Boat transportation

B

Boston Jim

New Member
Jul 30, 2012
48
Boston
Boat Info
2008 48 Sundancer
Engines
Twin Cummins QSC 540
We need to transport our 48DA from Boston to Florida this fall. I was making arrangements for a captain to take the boat down in late Sept. or early October and called our insurance company to arrange for the change in coverage. I was surprised to hear that there would be a huge premium and increase in deductible if the boat was transported before November 1 b/c of hurricane season. That focused on land-based transportation in very late Oct/early Nov. I've received one quote from a company that does a lot of deliveries for Sea Ray dealers that made me choke a bit (although its perhaps not that different from the cost of the water-based option, including fuel and pre-trip service). Does anyone have any suggestions or advice for arranging land-based shipping of a boat of this size and distance - what companies do this and are there any rules of thumb regarding expected costs?
 
I used www.ushipit.com you put all the info in and they bid on it. I started out shipping from Key Largo to my marina here in Maryland. Got several quotes and then changed the pick up to Miami to Annapolis. Cost $3500 for a 40ft.
 
From what I understand, your biggest cost is going thru NY metro area, most truckers do not want to do it. Might look at bringing it to NJ and truck from there. If you have the time, by water is very enjoyable.
 
+1 on What Bahamabreisus said. My cost went from $7K/$8K to $3500 once I got the boat out of the Keys and got it on MSR (Major Supply Routes)
 
Thanks all for the quick replies. Great advice on bringing it to NJ, that wouldn't be a problem and sounds like it could reduce the cost significantly. I'd like to do it by water, but unfortunately don't have the time this year. Hope to do it myself at some point in the future.
 
I understand that some dis-assembly and re-assembly of the hard top and prop is required to ship by land. The captain who I initially spoke to about taking the boat down via water is encouraging me to avoid this process and instead use him to take the boat down. It seems to me like the wear-and-tear and hours on the engines from taking it down via water is at least as much of an issue as the dis-assebly, but I'm not expert enough to know. Any perspectives on that would be appreciated. Did they have to do any dis-assembly for any off you that shipped your boats over land?
 
My carrier said I had to take down the radar, TV antenna and something else. He also said to cover the boat from the windshield back to the transom.
My only problem I had and it wasn't with the carrier but with the marina in Miami. they were supposed to undo the radar/TV etc and drop it down and tape it up. Instead they cut the cables rendering the items useless.
 
We shipped our boat out of New Jersey as it was significantly cheaper then shipping from New York. We used Lockwood Boat Works in South Amboy NJ to haul, prep and shrink wrap. The boat was transported to Ft Laughterdale by Brink Truck Lines and we had a great exprerince with this carrier, the land transport cost was $13k and we're a 45 LOA.
 
Searaybio270 said:
they were supposed to undo the radar/TV etc and drop it down and tape it up. Instead they cut the cables rendering the items useless.
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Them's fightin words. I would crawl so far up their butt I'd come out their mouth.
 
Jim- the wear and tear should be no issue on your diesels. Sea Ray brings many a boat up from Merritt via water. How much did the captain want to make the trip? The insurance thing is the same pretty much, My attorney is currently holding up finishing his Great Loop trip right now (He's mooring at Kentucky Lake) as his insurance also requires not being too far south before Nov 1. df
 
DF470DA said:
Jim- the wear and tear should be no issue on your diesels. Sea Ray brings many a boat up from Merritt via water. How much did the captain want to make the trip? The insurance thing is the same pretty much, My attorney is currently holding up finishing his Great Loop trip right now (He's mooring at Kentucky Lake) as his insurance also requires not being too far south before Nov 1. df
Click to expand...

Thanks. One idea the captain suggested is for him to bring it down to Hilton Head or Charleston in early Oct and leave it there, and then either he'd go down a month or so later to finish the trip, or I could do the second half myself. I'm thinking hard about that option.
 
A while back on here a guy had his 48 da transported from an inland lake to FLA for a bahamas trip - He had to remove the electronics and the "arch" on top of the hardtop as well as the props to get it to sit low enough - I believe he also had the boat shrinkwrapped...
 
Why are you not hiring a captain to make the trip timed to coincide with you insurance limits of navigation?
 
I've moved my Sundancers several times and the best haul that I ever had was using Jim Casson from C&J Transport 772-201-3444
Jim was a complete professional, had top quality equipment and called several times per day with status updates.
 
I believe insurance does not want you south of Bruswick Ga area before Nov 1. There are many Captains out there, find another, that will do what you want
 
Boston Jim said:
Captain doesn't want to depart Boston for Florida in November
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Jim,

As far as I know the June 1st to Nov 1st is the standard policy for non-FL residents. As bahamabreisus said, Bruswick Ga is your cut off point prior Nov 1st. You can arrange for the captain start making the trip last week of Oct and by the time he gets past Bruswick Ga it'll be after Nov 1st. So, you'll be all compliant. Staying for couple of weeks in SC is always an option. But, if your captain is so strict I'd look for someone who's more flexible.

IMO, any 40-45'er or larger diesel is meant to travel by water.

Good luck.
 
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