Shippng a yacht

[MicHughV]

No question, we are all intrigued by your ambitions. Throw enuff money at something you will be able to accomplish it.

When I sold my first sailboat, the new owners had it trucked across the State of Florida. The folks in this business generally know what they are doing, so some comfort in that. I have photo's and video of the entire operation of when my boat was moved and it was pretty much a seamless operation.

Your boat is much bigger off course. $15K seems to be a real bargain to me, especially considering the distance it will be moved.

When I hear of a 53' powerboat being hauled across the country, I will know that it is you.

[Flipz1]

I had no idea this would get so much interest. But if all works as planned, I'll post about it so others can follow if they have similar needs.

[Montanan]

Florida transportation laws.

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
View Entire Chapter
316.515 Maximum width, height, length.—
(1) WIDTH LIMITATION.—The total outside width of any vehicle or the load thereon may not exceed 102 inches, exclusive of safety devices determined by the department to be necessary for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles. The use of public roads that do not have at least one through lane of 12 feet or more in width in each direction, and the use of public roads deemed unsafe for wider vehicles on the basis of safety and engineering analyses, by vehicles exceeding 96 inches in width may be restricted by the Department of Transportation or by local officials for streets and roads under their respective jurisdictions. The total outside width of a noncommercial travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, or private motor coach as defined in s. 320.01 may be more than 102 inches if:
(a) The excess width is attributable to appurtenances that do not extend beyond the exterior rearview mirrors installed on the motor home by the manufacturer or the exterior rearview mirrors of the tow vehicle; and
(b) The exterior rearview mirrors only extend the distance necessary to provide the appropriate field of view for the vehicle before the appurtenances are attached.
(2) HEIGHT LIMITATION.—No vehicle may exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches, inclusive of load carried thereon. However, an automobile transporter may measure a height not to exceed 14 feet, inclusive of the load carried thereon.
(3) LENGTH LIMITATION.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, length limitations apply solely to a semitrailer or trailer, and not to a truck tractor or to the overall length of a combination of vehicles. No combination of commercial motor vehicles coupled together and operating on the public roads may consist of more than one truck tractor and two trailing units. Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this section, a combination of vehicles not qualifying as commercial motor vehicles may consist of no more than two units coupled together; such nonqualifying combination of vehicles may not exceed a total length of 65 feet, inclusive of the load carried thereon, but exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices approved by the department for use on vehicles using public roads. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a truck tractor-semitrailer combination engaged in the transportation of automobiles or boats may transport motor vehicles or boats on part of the power unit; and, except as may otherwise be mandated under federal law, an automobile or boat transporter semitrailer may not exceed 50 feet in length, exclusive of the load; however, the load may extend up to an additional 6 feet beyond the rear of the trailer. The 50-feet length limitation does not apply to non-stinger-steered automobile or boat transporters that are 65 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon, to stinger-steered boat transporters that are 75 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon, or to stinger-steered automobile transporters that are 80 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon. For purposes of this subsection, a “stinger-steered automobile or boat transporter” is an automobile or boat transporter configured as a semitrailer combination wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit. Automobile transporters operating under this subsection may backhaul cargo or general freight if the weight of such cargo or freight does not exceed the limits imposed under s. 316.535.


Rule Chapter: 14-26
Chapter Title: SAFETY REGULATIONS AND PERMIT FEES FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OVERDIMENSIONAL VEHICLES

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/Chap...?Chapter=14-26

[Jim Cate]

As an inexperienced but interested spectator, my first reaction to the 15k$ price invokes the "if it sounds too good to be true it likely is" cliche!

Do be sure of the insurance coverage...

Jim

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Florida transportation laws.

