Shipping a boat

[chris5635]

Hi all,


I don't post much(i do read fairly regularly) but had an interesting request at work today about shipping a boat that got me thinking. I work as a logistic broker but have never ran into the situation of shipping a boat or even really considered what was involved with the shipping process. The boat in question is a 32' cruiser from Florida to the midwest. I would assumed most are shipped on lowboys or step decks(at least from what I have seen).

My real question has to do with what equipment is required for stabilization. I know many people on here have shipped boats in the past and I was curious if anyone could shed some light on the process that is involved. The boat is currently located in a marina with a lift so loading it wont be a problem. Any help or thoughts are appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Brian Nagel]

chris 5635 ... Last August, we shipped our 340 Sea Ray from Stuart Florida to Great Falls Montana, Great Falls to Yellowknife NWT. Because of the distance and logistics I contracted a US boat hauler who trailer the boat to Great Falls and Canadian Hauler that hauled (on a flat bed) the boat from Great Falls to Yellowknife. The trip was approximately 4,000 miles.

The only issues we had was with the width of the boat and trailer. Our boat has a 12-foot beam so some States required travel on specific highways at specific times. I also had my Insurance Broker connect with the boat haulers to ensure that they had proper insurance.

There are a number of boat haulers available. Ask a few of them for a quote. I would not try shipping a 32-foot boat accross State lines without professional assistance.

Hope this helps.

Brian

 

[Gofirstclass]

Chris, I shipped my 550 Sedan Bridge from the Detroit area to Portland, OR last summer. Height was more a problem than width so the flybridge had to be removed. Most states have height requirements that are around 14' and are nearly impossible to get around. Not all overpasses have exit and on ramps to use to avoid bridges and overpasses. I don't know what kind of boat you are considering shipping but I'd be evaluating the cost of overheight permits for the trip as part of your bid.

The overwidth permits are easy to get and can be mitigated by pilot cars when necessary.

Be very careful about the trucker you hire. Some talk a good load but aren't worth a damn when it comes to the haul. I found one of those who the selling broker recommended but when I checked him out online by googling his trucking company name I found all kinds of negative comments.

 

[Summer Fun II]

I would not try shipping a 32-foot boat across State lines without professional assistance.

Ping AKBASSKING. He made it with no problems without the permits. :thumbsup:

 

[jitts3]

I am a trucker. Own my own truck and contracted to one company. I pull a stepdeck and do oversized and overweight regularly. First of all I have seen boats hauled on rehular stepdecks but they must be placed on a woden or metal rack that works the same as a bunk style boat trailer.

Secondly, on a trailer like mine. A 50' 26" drop stepdeck I am 3 feet off the ground. Over 14' height gets hard and expencive. I have no idea how tall your boat is.

Third. There are truicking company's that only move boats. Jewel yacht service to name one.

Go dirrectly to the trucking company. DO NOT DEAL WITH A FREIGHT BROAKER. They will promise you the world and job it out to the lowest bidder. You should pay the name on the trucks door, not a 3rd party. You may pay more, but a damaged boat sucks.

Take it from a trucker.:thumbsup:

 

[Summer Fun II]

I am 3 feet off the ground.

:wow: . :wow: . :wow:

The lowboy I used for hauling boats & other big machinery was only 6 inches off the ground. :smt001

Like this one.

 

[Skater2427]

Shipping boats can get pretty involved depending on the size of the boat, but with the proper equipment (trailer) almost anything can be done, depending on what someone wants to spend. As stated eariler here width is really not the problem, as so much the height. We move strictly boats and a good deal of what we move are Sea Ray's (from the factory) 90% of the boats manufacture's build with shipping in mind, meaning the boats can be broken down to an extent (fly bridges, windshields, arch's) but even with these things taken down the boats still load out overheight. For example we are moving a 2011 52 DB as we speak, the fly bridge is off which requires its own truck and is 12' wide by itself, the boat is on another truck its 15'3 wide and still loads out just under 15' high. When ever height is involved the price does increase because of additional permits, route survey's, pilot cars, and sometimes (depending where) police escorts.

