Shipping advice? 320DA TN to MI

[hanger505]

I just upgraded to a 2003 320DA that I will have to have shipped from TN. This will be the first time I will have a boat shipped and have no clue what to expect. I have looked at uship.com at other 320's and it looks like I hopefully will not have to remove the arch for the Journey. I plan on shrink-wrapping just the cockpit area but not the whole boat after looking at other threads. Has anyone had a similar boat shipped this distance that has other advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

 

[dwna1a]

Get with Shaun on the Classic thread, Luckies. He just moved his 300 from MI to Fl. He might have the name of a few movers

 

[Robski97]

A lot people say great things about " Svensons " . Arch may have to come down. I would wrap the entire boat. Saves u the headache of having it cleaned when she gets home . A lot road grime and soot !!!!

Good luck

Rob

 

[strange weather]

In 2007 I bought my boat in Ventura,Ca. had it shipped to Lake Mead NV-about 450 miles-took off the electronics on top of the arch but the arch didn't need removal- turned out that the electronics didn't need to be removed after all-the use of an experienced boat hauler would be my advise- mine used a very low trailer and tractor set up-if you don't have to remove anything don't -they never seem to go back the same-good luck with the move

 

[Ididntdoit]

+1 on uship - no matter how its moved (f350/450 with standard trailer or Tractor/low boy) make sure the hauler is a motor carrier not just some guy with a truck that claims to have enough insurance. Also, when I move my 300da (standard tri axle trailer) it barely makes the required height with the electronics removed but the arch up.

 

[Southpaw II]

If there is any way you can be there for the rig down of the boat, do so. Don't trust someone else to supervise it. Put carpet, canvas, and anything removable below in the cabin. It would be a good idea to bag the carpet in plastic bags. You have to remember these events often occur in the rain, and the last thing you want is roughnecks throwing stuff below just to get the boat loaded, and on the road. If you have electronics on the arch, remove them if you can, or they will be subject to road debris, vandals, and low hanging tree limbs. Wiring needs to be properly disconnected and labeled. Remember, truckers get paid by the mile, and they like to go as fast as they can afford.

Good luck,

Don

 

[hanger505]

Thanks for the great info, I am sure it is going to be a hectic week getting her up here.

 

[Lucky's]

Great advise so far, especially pulling canvas, carpet, etc and placing down below or take with you. I debated about shrinkwrap. I in the end IO shrinkwrapped the whole boat and, after seeing how dirty the shrink was, I was glad I did!!! I was able to leave my arch and radar dome up and in tact. I'm sure there are many great companies out there. My experience was with Great Lakes Boat Haulers. I dealt with Chris, the owner. From the price shopping I did, they were very fair priced and the communication was impeccable. Leading up to the move I heard from him almost daily with updates regarding permits, timelines, etc. On the actual move I got email updates from him throughout the day on the progress and I got a call each night from the driver telling me where he was at, where he was stopping for the night and how the day went. Overall, I was very happy with them and would have no reservations recommending them. Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions. Shaun

 

[All's Well]

I used Jim Casson (C&J Transport) to move my 460DA
I've moved boats 5 times and Jim is by far the best that I have used
772-201-3444

 

[Jeremygavin]

I had my 2005 340 moved from NV to Cape Cod MA last spring. I used Uship and the winning bidder was Joule yacht Transport. They were not the lowest bidder but I went with them becasue they have good reviews on Uship. They have the right equipment (tractor and lowboy trailer) and know what they are doing. I didn't have to take the arch off, just clear the top of all electronics. I had a large communication issue with them but I think it was more do to myself not being at the yard when it was picked up in NV. The selling broker didn't have anything to load the boat onto thier trailer with becasue they mostly deal with smaller boats so it took them all day to ge the boat loaded with manual jacks. Needless to say the driver was pissed. More importantly, the boat didn't get loaded low enough on the trailer to make it into New England becasue we have alot of old low bridges. Joule had promised me that the arch didn't have to come down so they took it to their yard and lowered it enough to get it under the low bridges. It sat in thier yard for more than a week while they waited to have it lowered but in the end they honored thier price and the boat showed up unharmed.