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
View Entire Chapter
316.515 Maximum width, height, length.—
(1) WIDTH LIMITATION.—The total outside width of any vehicle or the load thereon may not exceed 102 inches, exclusive of safety devices determined by the department to be necessary for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles. The use of public roads that do not have at least one through lane of 12 feet or more in width in each direction, and the use of public roads deemed unsafe for wider vehicles on the basis of safety and engineering analyses, by vehicles exceeding 96 inches in width may be restricted by the Department of Transportation or by local officials for streets and roads under their respective jurisdictions. The total outside width of a noncommercial travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, or private motor coach as defined in s. 320.01 may be more than 102 inches if:
(a) The excess width is attributable to appurtenances that do not extend beyond the exterior rearview mirrors installed on the motor home by the manufacturer or the exterior rearview mirrors of the tow vehicle; and
(b) The exterior rearview mirrors only extend the distance necessary to provide the appropriate field of view for the vehicle before the appurtenances are attached.
(2) HEIGHT LIMITATION.—No vehicle may exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches, inclusive of load carried thereon. However, an automobile transporter may measure a height not to exceed 14 feet, inclusive of the load carried thereon.
(3) LENGTH LIMITATION.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, length limitations apply solely to a semitrailer or trailer, and not to a truck tractor or to the overall length of a combination of vehicles. No combination of commercial motor vehicles coupled together and operating on the public roads may consist of more than one truck tractor and two trailing units. Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this section, a combination of vehicles not qualifying as commercial motor vehicles may consist of no more than two units coupled together; such nonqualifying combination of vehicles may not exceed a total length of 65 feet, inclusive of the load carried thereon, but exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices approved by the department for use on vehicles using public roads. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a truck tractor-semitrailer combination engaged in the transportation of automobiles or boats may transport motor vehicles or boats on part of the power unit; and, except as may otherwise be mandated under federal law, an automobile or boat transporter semitrailer may not exceed 50 feet in length, exclusive of the load; however, the load may extend up to an additional 6 feet beyond the rear of the trailer. The 50-feet length limitation does not apply to non-stinger-steered automobile or boat transporters that are 65 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon, to stinger-steered boat transporters that are 75 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon, or to stinger-steered automobile transporters that are 80 feet or less in overall length, exclusive of the load carried thereon. For purposes of this subsection, a “stinger-steered automobile or boat transporter” is an automobile or boat transporter configured as a semitrailer combination wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit. Automobile transporters operating under this subsection may backhaul cargo or general freight if the weight of such cargo or freight does not exceed the limits imposed under s. 316.535.


Rule Chapter: 14-26
Chapter Title: SAFETY REGULATIONS AND PERMIT FEES FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OVERDIMENSIONAL VEHICLES

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/Chap...?Chapter=14-26

Florida has special permitting for loads up to 16-feet wide, 18-feet high, and 140,000 lbs (HERE). A 53-foot power cat is 25-feet wide. With surgery to remove hard top and venturi, it might fit under the 18-foot height restriction but I doubt it. It's under 50k lbs so no issues with weight.

Running a load this size 150 miles up a well-traveled two-lane road would attract a lot of scrutiny in the permitting process. Pilot cars, line-lifting, traffic controls, time-of-day restrictions, and who knows what else. My guess is either the OP or the transport company he contacted misunderstood the other person. Or something is missing (insurance?).

The OP apparently has a firm quote in Key West to do the engine install for $55k. He thinks he might get it for $30k in North Carolina - but he has to burn $15k to do so.

Brings to mind another saying - a bird in the hand/two in the bush.

[Flipz1]

It is paid 50% at pickup and 50% at delivery. I placed a deposit with insurance on uShip that is fully refundable if cancelled. Apparently, the only thing I can lose is time.

[Flipz1]

I'll post whatever changes to transport. My boat cannot be shipped by truck because of power lines crossing the road. I just sent them some images. It is going to be interesting to see what they respond with.

Anyway, there is a Sea Tow base at this marina. Betting they are going to get some business.

