Boat shipping/trucking services for lower 48

[hyperfine]

Hi folks, I've done some preliminary searching but there is definitely a lot of noise in the results, I'm looking to find some reputable boat moving companies that could truck a Jeanneau 53 across the US. I guess another option would be to put it on a cargo ship that goes through the canal, so if anyone has recommendations for that too, they would be appreciated and considered. I am assuming that both of these options are preferable in terms of time and money to hiring a delivery captain, since the trip would be exceedingly long. I have never had to move a boat before where I couldn't be either at the helm, or towing it on a trailer, so this is all new territory. Thanks

[Celestialsailor]

Given the beam of 15'8"s, Cross country could be the biggest bill, considering the escort car(s) and the limited times the transport could move. I would get quotes from a delivery skipper. I would imagine a crew of 5 for that trip.

[nightowle]

If you're wanting a referral that's reputable, Associated Boat Transport out of Marysville, WA is the go-to transporter for boat brokers and builders in the Pac NW. Of course, they operate transport nationwide: https://www.associatedboat.com/

[hyperfine]

Thanks nightowle, I will have a look at Associated Boat Transport. I'm in the PNW, and would be bringing the boat over here from the east coast, so this could be helpful.

I also found http://www.heavyhaulers.com, and https://boattransportpros.com, I will do some investigating and eventually post what I find, because I'm sure there are others who are interested in the cost involved for such a move.

I must still disagree that a delivery captain could be cheaper: it's a 6,000nm trip that involves transiting the Panama Canal. It would be months long. Delivery captains are what, 300-500/day? Crew probably 100/day. With a crew of five, that would easily be 6 figures. Even with a skeleton crew of 2 it would be prohibitively expensive.

I still need to investigate putting it on a cargo ship. That may well be the best option in this case, it's just not easy finding public facing services.

[shimari]

Having just shipped a boat across the Atlantic, I'd guess that the cost is going to be north of $50k. In addition to the cost of shipping, you're going to be frustrated beyond belief. I'll write-up a post next week, but our boat was supposed to be direct from the UK and she ended up taking a tour of the North Sea and another US east coast port. We were delayed one month in loading, and two weeks in unloading.

In hind sight, I should have hired crew and sailed her home.