I had paid the selling broker to shrink wrap the entire boat but they only wrapped from the rail up and that was poorly done and blew off within 500 miles according to the driver. It took me about 20hrs to clean and buff the hull to get all the grit and grim off. I had a couple of knicks in the bow too from rocks from the tractor tires. I would 100% say shrink wrap the entire boat. Worth every penny.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Shipped our 320 from Va. to Wisconsin 2 years ago. SHRINK WRAP THE WHOLE BOAT!!. It's worth it. Shrink wrap shouldn't go over the arch, but through it. Arch doesn't need to come off if a lowboy trailer is used, but electronics need to come off. My shipping yard swore the boat should be loaded bow 1st, the truck driver said stern 1st. Obviously the driver won. Driver can't travel on certain days, but a reputable driver will know that. Horizon Marine, and Doug Tordik was the owner/operator. Not sure if he still drives, but his son did too.
321-794-1874. I would rate them A+++. Other contact info I had: .between: Horizon Marine Inc., 333 Peregrine Dr. Indialantic, FL 32903. Phone(321) 777-3387 Fax (321) 777-2940 (hereinafter designated “Motor Carrier”)



Anything else, just ask.
Mike[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

[Vince_nj1]

Prior to my purchase, my boat was shipped from Massachusetts to Maryland. The hauler removed the props and rudders and all the electronics off the radar arch. The radar arch did not have to come off. Word of warning. Remove the electronics yourself or be there when it is done. The A-hole that moved my boat simply cut the radar cable and coax cable for the Glomax antenna. The coax was for the Glomax was an easy fix, the Radar cable had to be replaced.

Good luck

 

[Alex F]

I shipped my 320DA from Tampa FL to NJ in 2007. Here are few things based on my experience:

1. Radar arch does NOT need to come off. If they insist, move on to a different company. All it takes is low profile trailer with proper set of permits (a bit more money). If I recall, the whole rig needs to be in 13.5' range to clear the bridges.
2. I looked at the pix and don't see clearly and can't say 100% that I removed the props. But, everything (radar, glomex, GPS antenna, etc.) from the arch needs to be cleared. Take Vince's advice and remove the items yourself or hire some one who knows what he's doing. It's not a big deal until some idiot start cutting wires.
3. I had no debates what so ever and I knew that the boat will be shrink wrapped one way or the other. I don't see my boat being "dragged" for 1300 miles collecting all the crap from the roads. Just make sure to tell them that it needs to be done for transportation and the difference is that they'll use shrink wrap tape around the boat to secure the cover in place.
4. Don't go for best price transportation comp. go for the reputable one. If they truck is delayed you'll pay for storage in the marina waiting for the truck. This will wrack up your bill very fast at the daily rate of few bucks per foot per day.

All in all, if you deal with the good and reliable people it could be a walk in the park. Otherwise, like with anything it could be a mess and aggravation.

 

[peterkvs]

I just had my 400DA moved from Atlanta to Alabama. It was only about 200 miles. I used Lakeside Transport 770-945-2353. Talk to Greg. They are out of atlanta, so pretty close to TN. He did a great job getting the boat to me. If you use a lowboy you won't need to remove the props or rudders. You will have to remove everything off of the radar arch. Do this yourself or pay a marina to do it. Marine Max prepared my boat for transport and did a good job, but even they tore up a few things. Stuff that has been baking in the sun for years tends to get brittle. Marine Max taped everything that could move or rattle in place. All doors drawers toilet lids etc. Anything that can blow around needs to be moved down below and secured. They used a white vinyl tape that was sticky as hell, came off hard, but came off 100% clean. For your distance I would recommend shrink wrap. Also, drain the water tank and holding tanks too. When you put the boat in the water make sure you open up the lids on the strainers to let all the air out before you crank the engine and watch the exhaust for water ejection. Also, after that long trip you will need to check the shaft and engine alignment aa couple weeks after the boat is back in the water. Here is a picture of my 400DA on the lowboy. Good Luck. Pete

 

[HUMPH]

I didn't need to remove anything but my radar to get from Newport Beach to Stockton CA ( about 450 miles). No shrink wrap or anything dramatic but I was going to do a lot of cleaning anyway.

 

[carterchapman]

Hanger - I used Sonny Norman (Goodman Norman Marine Transport) from NJ to TN. Sonny or his wife Rhonda will answer at 410-937-2127. He did a great job on the move - he's been in the business a long time. He rescued my boat from Sandy, so he's real high on my list...