Transporting Boat - Questions

[AlK]

I would like comments and advice especially from those of you that had a boat hauled a long distance.

Subject to a good inspection report by a third party and a satisfactory inspection by myself, I will be purchasing a G/W 208 WA and have it transported on it's trailer (approx 3000 miles).

I am wondering whether the boat should be covered with a travel top, have it shrink wrapped or leave it open. I am concerned that the shrink wrap or the cover may not survive and will flap around and cause some damage.

I will put new tires on the trailer and have the axels, bearings, brakes, lights checked to make sure they work. The trailer comes with a spare tire.

The transporting company will need to provide proof of insurance and that they are licensed to transport the boat and trailer.

Is there anything else that I am forgetting?

Thanks

 

[Sushihunter]

You might want to look at shipping by train, assumming that the boat is not too wide for a train.

A friend of mine looked at shipping his car from Vancouver to Calgary and from Vancouver to Boston. As I recall, it was about $600 to Calgary and only about $800 to get it all the way to Boston. He said that the main cost was in loading and unloading the vehicle, not the distance shipped.

I don't know if this would apply in shipping a boat on a trailer, but it would be worth looking into as it might be quite a bit cheaper than having a truck haul it that far.

Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[AlK]

I had thought about train,but I think the boat with the trailer is to wide.

 

[chromechaser]

I just went through finding out a lot about shipping a boat accross the country only to decide not to. I was not able to find anyone who would ship by train due to the size of the boat (smaller than yours). Having it towed or put on a flat deck were the only two options I was given. I was advised against tarping the boat, but was told that if it had a mooring/travel cover that it could be put on. I don't know how much the shrink wrap would protect the boat but was told that some shippers do this to protect the boats from the elements.

If you haven't done so already, list the shipment on uship.com. I got two pretty reasonable quotes before I bailed on the boat purchase. Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions.

 

[AlK]

chromechaser,

I have some pretty good quotes from uship transporters.

 

[Charlie]

I had mine towed from San Diego to Seattle (about 1500 miles) and had to deal with permits, but your GW Beam is only 8 Feet and 1 inch. Which means you shouldn't need any special permits, depending on which States you are crossing and you should check each State, just to make sure. I believe AL might have some restriction on vehicles over 7 feet, 6 inches, but not sure?

If you are going to go and inspect it yourself, why don't you just tow it back? Sounds like a nice trip to me!

I would not tarp, shrink wrap, or put any covers on! All that good dirt and dead bugs will wash off! Rock chips are a different story. But, make sure everything is closed, locked and secured REALLY good, including your antennas, radio covers, and speakers! Zip tie your VHF antenna, or you just might break the end off, depending on how it lays on the boat! Things will vibrate free. You are apt to loose your windshield wipers if the boat is towed at high speeds!

Chances are the boat will be stopped and inspected in various States in the U.S., due to the Zebra and Quagga Mussels outbreak, especially here in Washington. They have all ready advised they will be inspecting boats this year and are setting up inspection stations throughout the State.

I don't know where you are shipping from or to, but you should look into CSX, http://shipcsx.com/public/ec.shipcsxpublic/Main The Army ships tanks via trains, so I am quite sure they can handle a boat? That boat should actually fit inside, as a typical boxcar is 9 feet 6 inches wide? You can drive it on trailer and all, and just lash it down. If you contact CSX, they will walk you through the procedures, at least they used to. I have shipped by rail, but it has been years... and found it not the complicated.

I would be very interested in the condition of the boat, especially if it has been in the salt and has been in storage for awhile? Your survey probably won't pick it up, but if the pumps were not purged prior to storage you will probably end up having to replace them? At least I did! As in... all of them and most of the clamps, as well! All those nice SS clamps grumble and turn to "powder" after they set in salt!

Make sure you have an oil sample taken from the lower unit and pressure tested! Have them show you the resluts in writing! In fact, while they are doing that... have the engines checked for any recalls and any warranty work done. Again, if the engine has been in storage for awhile, you will probably have to change the water pump?

Oh... forgot! Watch out for the fine print from the shippers, especially when it comes to whose insurance is liable first. If something does happen, you don't want to be in the middle of two insurance companies fighting over who is going to pay the claim and if coverage extends into Canada? The amount of any "fuel surcharge" should be disclosed upfront!

 

[AlK]

Charlie,
Thank you for your thoughtful response - it is appreciated.

The boat is in SC and is to be transported to Blaine, where I woulf pick it up and take it across the border.

I had thought about towing the boat back, but give the distance both ways a total of over 6000 miles would take me at the minimun 10 plus days driving. By the time I add up all of the associated costs it is cheaper for me to have someone else tow it for me.

