Trucking/transporting a sailboat from NY to OR

[docrn]

Considering buying an east coast boat and having it trucked to Oregon.

Who’s done this and how much of a PIA is it? I don’t quite have all the measurements yet so I haven’t gotten a quote but I am guessing a coast to coast run is going to be around 8-10k including yard fees on each end.

I think I will like the boat (still need to look at it) but I am still up in the air as to whether or not it’s worth the hassle and expense. Please share your experiences to help me decide.

[Bruce Beard]

Choose your carrier carefully! We trucked a 40’ Trawler from the PNW to RI one year ago and it was not without its challenges.
It was also some 5 times the budget you suggested...
In our case, what was supposed to be an 8 to 10 day trip turned into the best part of a month due to inept office staff getting permits wrong.
Boat was safe in the end but...

[docrn]

Originally Posted by Bruce Beard

Choose your carrier carefully! We trucked a 40’ Trawler from the PNW to RI one year ago and it was not without its challenges.
It was also some 5 times the budget you suggested...
In our case, what was supposed to be an 8 to 10 day trip turned into the best part of a month due to inept office staff getting permits wrong.
Boat was safe in the end but...

Thanks
Wow. So 40-50k?! This would be for a Tayana 38 which is not really any shorter but I suspect narrower and kind of on the heavy side at 22,500lbs. In any case that would absolutely take it out of the realm of reality for me. I’ll call around a bit and see what I can find out tomorrow. Yeesh.

[Bruce Beard]

Closer to $30,000.
We also took the boat further into New England so that cost extra.
Still, it is incredibly expensive!
We used one of the oldest boat transport companies in the US.
Never again!

[skipmac]

A bigger factor than the length of the boat is the beam and the height. On the 38 you're looking at height should not be a problem but beam anything more than 10' in most States requires a special permit and in some States requires a chase car to accompany the truck. Also limited to travel only in daylight hours and potentially other restrictions. Bottom line boats much over 30' or not gonna be cheap to move a long distance

[cc1842]

Several years ago I bought a boat in Wisconsin and had it shipped to coastal NC. I used U Ship with no problems!!! Very reasonable cost and gps tracking.

[TBW]

Have used Andrews trucking. Very good, experienced, professional.
905 2624223
over 10 ft beam expect significant cost increase

[kimwindjammin]

We trucked a 44' Gulf Star from RI to Oregon last fall. It was a drama due to being over height and using an inept shipping company. Whatever you do, do NOT use "Need a Boat Hauler" as a broker or Deep Water Transport as a trucker. Since we left from RI, we had low bridges, police escorts, travel restrictions, permits galore and all causing delays. The price was around $17,000 and the boat arrived in about 8 days with some relatively minor damage (chafing on the mast and scratches on the topsides). We however had to change our flights due to the delays...Good luck!

[ArmyDaveNY]

If you're looking at several tens of thousands, would it be less expensive to hire someone to deliver it? The only problem with delivery is the time required to deliver it.

[Robert E]

Originally Posted by docrn

Considering buying an east coast boat and having it trucked to Oregon.

Who’s done this and how much of a PIA is it? I don’t quite have all the measurements yet so I haven’t gotten a quote but I am guessing a coast to coast run is going to be around 8-10k including yard fees on each end.

I think I will like the boat (still need to look at it) but I am still up in the air as to whether or not it’s worth the hassle and expense. Please share your experiences to help me decide.

As others have said, first find a good carrier and get a firm price. Then you will have a better idea if its is worth the expense. Check with marinas to get their opinion of the carriers you are considering. Last year we had a Nonsuch 33 shipped from Ohio to Oregon. The cost was $10,000. The condition of the boat and its rarity here were major factors in our decision. With a good carrier, and marina make sure the vessel is properly prepared for the trip. This includes clean and dry bilges to meet invasive species regulations. Good luck. Bob, SV Shamrock

[captmikem]

Dock Express or other floating carriers might be the best option. if you are not time driven they give a good price to fill an empty space.

M

[Dartanyon]

Another for the "bad experience" column, here.

We hired a reputable company, firm quote, and everything you should do, but they sub'ed it out to another carrier without ever telling us.

Moving our Norseman 447 from Tampa to Seattle. Was supposed to be 10 days, and $20K, she was over width in several states. The driver apparently made some poor business/life choices that came calling as he was hauling our boat, he ran out of money and stashed our boat at a truck stop in Oklahoma, wouldn't answer our calls, or those of the company that hired him, boat was MIA for 6 weeks. Finally located it through social media and threatened the driver with cops at his door. Long story short we ended up getting our boat, paying almost $30k, suing the driver, who was ordered to pay restitution (never seen a cent).

I am sure our experience was/is not the norm. I'm sure there are good drivers our there, I've talked to some even ...

More than that though ... I now think boats just don't like riding on trailers, especially big heavy cruisers. They are designed to be supported by water, and when you point load them on a trailer and then vibrate for 3,000 miles across the country, bad things happen. We had minor damage here and there, especially where the straps pulled down, damage to the mast, but I think it put a LOT of wear and tear on everything.

My advice would be find a closer boat. I'd never truck a cruising boat again.

[LeeV]

We had our 36' folding trimaran and massive trailer trucked to just below Annapolis from Victoria, British Columbia at the cost of 10K. They strapped the boat to the trailer, hoisted the entire rig, removed the wheel/tire carriage assembly, set the rig on a low boy trailer and put the wheel carriage on the gooseneck of the trailer. The cost included the ferry and all wide load permits for all states on the route. We paid to have the boat shrink wrapped and I would highly recommend it - that saved the boat from being beat up by dirt, salt, etc.....

Would I do it again? Hmmm, not sure, as it was a PITA, mostly because it came from out of the US, but she's a limited production boat. If I was buying a production mono - no way. There are too many boats out there from which to choose.

Good luck.

[bauer965]

Docrn,
I've transport 3 times without any hassle at all. My Tayana Mariner 36 is similar to yours, size wise, since it also has a 4 ft bowsprit and a couple feet of wind vane on the transom.
Cape Cod to Seattle was $12,000 last Spring. Previously, SF to Annapolis was about the same price, so this isn't an anomaly.
Let Mark know at Winston Trucking (wemoveboats.com) that I referred you.
If he is not available, I've also done a shorter haul in the Northeast from Lockview Marina, who are up your way in NY.
Don't let these guys will bad stories scare you off. Both of the above provide quality services, and don't have a 3 page checklist of things you need to certify that you've done before they load your boat. Mark's driver loaded my motorcycle on some free space behind the rudder for a $100 tip. Nice. Be flexible and nice and you'll walk away happy.

[dmalcol1]

Originally Posted by TBW

Have used Andrews trucking. Very good, experienced, professional.
905 2624223
over 10 ft beam expect significant cost increase

2400lb, 42foot long, 12foot beam, 13 foot height, kingston Ontario to Vancouver British Columbia 3000 miles and over mountain's $15000 CANADIAN thats a 30% discount at todays exchange rates to us dollars. Andrews Trucking