Looking for Good Truck Shipper - Miami to Seattle

[SailingYoungs]

We are moving our Bavaria 49 from Miami to Seattle in June. We will be driving along and so able to provide our own chase cars. Can anyone recommend a good shipper to do that trip? I know you can ship from points in Texas to the West coast easier, but we already have our reservations at Disney World

[Randyonr3]

When I had mine trucked from idaho to Coos Bay, I used "Duddly" transport out of Seattle.. They have been in business for a good number of years and had all the answers to the questions I asked, (insurance, permits, and so on)..
And they knew the roads... had to detour a couple hundred miles out of the way due to over heigth...
They delivered "On Time" and "Without Damage" ..

[SearenitySail]

SailingYoungs,

I figured I would be making this post sooner or later.

I used Associated Boat Transport out of Marysville, Washington after I realized I was likely being ripped off by Global Yacht Hauling and Ed Perrin. I HIGHLY recommend Associated and their owner Jack. Their web address is associatedboat.com. They transported my boat from Anacortes, WA to Baltimore without a scratch.

One of the references they provided me was Nordic Tug and they couldn't say enough good things about Associated Boat Transport.

Associated does NOT require a deposit. As Jack said to me, anyone who needs to use your deposit to secure permits and "chase" cars probably isn't really solvent enough for you to want to do business with. Another reason he said he doesn't need the deposit is because "I have your boat!"

Global required 50% deposit, 25% on pickup and 25% on delivery. To make a long story short, I lost $7500. You can read about it if you want to bother on the web site I created at Don't Be A Global Yacht Hauling, Inc. Victim, Too!! Read and Learn: (Beware of Global Yacht Hauling Inc.)

I also have a page on the site making recommendations about choosing a shipper.

Which brings us to uShip.com There is an article about shipping your boat in the current Boat/US magazine. PM me and I can send a PDF copy of the article to you.

Global Yacht Hauling is listed on uShip ans 1Global Yacht Hauling. When I notified uShip about Global and the number of people they had ripped off, they basically told me caveat emptor--let the buyer beware!

Good luck shipping your boat!

Marshall

[gettinthere]

I had a horrible experience with Anchors Away transport. He is in SW Florida. Covered my boat in diesel soot. Had to wet sand to remove the stains. Put many big scratches in my mast & boom.

[doug86]

I used American Yacht Transport to truck from Los Angeles to Galveston, TX. Highly recommended. Professional, great trucks and drivers. They're price included completely wrapping my boat in plastic.

American Yacht Transport

One note: you probably will not be able to supply your own "chase car", as most states require that the case cars are licensed and insured for that job, and the drivers have to have a commercial driver's license.

[moonie5961]

I used Bo Smith to transport my boat from Chareleston SC to Ft Worth TX. He made it a painless experience. He used a hydraulic trailer (no travel lift in my back yard) and was still considerably cheaper, and easier to work with than any of the others I was looking at. I am sure if he has a trailer to handle a 48' boat, but for what it's worth when I am ready to take my boat back to the ocean, I'll be using him again.

smithsboatsalvage.com

[westsail42]

I second SearenitySail's recommendation of Associated Boat Transport. They are rated highly by a number of local yards and boat dealers. They do local and long haul moves. I used them once for a local, hydraulic trailer, move and was very satisfied.

For a long haul one-way I used Piazza Boat Transport and was satisfied. He is based in Sacramento CA but I see his truck up here (in the PNW) frequently. If you are willing to wait for him to find a back haul job he can give you a good deal.

[boatsmith]

Skipper Shipper in Jensen Beach FL David

[FloridaWriter]

Tom Wagner (BOAT TRANSPORTATION and BOAT HAULING - T.J. WAGNER TRUCKING- Boat Transportation and Boat Hauling Boat Trailer Boat Launching based in Florida-Mass) in the St. Pete area. Exceptionally careful and has a hydraulic trailer.

Good luck,

[Maren]

Originally Posted by SailingYoungs

We are moving our Bavaria 49 from Miami to Seattle in June. We will be driving along and so able to provide our own chase cars. Can anyone recommend a good shipper to do that trip? I know you can ship from points in Texas to the West coast easier, but we already have our reservations at Disney World

I used Lewis Specialized Trucking twice and they did an wonderful job both times (CA to east coast; MI to east coast). Furthermore, they're nice people who communicate with their clients. I was never left wondering what day something would happen or if everything was fine or not.

On the other hand, I recommend you avoid any shipper who after being fined by the Federal Fish and Wildlife, tells two agents he intends to kill them and is now facing Federal charges

As for the chase cars, apparently there is a course and certification for that, just in case you might be thinking anyone can do it.

[geoffschultz]

Thanks for the good information. I was just about to post my own question asking the same thing when I searched and found this thread.

-- Geoff

[SailingYoungs]

Thanks everyone. I've requested quotes from all the shippers you recommended.

[toodleoo]

Originally Posted by Maren

I used Lewis Specialized Trucking twice and they did an wonderful job both times (CA to east coast; MI to east coast). Furthermore, they're nice people who communicate with their clients. I was never left wondering what day something would happen or if everything was fine or not.

On the other hand, I recommend you avoid any shipper who after being fined by the Federal Fish and Wildlife, tells two agents he intends to kill them and is now facing Federal charges

As for the chase cars, apparently there is a course and certification for that, just in case you might be thinking anyone can do it.

I just moved a 42,000 lb boat from Cocoa Beach to Decatur, AL. Great people to deal with.
Also recommend that you avoid an ill-tempered hauler out of Miami. Contact me by E-Mail for details.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by toodleoo

I just moved a 42,000 lb boat from Cocoa Beach to Decatur, AL. Great people to deal with.
Also recommend that you avoid an ill-tempered hauler out of Miami. Contact me by E-Mail for details.

I'm glad, but not surprised, you had a good move with them. They're honest and professional which is unfortunately more and more rare.

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by doug86

One note: you probably will not be able to supply your own "chase car", as most states require that the case cars are licensed and insured for that job, and the drivers have to have a commercial driver's license.

The insurer of the chase car becomes responsible for the load if an accident occurs. Reason being a driver often can't see around an oversize load and must rely on the eyes he has hired to escort him to his destination. If the driver hits something, this is the one case the driver is not to blame.