham]

could anyone just give me a ballpark estimate of what they may have payed for a boat around this size..

[doug86]

sure. From which ball park to which ball park? Fenway to Dodger Stadium, or Tampa to San Francisco? What is the beam of boat? How high will it sit on trailer? If you are thinking departing from New England, you're probably looking at a minimum of ten grand if it fits under 12' loaded.

I was quoted $12k from LA to JAX, $18k LA to Baltimore and $22k LA to Rhode Island for a 40' power with 13.5 beam, and 12' height loaded. I opted to go LA to Galveston at 16' loaded for $7500. I then used the basically free ICW from Galveston to Rhode Island.

The price is highly dependent on the size; width and especially height. How high will your load be? Will you take all the stanchions off? What is the beam of the boat? And exactly from where do you plan on departing. States north of Florida get crazy in costs and permits.

[Doonerack]

It's been a few years, but figure maybe $3 per mile for transport, plus $1000 on each end of the trip for prep, lift, rigging, etc. You'll probably have a limit of 13 ft. off the ground when it sits on the trailer. You can save some money if you do as much of the de-rigging and re-rigging as possible. Any local boatyard can recommend movers.

[NorthPacific]

Their are brokerage firms that deal with boats. They use low loaders and book the same companies you can beook yourself but at a significantly higher price. That was my research. Cost of loading and oft loading depends on what you want doing and what you are able to do yourself. Since it is a yard that does this work anyway it is not down to the actual trucking operator. I always received full insurance quotes as well.The legal width limit is 12 feet and I cant remember the height my Dufour 35 had to have its stantions off to make the height restrictions and then was fine without the car.

Worth a few calls or emails maybe

[GordMay]

$1.65/Mile ➥ Boat Transport Company
$2.50/Mile ➥ Boat Transport & Delivery

[doug86]

Originally Posted by GordMay

$2.50/Mile ➥ Boat Transport & Delivery

PERMITS & TOLLS ADDITIONAL
( Prices as of January 2010, Fuel surcharge may be added

READ THE FINE PRINT! I don't think you can actually get a 34' boat moved from New England to California for $2.50/mile.

We're still waiting for the OP to tell us the from and to cities.

[GordMay]

Read all the print, and get a quote from a yacht/boat transport company.

[yachtfinder]

Did it once (2005) Fort Lauderdale/Alameda 361 Beneteau.

Was from a consolidator, nothing serious happened but it wasn't real smooth e.g. had to climb on truck to cinch straps as driver was too fat! Paid about 9K.

Other than a crane to get the rig off you should be able to handle most of in/out prep. Will be doing this again with a 393 Beneteau April 2012 and may sail to Galveston VS ship Fort Lauderdale/Ventura.

IN ANY CASE, HAVE A LOOK AT USHIP WEBSITE. MANY GOOD SAILBOAT TRUCKER EXAMPLES TO CK OUT, rules for Ins/Permits,etc.

Oh yes. Latest sales tx rule in CA is that boat must have been purchased 12 MONTHS before arrival or get stuck with sales tax difference vs amt paid elsewhere. Plus, personal prop tax at approx 1 1/2 % of boat value. Marinas send in an inventory each JANUARY to the local county Tax collector and you'll rcve. a bill.

PS my current insurer, MARKEL DOES NOT cover trucking in excess of 250 miles, just a thought.