Shipper or Skipper?

[SoundWave]

We are suffering from 2-foot-itis and are shopping for a new boat.

Really fond of one that's in another geographical region.
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Theoretical question: If the costs are roughly the same, would you bring the new baby home by shipping on a truck or by hiring a delivery skipper/crew?

I guess the underlying question is which has a higher risk of damage.

(for this exercise, let's use a 40' monohull, ocean capable, going from Long Island to NC, USA, so a little outside and a little ICW)

Which would you prefer, shipper or skipper?

[DeepCut]

For that trek, would you not want to bring her down yourself, "owner assisted " delivery?

[SoundWave]

I sure would like to owner assist and bring it down.


Lets pretend I'm unable to make the time...


Would you truck your new boat home, or hire delivery crew?

Really wondering if price and time aren't the deciding factors, which did you choose?

Any input is really appreciated.


You don't have to be sick
to get better...

[valhalla360]

Truck it. It's all done in a day an you can stop worrying and put less wear and tear on the boat.

[boatpoker]

Surely trucking that distance would be more expensive than on water.

I once made the mistake of following my 37' 14 ton trawler on a truck.
It is gut wrenching to watch a boat that size jump 4" into the air at 70mph.

[Cap Erict3]

Shipping would potentially cause damage, while sailing would reveal weaknesses.

If the boat isn't a trailer sailor, she got no business on the road. jmho

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

If the boat isn't a trailer sailor, she got no business on the road. jmho

Going from San Francisco to the PNW would surely disabuse you of that notion.

[Caribbeachbum]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Going from San Francisco to the PNW would surely disabuse you of that notion.

Well I'm told it's a perfectly fine sail, so long as you stop off in Pearl Harbor for a few beers on the way.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Caribbeachbum

Well I'm told it's a perfectly fine sail, so long as you stop off in Pearl Harbor for a few beers on the way.

I've heard that roundabout route was the only way to go.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

I've heard that roundabout route was the only way to go.

Nope, Ed Benson wrote a whole book about harbor hopping up the coast. A completely different route than coming down.

Only two months he suggested would be Aug & Sept

[robert sailor]

August and Sept. are good months to make that run, it's not fog free but almost. Winds in real tight can be light a lot and if you carry lots of fuel and have a strong diesel it can be done but not by me, lol. Lots of fish boats around and you really have to be patient and have lots of time as some of the ports have bars to cross. Trucking on this route might make sense but each to their own.

[valhalla360]

Trailering boats is common practice. Make sure it's a company dedicated to moving boats and that they have proper insurance.

If the boat is jumping 4" off the trailer while going 70mph, it wasn't properly secured and the driver is speeding. No different from a delivery crew who beats the tar out of your boat bashing thru bad weather to make a delivery date.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Shipping would potentially cause damage, while sailing would reveal weaknesses.

If the boat isn't a trailer sailor, she got no business on the road. jmho

Statement was not to dog the act of shipping a boat as much as it is a statement of sail when you can.

Kinda of like not spending quality time with a loved one.

Trailered many a boat and many a horse, but I'd lot rather be riding. Be it hills or waves.