I will call shipcsx on monday to find out what they can do.

The boat is a fresh water boat and it is under cover when it is moored and is also covered when it is out of the water.

The boat is being lightly used and has not sat for extended periods of time.

 

[dss]

if you are from the island i would come via port angelas due to customs are in victoiria. any probleme your boat is on the island.i brought mine that way easy with all the paperwork.was down for 4 days and the customs officer gave me my$400.00 exemption on my trailer as i had not bought anything else.

 

[AlK]

I called "shipcsx" according to the recorded message they do not transport privately owned automobiles, boats and trailers.

 

[scotth]

I had a Grady brought from New Jersey a few years back. Campion Boats delivered it on a back haul to Galleon Marine in Vancouver-worked out great. I have all the contact numbers if you are interested.

 

[AlK]

scotth,

I send you an email.

AlK

 

[Peahead]

I just went through finding out a lot about shipping a boat accross the country only to decide not to. I was not able to find anyone who would ship by train due to the size of the boat (smaller than yours). Having it towed or put on a flat deck were the only two options I was given. I was advised against tarping the boat, but was told that if it had a mooring/travel cover that it could be put on. I don't know how much the shrink wrap would protect the boat but was told that some shippers do this to protect the boats from the elements.

If you haven't done so already, list the shipment on uship.com. I got two pretty reasonable quotes before I bailed on the boat purchase. Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions.

Bringing this thread alive after couple years - anyone bring a boat from the US East Coast lately? I have located a couple boats that look pretty good and now preparing to locate a good shipper should a boat purchase happen soon. Just curious what prices anyone has found recently? I have had a quote of $1.50 per mile to piggy back a 22' WA or, worse case senario, $1.75/mile shipped as solo with no other boat. That seems high price to me as 3,000 miles would be minimum $4,500 big ones and possibly $5200.00. A fellow I know shipped a 20' Grady from west Virginia to Everett Washington for $2600.00 with the same company so I am unsure as to why the price quote is so much higher ? Is it cheaper in summer maybe ?

 

[Derby]

PM Searun ..he has brought a couple boats up from down there ...he should be able to point you in the right direction...

 

[Sea Morgan]

I brought a boat from Fort Lauderdale to Blaine last fall, used a guy who was excellent, he has a 53' trailer to load your boat and trailer onto, no wear and tear. Dreamtime Transportation-Phone 615 479 2048 Cost me 4k but he had another boat on.

 

[BigHog]

Anyone else have any transportation companies that they can recommend? I have a boat coming from NC to Vancouver with no trailer. Would be nice to have a few names and numbers.

 

[searun]

I would highly recommend reading Charlie's thread on this topic, he is bang on. I have shipped 2 boats including my last one which was an oversize G/W 265. I used Uship to get quotes. Did not go with cheapest, rather was looking for best feedback and one who had proper insurance policy. Get a copy of their policy and call their broker to make sure the policy is good and premiums are paid up. You will not be able to buy insurance for a vessel in the US if you are not a resident of the US. Plan on meeting the shipper at the border and dropping the unit at the border so you can go and get canadian insurance. I would not shrink wrap your boat for all the reasons Charlie suggests, plus the boat will need to be inspected as it crosses the country to ensure there are no critters clinging on....so boat must be able to be fully inspected.

That said, the whole buying experience in the US was good, and I would do it a third time if my wife wasn't looking.

 

[BigHog]

Thanks for the reply Searun. Can you supply the company name and contact info on who you used. I have shipped a few boats over the years but all on trailer and I'm finding it a bit of a challenge to get quotes within my budget for no trailer. I made the mistake the first boat I moved from Norfolk by having it shrink wrapped. The wrap came off part way and damaged the hull. The insurance is good idea as well. Now hoping for the dollar to bounce back a bit!!!

 

[dance a jig]

I have shipped two boats over the years cross country on the back of a flatbed truck, and used Smokey Point Distributors both times. SPD is out of Arlington Washington and I would calll Dan W. at (360) 435-5737. I would be very weary of a U-Ship transport outfit, although there are good ones. With flatbed transporters you need to realize your boat is a very light load, and a trucker can offer you a good deal if he mates up your light load with a very heavy load that he charges a premium for. Also, timing is everything, so you tell the transporter you have this load that is light, and you can wait a month for a low price in order for him to find a heavy load to travel with. When you talk to shippers, I would suggest you tell them your budget is no more thatn $3000 and can they do it if you are flexible on your time. good luck. DAJ

 

[BigHog]

Really looking for a carrier that has a custom boat trailer with proper racks. A flat bed is not ideal for transporting boats. Thanks for the info and lead with SPD.

 

[fishin_magician]

What did you end up purchasing Big Hog?