Transporting Sundancer 34

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topnote

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Dec 21, 2012
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About to transport my 1986 Sundancer 34 up the eastrn seaboard this spring. Trip is from Ft Lauderdale to Boston area.

could use any advice for shipping prep based on prior experiences.

My transporter says no shrink wrap because it almost always comes of and/or does damage flapping in the wind...but want to protect the instrument panel

He also asked me to remove props. The brokers name is Bill West from Haul your boat, inc. If anyone has any experience with him would love to hear about it.

any thoughts?
Thanks
 
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Why then is every new Sea Ray delivered via truck shrink wrapped?

If you don't shrink wrap you will spend the next year cleaning diesel soot and road film out of every nook and cranny on your boat. It is well worth the cost to have it done.
 
fwebster said:
Why then is every new Sea Ray delivered via truck shrink wrapped?

If you don't shrink wrap you will spend the next year cleaning diesel soot and road film out of every nook and cranny on your boat. It is well worth the cost to have it done.
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Damned good point. Thanks.
 
There might be a bit more care and some extra padding in rub spots when the factory does it to a half million dollar boat versus your marinas yard rat. But that's just my observation
 
Some of the shrink wrap that comes from the factory is a heavy duty version with a sort-of lightweight fleece backer. However, Frank's intended point is dead on accurate and I would DEFINITELY recommend shrink wrapping. If it's done correctly, it will be absolutely fine - the only reason it "could" fail would be if it suffered some type of damage... which would be pretty rare. Some shippers make that statement because they don't want to stop for ANY reason, now matter how slight the chance (to deal with removing a wrap that is coming off). Their job is to deliver the product and time is money. Heck, we shrink wrap boats ("normal" shrink wrap, but we do use a heavier mil for all of our shrink jobs) that get shipped half-way round the world and they always arrive in good shape. Get it shrinked, but make sure you get it done right.
 
I've got my boat shrink wrapped from Wilmington all the way to Dubai; from Willington to Baltimore by truck, then by ship for a month crossing the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Red Sea and finally again from the port to the yard by truck. No issues whatsoever with the cover, I'm glad I did it. Go for it without hesitation
 
A few years back my 290 was at the SeaRay dealer getting some work done - I was there waxing the boat while it was in their yard. An older 340 arrived that had been moved from somewhere up north, this was March so it had come through some snow and ice. The boat wasn't wrapped, just the canvas removed and things tied down. It was an unbelievable mess, the owner showed up while I was still there, I thought the guy was going to cry he was so upset. Wrap the boat - the guy moving it doesn't have to live with the consequences of not properly preparing the boat to move it.
 
Ok..ship with shrink wrap. Great advice and I will make that change.

Would love to hear any other sage advice with respect to transporting boat....

Should the props come off?

I will remove the eisenglass but what about the canvas? I have the new plastic feeling canvas replacement that is permanantly screwed onto an aluminum bimini top. Should that come off too if its all shrink wrapped?

also any advice on payment? Im set up to pay 10% on pick up and the balance on delivery...does that sound right?

thanks in advance for any thoughts you have. She's a 34' Dancer traveling from Ft Lauderdale to Portsmouth NH in the spring.
 
Final post mortem...Spent $6500 to transport from Ft Lauderdale to Portsmouth, NH. ... Shrink wrapped for $475.
 
Take the props off so there is no chance the get busted. Mark them with a marker so the dumbbells don't get them wrong putting them back on.
 
Good to hear everything turned out well for you, Top!

Mike Blake said:
Take the props off so there is no chance the get busted. Mark them with a marker so the dumbbells don't get them wrong putting them back on.
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Mike... you must be a FABULOUS Monday morning quarterback! :smt001 ...The boat was already delivered - his last post was to give an "update". It's amazing what you can find out by reading through the entire post. Yes, that was my attempt at a sarcastic joke :lol:
 
Lazy Daze said:
Good to hear everything turned out well for you, Top!



Mike... you must be a FABULOUS Monday morning quarterback! :smt001 ...The boat was already delivered - his last post was to give an "update". It's amazing what you can find out by reading through the entire post. Yes, that was my attempt at a sarcastic joke :lol:
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Gee sorry Mr Dennis I didn't see the date. How will you ever forgive me for giving sound advice even if it was late?
 
Glad all was successful! I had my 340 shipped in 2013 from Florida as well, and it sounds like you did all correct! Mine, the props came off and I had it shrink wrapped to protect from road rash, rain, and all the ills that come from the boat being opened! Arrived in perfect condition! Enjoy the summer!
Rob
Mike Blake said:
Gee sorry Mr Dennis I didn't see the date. How will you ever forgive me for giving sound advice even if it was late?
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No worries about timing of response. Someone shipping next year can benefit from the info on this blog, as I have.

Ive got another post mortem to add...dont forget to mark the sling sights on the hull after its shrink wrapped. I used electric tape on the outside of the shrink wrap plastic. That way when the hauler comes no-one is tempted to re open the shrink wrap to find the sling sites.

also, if you can, refueling on land from a gas truck will save you big bucks, if the marina where the boat is delivered too, allows it. In my case the fuel pump at the marina hadnt opened yet for the season so they let me refuel that way...at $1.80 a gallon!
 
topnote said:
Ive got another post mortem to add...dont forget to mark the sling sights on the hull after its shrink wrapped. I used electric tape on the outside of the shrink wrap plastic. That way when the hauler comes no-one is tempted to re open the shrink wrap to find the sling sites.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea!
 
Got another update...went to remove the shrink wrap in 30 degree temps and the tape adhesive wouldnt release. Where it covered a painted surface it began to pull up the paint on the hull. Marina yard worker came to th rescue..brought out a heat gun and, with a lot of patience the tape came off. Took three hours and had to work slow in a New Hampshire sleet storm. The tape had been applied less than a week before.

the yard guy says that its a mistake Florida Shrink wrappers make all the time...not factoring in the possible temp change that causes some types of tape to ruin paint and bright work.

K & B Yacht shrink wrappers out of Fort Lauderdale did a great job of shrink wrapping..no rips or tears from Lauderdale to New Hampshire, but were clueless about the adhesive problem caused by cold weather when I asked. They Recommended adhesive remover which might be a nice general answer but was not the right solution for my situation.

Just one more learning experience I wish I Had learned before hand.
 
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