Preparation of 370DB for land transportation

[drcrane]

We are moving our 1996 370 DB from Lake Cumberland Kentucky to Lake of the Ozarks, Mo and need to know if the entire bridge must be removed to transport? Any experience with this is very much apprecaited. Thank you.

 

[DavHJ]

I THINK the leagle limit is from the ground 13' 6" high boat and trailer anything above that would have to be removed.
Check with your hauler he will know.

 

[fwebster]

That depends entirely upon the hauler or transport company and the trailer they use for your boat. Sea Ray's contract hauler uses low-profile trailers and the boats are loaded bow forward with the stern and props very low on the trailer.

To avoid removing the bridge is almost a must. Just taking an arch off for transport is more workable depending upon your electronics. For the arch only, figure a day on each end for 2 guys who know what they are doing and have done it before, plus the availability of some type of lifting aparatus like a forklift or travel lift. Remember that everything must be carefully and fully labeled on the removal end because different people who really don't want to do it have to re-assemble your boat.

In short, I'd spend whatever it took and wait as long as necessary to avoid removing the entire bridge because every single wire on your control panel must be removed and labeled. If you ae lucky, figure a week on both ends for 2 people who will need to be technicians, not yard guys and at least a year hunting down the leaks after the boat arrives. It wouldn't be hard to get into some serious money for removal and re-assembly and as you trouble shoot and fix what is miswired.

Good luck with it...........

 

[boatmailster]

Arch needs to be removed. Inside arch you will find connectors on wires for lights but radar cable and gps antenna (with coax cable) most likely is a one piece and can not be cut. If boat is still too high - windshield will be removed and steering console may need to be unbolted and secured on bridge floor (no cables and wires need to be disconnected). Trying to remove anything more is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Jacob]

Whoever does the removal should use the same crew at each end of the move, or at the least sign an undertaking for functionality of all wiring, plumbing, controls, leak worthiness and general appearance.

 

[Alex F]

From my experiance with transportation, there are few options and each has different permits and cost. The most expensive, which allows extra hight than 13'6" is getting escort for $1.5-$2 per foot per mile. This was on the table when I was given wrong trailer. In your situation, I would consider this option to avoid taking the bridge off. I would start with getting the lowest possible trailer profile and most simple gear off (props, everything form the arch). In your case arch would have to come off, but before even thinking about the bridge I would take off rudders and then debating the windshild.

Good luck,
Alex.

 

[Girlfriend III]

Make sure you remove portable radios, binoculars, equipment, etc. Those haulers like to rummage through your boat while at the rest stops. I had my Carver transported from Cleveland to Maryland, and while the re-wiring of the bridge was not an issue( well marked from team in Cleveland) alot of things were missing? I guess I didn't hide them as well as I thought I did???

 

[Skeetobite]

I looked into this. You'll need to remove the arch at a minimum if you have a proper transport trailer available. I haven't measured the height of the dash (this will be the highest point after removing the arch). The arch is a simple "though bolt" application with all the requisit plates. The only issue is with the wiring in the arch. In mine, all of the cables for the radar, old loran system & anchor light were bundled with zip ties and screwed to the interior of the arch. What a nightmare to fish new wires!