Cross-country boat transport, recommendations?

[davidr]

New job beckons, so we are moving in several weeks from Northern Virginia to Seattle, WA. I don't want to brutalize the family sedan by hauling the boat (mid-90's SN) that far and through mountain passes.

However, the trailer is several inches too wide to fit inside the moving van.

Any recommendations for shippers that specialize or have experience with boat transport?

In theory I see several potential options,
1) boat & trailer fully enclosed
2) boat & trailer on automotive-style open carrier
3) boat shrink-wrapped (like new boats) on an open carrier sans trailer (we would tow the boat trailer cross-country behind the family car)
4) a truck tows the boat on its trailer

I'd much prefer enclosure or shrink wrap of course.

Thanks!
-Dave

[jedgell]

RE: Cross-country boat transport, recommendations?

I'm also moving this month, from Houston to Montana, about 2,000 miles. I got a quote from the below company that was $2,250 to ship the boat and trailer on another carrier. You'd still have to get the boat shrink-wrapped, which I found to be about $350. That's out of my budget, so I bought a nice Rankin cover and am going to tow it behind the U-haul. A little nervous about towing it that far, but I just got the bearings replaced so hopefully everything will work.

Kenny
PK Boat Transport
www.boathaul.com
boathaul@aol.com
Phone: 423-351-1443
Fax: 423-351-1424

[davidr]

Hey Kenny,

Thanks for the information.

I Googled "boat transport" and then emailed specs, and the one quote I've gotten back so far is for $4,500 which seems pricey.

I may try and tow the boat myself, tow it open and then cover it when stopping for the nights.

Replacing the wheel bearings sounds wise, I think I'll do the same.

Good luck with your move!

-Dave

[chathamsolutions]

I just got a quote for $5,400 Boston to SF Bay area. It was for a 21' length, 98" beam. Transport of boat and trailer.

I've spoken to a long haul trucker (owner/operator of his own rig), on a completely different topic. He said he gets apx. $5K for a round trip coast to coast.

I'd be careful about counting on the Uhaul option. They are warry about towing. If your boat is 'too big' they won't allow it. And if you circumvent them even after they say it's too heavy (IE towing a Dodge Durango on a Uhaul tandem axle trailer is 'too heavy a vehicle' to be towed behind any Uhaul truck. You can find this info out on their web site.) and then you get in an accident - you're screwed. They won't cover you, saying you towed something that was too heavy for their trucks. And that will screw with your own insurance as well. Maybe look at Penske or Ryder???

If you're having it towed on it's own trailer, you'd be crazy not to have it shrink wrapped. 4500 miles cross country, country roads... You'll have gelcoat issues that will cost more than $350 to fix IMO.

Good luck.

[AbunDiga909]

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ewtopic&t=4199

[jedgell]

The problem with shrink-wrap is that it only goes to the rub rail. The rest of the hull below the rub rail is exposed, so there's still potential for rock damage. At least that's how they shrink-wrap locally. I checked out the Uhaul trucks and the axles are at least 8 ft from the back of the truck and there are big mud flaps, so rocks shouldn't get thrown onto the boat too badly.

[CEASTWEB]

The best way to shrink wrap it is to have the person doing it to tape it underneath the sides. We do it this way for all of our boat shows during the winter because you will not get any chafing from ropes nor will the boat get dirty... Email me if you would like me to send directions..

[ssaxet]

I towed mine out from pit.... drive is not to bad, only really slow steep pass is in id.... i towed behind my camper and covered it...
did more damage than just leaving it uncovered... got light rub marks that took a lot of work to buff out... no rock chips.. just rub...
if you do tow just make sure to have the hubs serviced before the tirp for peace of mind... lot cheeper than road side repairs also... the water is cool out here so bring the wetsuit and leave some room for a boat heater.... but you cant beat the view...... I am really glad to be back in the PNW....

[DanielC]

One more thing about cross country transport. Winterize the boat! Even if you plan on using the boat when you get out west, It could freeze in a mountian pass somewhere, even in Summer.

