Transporting a Boat - Due Diligence Questions

[Alex F]

I'm looking to find some tips and recommendations on proper arrangement for transporting a boat. I'll be using a transportation service and I'm sure that they will handle the part of securing the boat, but what about coveryng? When I see other boats being trasported they have shrink wrap on them. Is this the most recommended method or there're other options? Is there anything else I need to take care of aside from having the boat covered?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Dave S]

I have seen Frank Webster advise other folks on our board to shrink wrap the boat to prevent having diesel soot (from the transport truck) all over the boat. I guess this soot is pretty difficult to clean off the boat. I remember a post from another person on the board who didn't shrink wrap and he had a hard time getting the boat clean. You might want to do a search to see if you can find that posting.

 

[black pearl]

Alex, What size boat and how far are you moving it. Just had mine moved from SC to Alabama and was smooth as silk. 340 sundancer. I did not wrap it and it was still clean when it got there. I can give you the name and number to the guy if you want it. He was great to work with and will go anywhere. His price was cheaper than anyone I checked with as well. Email me if you want the info. Good luck, Jim

 

[Alex F]

Jim,

I'm still looking for my new 320DA. Based on how the search is developing it's a very good chance I'll be transporting the boat from FL to NJ, about 1200 miles. What does the company you've used charge? It'll be great if you can give me their contacts.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[jjssas]

To: "Black Pearl": Please provide contact info on the your boat transporter. Thanks

Court Ship
Baltimore, MD

 

[barryg]

Hi Alex,
I had my 320 transported from kentucky to Fort Lauderdale by a transporter recommended by the surveyor I used up there. Besides taking down the TV antenna and securing all the cushions and anything that might come loose during transport, I didn't have it shrink wrapped, but they did have a combination of moving blankets and 6mil plastic used.

Make sure you call your own insurance company and find out the exact wording of the coverage rider that the transporter needs to have on your boat, as well as having your boat insured by your insurance company starting the date you purchase the boat, and temporary coverage from where you purchase it. On my 320 (2005), one of the decals marking a sling area was wrong, and if they had not caught it, it might have damaged the shafts.

The move went off without any problems, and I have been enjoying my 320 since.

Good Luck !!!
Barry

 

[fwebster]

I'd still spend the money for and require shrink wrap before transporting. You cannot imagine the mess a boat will be after 1200 miles of diesel soot and road grime......10X worse if the weather ir rainy. The hull is easy to clean up, but the vacuum created by the windshield on the boat means the soot/grime is going to get into every nook, cranny and orifice...even down to the stitch lines in the upholstry.

The other huge issue wold be insurance during transit. Many boat policies cover your boat while its under your control but do not cover a boat in transit while it is handled and controlled by someone with no insurable interest. A bailment is created, but absent a contract spelling out who is responsible for what in case a problem occurs you have nothing to stand on other than the reasonable man standard. If a reasonable man could not determine that the oncoming 18 wheeler was going to sideswipe your boat and your transported was in the right place and not negligent, then you are stuck.

If the transporter says he is insured does he mean his truck, that he has liability or does he have a policy that covers your boat. A liability policy the he self insures the first $50K on doesn't mean squat if he doesn't have $50K......but it does let him say "I'm insured".

..........Lots more questions to ask than "how much?"

 

[Warren]

I can only add to what FWebster has said - truckers may sell you EKM stories about the shrink wrap coming off in the first hundred miles, don't believe it!

Shrink wrap if you can. And find out how they will wrap and what guage film is used. Both EKM and I took delivery of boats by truck from Florida and NC respectively this spring and we both had HUGE problems getting them clean at the destination. The road grease and oil is thrown up by the uncovered wheels when the truck hits wet spots or rain, resulting in black "measle-like" stains everywhere. As Frank indicated it is reatively easy to remove from well waxed areas such as the hull if it has been well maintained - but the decks and cockpit are another matter. I had a marina clean and detail our boat for 3 days upon arrival and there are still a few stubborn oil stains on the swim platform that I am working on.. You can check our posts from earlier threads and the description of cleaning products that we used.

Most of the trucks used for boats now have their exhausts low to the ground so it's not too much of a problem but the oil and grease from the roadbed is another matter! EKM's 400SD was delivered to NJ and ours came to Toronto. Long trips and both trucks encountered rain.

Frank is correct about insurance also. Get the trucker to fax or email a copy of their policy and any limitations. I also had to have the arch and the props removed at extra cost at both ends. You may too depending upon the route. Most truckers provide a list of requirements of the owner - compare them carefully as some will not allow shrink wrap. Bypass them and get a competent company.

Other than the above problem I was pleased with our trucker they were diligent, economical and honest. And in fareness the condition of the boat upon arrival was not their fault - we couldn't find any one to shrink wrap our boat in N.C. and neither could EKM in Florida. Contact me privately if you want the name of our trucker.