[Chotu]

thanks for following up.

that’s what I was thinking. regardless of any regulations, our boats occupy 3 highway lanes. That means they can’t be moved by road. You can’t be guaranteed a 3 lane road the entire route. Not only that, you can’t take up the whole road.

uship is like a bunch of uber driver types with a pickup truck basically. They didn’t understand the problem.

there is also the issue of the length. I moved my 64 foot Mast by putting a couple wheels on it and attaching it to the back of my pick up truck. I did that in Florida. 200 miles. I got the permits and everything. It was very, very difficult to take the turns at the intersection. I had to swing wide and take up multiple lanes turning from the far right lane into the left lane as I went around the corner. Now add a 25 foot width onto that same problem and you are in some trouble. It just dimensionally doesn’t fit.

I still think it would be easiest to contact someone who moves barges. Because that is exactly what you have right now until you have some engines in it. it’s the same size as a small barge.

try these type of companies. Barge movers and transporters:

https://www.google.com/search?q=mari...e-gws-wiz-serp


https://www.google.com/search?q=mari...e-gws-wiz-serp

stay away from anything surrounding yachting. You don’t want to be using that type of service. You want commercial service. The yachting stuff will be over priced

[mvweebles]

Leopard is very much in business of course, and the PC53 remains a popular model. Their US base of operations is Ft Lauderdale - maybe ring them up and see if they have any suggestions? They move a lot of boats and may have some decent contacts for transport and perhaps engine repairs. Just seems that rather than spending a LOT of money on transport, might make more sense to have the engines repaired in-situ and moving it under it's own power. Quality engine mechanics are expensive anywhere - are they really that much less expensive in NC to offset the risk/expense of moving the boat?

Just curious, was this yacht sold by the insurance company? Was it totaled? Seems like a lot of damage for just running aground.

[MicHughV]

I get back to my original thought...if you have $6-700K to burn, you certainly have many other options besides going this route.

I have never thought of nor known a boat to be a good " investment". Can happen off course, but it's rare.

Well, you've been given tons of advice here, so it's your show now.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Chotu

thanks for following up.

Hey you’re back, welcome back!

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Hey you’re back, welcome back!

thank you! good to see ya! i tried the other place but i couldn’t get used to having to avoid all the political posts manually

[Flipz1]

I bought her from the original owner and have no idea what insurance paid. I have copies of the owners clearing the mortgage and fees to the marina (mostly for salvage, I think).

And I want to move her to NC so I can spend weekends doing the busy work myself. There, I can systematically go through restoring battery power, lights, water, galley, bedding, venetian blinds, working toilets, outlets, Nav instruments, etc. without paying boatyard fees for basic labor. Plus, I'm in favor of paying local guys (I have met a fair few of them when I owned a sailboat in New Bern) for custom carpets, Isinglass, upholstery, missing wall panels, ....

I'll be in Lauderdale for the boat show at the end of October. Leopard will be my first stop.

[Flipz1]

I didn't buy this boat as an "investment", though, if I can restore her for $600-700k, then I'll own a boat in great shape worth a lot more than that amount.

And, for the record, I DO NOT have money to burn. I'm working for 2 more years to help pay for most of this. This project is well beyond anything I planned for.

[mvweebles]

I did a 2-year refit of my Willard 36 in Ensenada MX (80-miles south of San Diego) - everything was done. Paint, some layout modifications, full re-wire including new panel, everything. I've owned her for 25-years and have a pretty strong background in boats and systems. It still got away from me. I was pretty candid in my story on TrawlerForum, sister site to CF, including having an incredibly disappointing experience with one of the few marine firms in Ensenada (never, ever use Niza Marine------but I digress).

It's humblng and embarrassing to candidly retell stories that end much differently than planned but my hopes are its helpful to others to go into it eyes-wide-open. While there are some things I would do differently, I ended up with a good result albeit at 2x-3x what I had budgeted for.

I hope your story ends as well as mine did but without the expensive and frustrating bumps along the way. I for one would enjoy following along if you're inclined to share.