Just keep in mind the old saying "you get what you pay for" if you call and get quotes that are dramatically different take a look further into the cheaper quotes, make sure they have the proper insurance, authority, and the right trailers. For us to carry the proper insurance, permits, trailers, ect there is no way someone else is able to do the same job for half of what we can. I'm sure you want your boat to arrive to its new destination in the same condition it was in when it left, I know if it were my boat I would. :thumbsup:

 

[Summer Fun II]

Skater2427, Thats a sweet looking rig you have . :thumbsup:

Why are your stacks so low ?? and she looks like she is squatting pretty bad. :wow:

 

[Skater2427]

Stacks are at top of cab which is just under 13'6". As for the squatting it must have been the angle of the picture or the ground those big trucks we have dont squat that much with the air ride suspension :smt001


The little trucks are a different story :wow:

 

[Summer Fun II]

That little truck & boat would have me packing extra underwear . :wow: . :wow:. :grin:

 

[chris5635]

I am a trucker. Own my own truck and contracted to one company. I pull a stepdeck and do oversized and overweight regularly. First of all I have seen boats hauled on rehular stepdecks but they must be placed on a woden or metal rack that works the same as a bunk style boat trailer.

Secondly, on a trailer like mine. A 50' 26" drop stepdeck I am 3 feet off the ground. Over 14' height gets hard and expencive. I have no idea how tall your boat is.

Third. There are truicking company's that only move boats. Jewel yacht service to name one.

Go dirrectly to the trucking company. DO NOT DEAL WITH A FREIGHT BROAKER. They will promise you the world and job it out to the lowest bidder. You should pay the name on the trucks door, not a 3rd party. You may pay more, but a damaged boat sucks.

Take it from a trucker.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the info on the metal/wood bunk. That is more what I was looking for. This is not my boat I am inquiring about.

Unfortunately, I AM A FREIGHT BROKER. I do work for one of the BIG 4. I wont say which one. I will however say that (and when I say WE I cant speak for everyone) we (I) have a very select few carriers that I work with on a daily basis and DO NOT strictly go to the lowest bidder. Again, not saying its not an idsutry standard but as far as the business I do...I do however have companies and O/O's that check in on a daily basis to see what I have going out. Competitive rates and constant attention to both customer and driver relations play into it. Thanks for the info though!!

 

[Ka1oxd]

In 2009 I shipped my 340 from NY to CT. It cost me $1200, but this guy had a hydrolic trailer to load the boat. This is all that this guy does. It came on a 40 foot trailer and he did have to pick his time and route to ensure that he could deliver it.

 

[chris5635]

Shipping boats can get pretty involved depending on the size of the boat, but with the proper equipment (trailer) almost anything can be done, depending on what someone wants to spend. As stated eariler here width is really not the problem, as so much the height. We move strictly boats and a good deal of what we move are Sea Ray's (from the factory) 90% of the boats manufacture's build with shipping in mind, meaning the boats can be broken down to an extent (fly bridges, windshields, arch's) but even with these things taken down the boats still load out overheight. For example we are moving a 2011 52 DB as we speak, the fly bridge is off which requires its own truck and is 12' wide by itself, the boat is on another truck its 15'3 wide and still loads out just under 15' high. When ever height is involved the price does increase because of additional permits, route survey's, pilot cars, and sometimes (depending where) police escorts.

Just keep in mind the old saying "you get what you pay for" if you call and get quotes that are dramatically different take a look further into the cheaper quotes, make sure they have the proper insurance, authority, and the right trailers. For us to carry the proper insurance, permits, trailers, ect there is no way someone else is able to do the same job for half of what we can. I'm sure you want your boat to arrive to its new destination in the same condition it was in when it left, I know if it were my boat I would. :thumbsup:

PM me some contact info. I may have a job for your company(cant say I wont try to make 10-15%). Again, I AM A LOGISTICS BROKER, but this could be the start of something long lasting. With all the different types of freight we ship its amazing we have never ran boats before. I guess its a little to specialized and not a big enough market for us to consider before this request.