So lots of considerations and "questions" to be answered before you sign a trucking contract. Good luck!
Warren

 

[black pearl]

Sorry took so long to get back, I had left work for the day. The guys name is Jim. His number is 772-201-3444. He also included 150,000 of insurance. The total charge was $1800.00 and he helped me build the craddle for it to sit in. Great guy and a lot of help. Hope this helps. Jim

 

[RubberDuckeeToo2]

Our 370DA made the trip from Stuart, FL to Connecticut this past spring and the transporter advised us not to shrink wrap the boat. The theory is not that the wrap will tear or come off, but the flapping from the wind will abrade the fiberglas, possibily wearing through the gelcoat.

We did not cover the boat and it made it here relatively clean. I had the yard clean and wax the hull from the rub rail down and it came out pretty good. We cleaned topsides. The boat was really dirty before we bought it so we expected to be cleaning for while. It was no big deal.

Check the transporter out very carefully. We were stood up by the guy we originally hired and the replacement came at an increased cost of $2K although it was well worth it.

Gene

 

[fwebster]

Every new boat Sea Ray ships is shrink wrapped.

I guess the concern is who and how good a job the guy wrapping the boat does.

 

[comsnark]

Considering that the boat is worth over $100K. . .I would think shrinkwrapping is "due diligence" on your part. I would also plan on spending money on a good detailing upon arrival (unless you are not planning to launch until spring).

I can imagine "shrink wrap for transport" is different than "Shrink wrap for winter". Different stresses and needs.

 

[boatmailster]

Considering that the boat is worth over $100K. . .I would think shrinkwrapping is "due diligence" on your part. I would also plan on spending money on a good detailing upon arrival (unless you are not planning to launch until spring).

I can imagine "shrink wrap for transport" is different than "Shrink wrap for winter". Different stresses and needs.

yes, a little different
for transport you need to tape bottom of shrinkwrap to hull to prevent from air entering under wrap while towing on higher speed
you can check Lighthouse Transport from Lindenhurst NY (Long Island) as they specialize towing big boats and I believe those guys are in florida at least once a week (I've seen picture of their truck and big sail boat in, I think "Romancing The Stone"). I don't know anyone in NJ who I could recommend

 

[Carpedmman]

I transported my boat from Wisconsin to Oregon last year - 2200mi. I had everything removed from the cockpit -cushions, carpet, etc then took some 3'wide carpet sticky film (like builders use in new construction homes) and wrapped the front of the boat 3/4 on he hull from the rub rail down. This allowed clean up to be a cinch! Boat transported very easlily and needed little clean-up time on my end.

Good luck!

 

[Alex F]

yes, a little different
for transport you need to tape bottom of shrinkwrap to hull to prevent from air entering under wrap while towing on higher speed
you can check Lighthouse Transport from Lindenhurst NY (Long Island) as they specialize towing big boats and I believe those guys are in florida at least once a week (I've seen picture of their truck and big sail boat in, I think "Romancing The Stone"). I don't know anyone in NJ who I could recommend

boatmailster,
What kind of tape should be used that sticks well and comes off easy?

Thx,
Alex.

 

[Alex F]

After hearing number of issues finding a good shop to shrink rap the boat I'm trying to see if there's an alternative. Do you guys see any objections on using the tarps (I'm sure few will be required)? Another one, how about a custom waterproof cover (I have one for my 240DA I use for long trips and winter storage), which covers from bow to swim platform?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Warren]

Yes there is a problem with canvas or tarps - in a word CHAFE. The forces pressing a tarp against a boat moving at 60+ mph plus any wind effect plus the effects of other moving vehicles are very significant. In my opinion it is not an option given the distances that you are transporting. There will be gelcoat damage and possibly damage to the arch or windscreen, etc. even when the arch is cleared of all electronics.

As others have suggested do your best to find a competent shrink wrapper who has experience with boat transport. After a thorough search (and don't expect any help from transport companies as discussed earlier) if you cannot - then go ahead and skip it but do expect (a) great disappointment when you see the boat arrive (glad to send you photos of ours) and (b) several man/days of work using a myriad of chemical cleaning products.

Warren

 

[unklbuck]

The trucker i used from Cleveland to Pittsburgh had several unpaid tickets so when he showed up at the marina, 3 Ohio State Police and one dude from ODOT had a field day with the trucker. End result, 5 days delay while the trucker repaired cracks on trailer, truck, etc. Total frustration:

Thought it looked good with the shrink wrap:

Poor shrink job, boat not too dirty though as trip was 125 miles, but getting that blue tape off was a nightmare.

One year on the Allegheny River, heavy boat rocking from traffic, could only go 6 miles in any direction before a lock, and slowing down to no wake for every marina was a must return to the Lake. NO comparison with the boating, but the commute is 2x longer and that is semi yukky. the second truck experience was a little less stressful, but he thought he would bottom out the trailer crossing the tracks so we had to go to a different marina to load.