[todda]

Hey Dave, sorry no history with transporting my SN that long of a trip, but just wanted you to know that when you get into Seattle, let me know, and I can hook you up with some of the local areas to hit if you are a skier. I am north of Seattle about 30 miles, and there are a bunch of great areas, some great private lakes, and also some places in Eastern Washington, about 3hrs away too.

Todd

[mattoz]

I have used quite a bit of road transport to move boats around Australia. Here are my experiences on the matter.

Given the driving safety risk, running costs, police tickets and wear & tear on your own vehicle, truck haulage is often the best option for long distance boat transport.

Car carriers have width limitations and as a result a Nautique trailer generally won’t fit.

Using the flatbed of a truck is a simple approach used by many people. This is usually a cheap option. Just make sure the truck that is being used is not a piece of rubbish. The soot and tar that can come from an older engine can coat your boat in a hard to clean black coating.

Transporting a boat in the open air with a boat cover on it can lead to expensive damage. The wind can find its way into the many nooks and crannies of your cover and work it loose. Once this happens, flapping of straps or the cover will eat through vinyl and scuff your gel coat. In many cases you are better off leaving the boat open and be prepared to put in a few hours of cleaning after the trip.

Many truckers in Australia won't transport 2nd hand boats that are plastic wrapped. It is illegal to do so in the state I live. I am not sure what your laws are in the US? The issue is remaining tank fuel can emit vapours that may accumulate inside the sealed section of the boat- thus increasing the risk of a fire. Hot climates can furhter increase this fire risk.

The best option I have used is a tautliner (trailer with frame, roof and has vinyl sheet sides) - the width of your trailer should fit OK. Minimal wind and dust can breach the enclosure and for a little more expense, your boat should arrive clean.

The fact that our boats are relatively large in size, it can limit the amount of space for other paying customers. Due to the boats being relatively lite, say 2t and the carrying capacity of semi trailer being 18 to 24t, with some negotiation there is a way to get your costs down. If anyone has seen a truck load of metal such as copper, plenty of space remains on the trailer because it does not take too much material to reach the transport weight limits. Negotiating the transport of your boat with another heavy load can often cut your typical cost in half.

If using a tautliner, it is possible to transport a boat stacked on top of a high strength packaging. You would be surprised at how much weight a bed of 44 gallon drums can hold? To improve the load safety factor, use car tyres to support the frame of the tralier, thus increasing the distrubution of weight. This will reduce wasted space that can be lost between the top of the boat and the roof of the enclosure, thus reducing your overall cost.

I hope this gives you some ideas, good luck with it!

[robertsmcfarland]

Towing is no problem, Went from Va. to lake Powell this summer and back.Used cover that came with boat (2005 210). I used blue paint tape under anything that might touch boat like straps even put tape on any thing on the tower that might collect bugs . No rub marks or dings even went through rain storm. Takes about three min. to take all the tape off. Little longer to put on . At each gas stop I would make sure tape was still alined with straps or anything else that might cause a rub.

[Waterdog]

I've had good luck with Bill Mann transport 760-408-1971. He's been towing boats long haul for a long time 150,000 miles a year at 55 MPH dead on the needle. JB Transport hauls for Centurion out of Merced CA 925-518-5605 and Quality Drive Away California (Lost their number) and B&E Trucking Modesto also hauls for Centurion 209-649-6797. Wrap your trailer in plastic food wrap to protect against sand blasting.

[NCH2oSki]

I dont know the number, but if your interested I'll look for it Monday. Orr Trucking, they haul all the new boats from TN (MC, BU ect). THey have a few F-350's that haul several boats on trailers on top of each other, plus one being towed. Its pretty cool looking, and it must work well, because they haul a lot of boats with it, and several semi trucks.

[skiinxs]

I think your trailer will get a lot of abuse if you try to tow it that far without the boat. (springs won't do much flexing with no weight and it will bounce like crazy)
Dave