 

[Whitenights]

A 32' boat is not very big, at least compared to what most of these other posts are talking about. Would not require a rig near as big as shown, just need a professional delivery company that can get the right permits and has insurance.

 

[chris5635]

Skater2427, Thats a sweet looking rig you have . :thumbsup:

Why are your stacks so low ?? and she looks like she is squatting pretty bad. :wow:

Wayne,

I'm surprised you didnt have more to say about my profession :grin: You know considering We are sworn enemies!!! Or maybe at least in a past life of yours (you are retired correct?) I only remember this from the "What is it you do thread" a while back...

We can all agree the poster above does have a SWEEt rig though!!! No wonder I wanted his contact information!!!

 

[Summer Fun II]

You know considering We are sworn enemies!!!

Chris, When did this all happened . :huh:. I'm clueless on this one. :smt017

 

[jitts3]

Thanks for the info on the metal/wood bunk. That is more what I was looking for. This is not my boat I am inquiring about.

Unfortunately, I AM A FREIGHT BROKER. I do work for one of the BIG 4. I wont say which one. I will however say that (and when I say WE I cant speak for everyone) we (I) have a very select few carriers that I work with on a daily basis and DO NOT strictly go to the lowest bidder. Again, not saying its not an idsutry standard but as far as the business I do...I do however have companies and O/O's that check in on a daily basis to see what I have going out. Competitive rates and constant attention to both customer and driver relations play into it. Thanks for the info though!!

Well th is isn't a trucking forum. I'm sure you are an honest man. That puts you at odds with the broakers still to this day pimping out 0.98 per mile 48,000 lumber loads. Just saying for your benifit hire the company direct. Just because your load (the boat) is much more specialized than roofing shingles. Wasn't trying to offend you. But as an O/O I have more broaker horrer stories than I can type.
Good luck with your move:thumbsup:

 

[chris5635]

Chris, When did this all happened . :huh:. I'm clueless on this one. :smt017

AHAHAHAHA I was referring to brokers and drivers more in general. Not me and you personally. Sorry for the confusion! I personally away like your shananigans and brutally honest comments :grin:

 

[chris5635]

Well th is isn't a trucking forum. I'm sure you are an honest man. That puts you at odds with the broakers still to this day pimping out 0.98 per mile 48,000 lumber loads. Just saying for your benifit hire the company direct. Just because your load (the boat) is much more specialized than roofing shingles. Wasn't trying to offend you. But as an O/O I have more broaker horrer stories than I can type.
Good luck with your move:thumbsup:

No offense taken. I was just trying to make sure you understood what I was trying to do (as far as brokering the load out) I also never double broker a load. Haha I have horror stories over dealing with other brokers also! I will agree brokers(in general) can be fairly sketchy characters. Again, I like to think of myself as the exception!

PM me some contact info and what/where you normally like to haul maybe I can do something for you. Hows a 1.10 a mile sound :grin: Thats a joke btw. Im pretty sure I can do a little better than that. Also include the equip you run (if interested). I deal with more reefers this time of year. Mostly east coast to the midwest..

 

[Henry Boyd]

No offense taken. I was just trying to make sure you understood what I was trying to do (as far as brokering the load out) I also never double broker a load. Haha I have horror stories over dealing with other brokers also! I will agree brokers(in general) can be fairly sketchy characters. Again, I like to think of myself as the exception!

PM me some contact info and what/where you normally like to haul maybe I can do something for you. Hows a 1.10 a mile sound :grin: Thats a joke btw. Im pretty sure I can do a little better than that. Also include the equip you run (if interested). I deal with more reefers this time of year. Mostly east coast to the midwest..

Seriously, $ 1.10 a mile? When I was with Xtra in the 70s and 80s I was paying $ 1.25/mile for new trailer deliveries and chassis repositioning.

Henry