Trucking a yacht

[3dubs]

I do not feel like asking a shipping company to contact me. So I will throw it out. How much does it cost to truck a yacht? I know there are variables. But what are they? What is the loading and unloading charges? How much per mile? What can be negotiated? What can't? I have a gone through a few vintage VW's (I still have two 1979 VW busses my wifes has an automatic transmission) and know there are tricks to auto shipping. Looking at a boat in California and want to know if it would be cheaper to have someone fix it out there and sail it back to Clear Lake, near Houston or have it trucked and do the repairs myself here. When my wife finds out I may be sleeping in my bus

[kthoennes]

Depends, depends, etc. Have to remove the superstructure and put it back on? How big a yacht? How much prep work on the starting end, and recommissioning on the receiving end? Hauling through Chicago/major metro area, or across North Dakota? However, all that aside, if you want just a very rough ballpark, think $4 to $5 a mile, unless you're trying to move the Queen Mary. You may be able to chisel a lower price, and shippers may give you bids that look lower, but $4-$6 will usually do it.

[tropicalescape]

I got a price of 300 to pull and wash the bottom plus and load on the truck...800 to haul 4 hrs away(200miles)and 300 to unload at other end..I had to drop the mast or pay 100 to have it dropped and 100 to raise it ...my boat is a command yachts douglas 32...DVC

[dennisjay]

I had our boat trucked from Mobile, Alabama to Annapolis, Md. Hired the best. Not cheap — total was like $5K. Key is prepping the boat for the long haul. I hired a local yard that had a lot of experience in prepping this brand. Moving a boat is much more involved than a car.

[Paperbird]

Ditto on the depends (that sounds bad, doesn't it?).

Some other factors to consider based on recent experience:

- width. different states have different escort rules. Your hauler may have to hire escorts at the border of various states, may have restricted travel hours (rush hour, after dark), etc.

- back haul. If you give the hauler some time flexibility, you may save some $ if they can arrange a haul to Cal and then bring your boat back.

As mentioned, do as much prep as possible yourself. Secure everything below. And don't forget to label all the mast wire connections (don't ask...)

[capt.bobfm]

It's usually not a good idea to truck a boat when sailing it is an option. The bottom line is that a boat was not designed to travel over land. The action on the highway is detramental to the boat at best and can do some major damage (although sometimes not apparent right away). Check out what it would cost to sail it home. If it is about the same cost or even 10% more or, it's worth it.

[CharlieCobra]

The hauling prices almost doubled in the last year. What cost me $3400 last Nov would cost me $7500 now.

[3dubs]

The problem is it is on the West Coast and I need it on the Gulf Coast. Interstate 10 is almost a straight shot. I am not sure about the Panama Canal costs. If I fixed her in California but got stuck somewhere going around it could cost much more. I am just trying to weigh my options.

[skipmac]

Totally depends on how big the boat.

Big boats need big trailers, special permits (that cost money), escort or two.

Small boat you can put on a trailer yourself and pull it with a pickup truck.

So, what size you talking about?

[Cotemar]

3dubs,

Your boat has to be cheaper to ship than these !!!!

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

3dubs,

Your boat has to be cheaper to ship than these !!!!

Wow! Those pictures certainly answers a questions I had.

[3dubs]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

3dubs,

Your boat has to be cheaper to ship than these !!!!

Yup! But those are some great pictures. I would prefer to sail her. Just not sure about costs of fixing her in California to get her sailing. Someone may beat me to it anyway. But it got me thinking so I thought it was worth asking. Maybe I can find someone that can't afford upkeep on their boat on the East Coast or Gulf Coast. I could limp that down to Florida and put it in a friends yard. I am sure his wife would hate me forever

It is 40 feet long and almost 12 feet wide. I am thinking it would be cheaper to fix her in cali and sail sail around. I have been wanting to go to South America anyway

[skipmac]

That size you will definitely need wide load permits and escorts, probably front and back. Trucking cross country would be many thousands.

Only makes sense if you have found that one special boat or the world's best deal and have to get it to the other coast.

[David_Old_Jersey]

That is a serious voyage.

Especially if you are comparing paying for yard work (in present location) to DIY (at home) then I would be very surprised if trucking did not work out cheaper overall (with trip costs included) - don't underestimate the aggro, time and cost of getting work done at arms length....especially when you find out work not always done as you wanted (or well?).....appreciate won't be doing everything at arms length, no doubt finishing her off (making "just so" ) will be done at home port - but nonetheless given the intended voyage would expect the boat to be made fundamentally sound, and adequately equipped before setting off.....no boat, whether new or second hand is ever quite ready to set off without at least some new owner tweeking (at best).

I think your best starting bet is to simply contact a haulier and get a ballpark figure. As said already, probably an oversized load and would also be good to get someone who has experiance of transporting boats (particularly in making sure they don't fall off the truck enroute!).....if not already bought can simply factor that into your price for the boat - doesn't mean that the vendor has to swallow those costs, but at least you know in advance of buying / making a firm offer......or simply pricing up other boats in your locale.

[Sand crab]

Check out my posts and pics of a Gunboat 90 being trucked through town. As I said before look at the sign "Abnormal" on the bumper of the truck. That cracks me up....again. Posts 38 and 39. BOB
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