Boat Transport

[NSboatman]

Hey folks-

I *may* (if all things align properly and the gods truly smile on me) have to truck a 47' steel cutter from Florida to Nova Scotia this summer. likely end of July. This is a daunting prospect, but I know many companies can do it. I also know that there are likely many pitfalls and things to avoid/ask about and check on.

Oh wise forumites - may I respectfully ask for your collective and individual wisdom on this venture (not the boat itself, the trucking part)?

things like - who/what company to use? issues with particular states or recommended routes to avoid issues? any contractual/insurance/permit things to be aware of as the owner?

And before you ask - no, I can't take the damn time off to sail it home, and yes, it already kills me. It hasn't sailed offshore in a long time, and I don't feel like trusting it to others with an untested/unfamiliar boat during Hurricane season... so trucking is a real option.

thanks for any assistance/wisdom you may have to offer-

[Maren]

Originally Posted by NSboatman

Hey folks-

I *may* (if all things align properly and the gods truly smile on me) have to truck a 47' steel cutter from Florida to Nova Scotia this summer. likely end of July. This is a daunting prospect, but I know many companies can do it. I also know that there are likely many pitfalls and things to avoid/ask about and check on.

Oh wise forumites - may I respectfully ask for your collective and individual wisdom on this venture (not the boat itself, the trucking part)?

things like - who/what company to use? issues with particular states or recommended routes to avoid issues? any contractual/insurance/permit things to be aware of as the owner?

And before you ask - no, I can't take the damn time off to sail it home, and yes, it already kills me. It hasn't sailed offshore in a long time, and I don't feel like trusting it to others with an untested/unfamiliar boat during Hurricane season... so trucking is a real option.

thanks for any assistance/wisdom you may have to offer-

First of all, the beam needs to be under 8' 6" or you will need lead and trail vehicles. Secondly, AT ALL COSTS, avoid a shipper with a terrible reputation. The have one for a reason. When former employees have to start lawsuits, when the owner threatens to kill federal agents... that's a bad sign.

Also, be wary of places like Uship or even going with a shipping broker. The broker will only look to maximize his profit, so you don't know who you get stuck with.

The trucking company will know (they had better) what the regulations are for each state.

Finally, keep in mind that there is a decent amount of prep required to move a boat. You need to step the mast and lower any dodgers or biminis. You will of course need to stow loose items like cushions and you may wish to have the boat shrink-wrapped prior since the road has grime and rocks flying.

I had to move a boat twice. I very much liked dealing with Lewis Specialized Trucking.

[Sailmonkey]

All you need to do is find a reputable trucking company to ha

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

All you need to do is find a reputable trucking company to ha

Ndle the road, and a yard to pull the boat apart.

Stupid iphone

[Sabbatical II]

All of them will ask you to sign a contract, often it will be when the truck arrives and everyone is way too busy to read the fine print, let alone consult with your lawyer on what some of the legal mumbo jumbo might mean. There are some contracts out there (in Australia at least) that claim that they are not liable for any damage no matter how it is caused. I know a guy who just got his $1.5mill boat carted by such a company. It all went without a hitch so this guy still hasn't read what he signed up for.

My suggestion
Ask the companies for a copy of the contract long before moving day to puruse carefully at your leisure. This way you're not having to pay hourly hire for truck and crane while you read the contract and then discuss with the truckie what you don't like about it.

[JayCall]

NS-at that length, beam and weight, going over the road may be a pretty big issue. Have you considered shipping it? Will cost a bit more, but it is alot easier. Motor up, they lift, cradle, block, on deck, drop it at the destination, you crank it up and go.

I can reccommend one company, Peters & May, Vic Spellberg, 954-315-3848. They are a world-wide shipping company specializing in shipping yachts. They will quote one all-inclusive price. I have no affiliation with them other than they are shipping a 58', 49 ton boat for me this summer. I did a lot of checking and everything I have heard about them has been excellent. I know they got me a solid quote and shipping date from Port Everglades to Vancouver, CA in two days. Price includes absolutely everything, insurance included.

Hope it works out for you.

[engele]

We hauled a our roughly 40' boat (hangs out to 47' with a 10.5" beam), from Bellingham WA to San Diego last February with a company in Vancouver WA. No chase cars were needed. It depends on states involved and the time of day that the truck will be driving. We used sky services inc: http://www.skyservicesinc.com/

Craig was a pleasure to work with, and I would hire him again. I was able to get a better deal by being flexible on the exact pickup and delivery until the last minute.

[NSboatman]

All great information folks - thanks a bunch. I've contacted all suggested folks and will see what they say.

best regards,

bg

[Rhapsody-NS27]

uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Cars or Moves

[peter loveridge]

Don Atkinson trucking, shelburne NS
www.donatkinsontrucking.com

does this all the time, any reasonable size vessel up to about 65ft

[gjordan]

I had a boat trucked east coast to west coast many years ago, and the thing the driver said was most inconvenient (costly for me ) was height. If your boat has a big pilot house or a very deep keel it will make the route more difficult for the shipper ie. more expensive for you. I recently had an airplane hanger (in pieces) moved here in California that was 12 foot wide. It required a lead car and a tail car. If it had been 12 foot 1 inch it would have required a Highway Patrol escort. You may want to check with reputable delivery skippers for a long boring motor up the ICW. Hurricane season isnt as much of a threat going on the inside and the ICW doesnt require nearly as much prep costs as getting ready for an offshore delivery. What is the beam on the boat and height from bottom of keel to highest point? Those will determine your cost.____Grant.

[Longjohn]

Do your homework and make sure to contact a few companies before agreeing to anything or handing over any cash. There's definitely a few options out there, but as others have said, there's a pretty wide range of reputation, service, prices, etc. Some are just downright shady (and apparently threaten federal agents).

I've only shipped a boat once, but I used this site to compare boat shippers cost per mile and it was helpful. If nothing else, it's a good starting place to find out what kind of prices to expect. You might also check out the FMCSA website. I know they have company records for auto transport, so I would figure they have them for boats too.

[Halifax Sailor]

since this is in Nova Scotia, try Clayton Reashore out of North Sydney. He travels Canada and has a great hydraulic trailer well set up. he moved mine and i see him all the time at our club picking up and delivering.

Reashore's Boat Transport & Hauling