Buck, our newest boat transporter with his new Waltron trailer has just left New Jersey with a Rinker 342 Fiesta V going to Des Moines Iowa. This boat had shrink wrap on it and within the first 200 miles it was coming off. There goes a waisted $800.00 dollars! He should be delivering on Monday to the boats new home in Iowa. Transporting this small of a boat is pretty straight forward as no escorts were needed being under 12 feet wide and of legal height.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

Washington boat transport is one of our main destinations on the west coast. Washington’s boat owners probably import sailboats, powerboats and yachts more than Oregon and quite possibly even California. Currently we have two boats being transported to Washington. A 45 foot hunter sailboat and a 50 foot Searay powerboat.

Washington has some of the best cruising grounds in the United States. The San Juan Islands are a favorite. Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Bellingham, Olympia, Port Orchard are just a handful of the ports of call in this beautiful area.

As a destination for a boat transport to Washington here are a few we through the years  have learned to prefer. In Olympia you have Swantown at the port of Olympia. In Anacortes you have Marine Service Center. Belingham hosts Seaview North Boatyard.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

Boat transporting both in and out of Maryland is quite busy as it is one of the largest boating communitys in the United States. Rumor has it it is the sailboat capitol as well. When transporting boats in or out of Maryland there are some terrific marinas and boatyards to handle just about anything a boat owner would want or need. Baltimore, Annapolis, and the area around Deale and Tracys Landing are great areas of destination when your boat is being hauled out for transport or going back into the water after being transported.

Logistics of transporting boats of all kinds, sailboats, powerboats and yachts are pretty straight forward as Maryland is a pretty easy state to transport boats around in. The routes are good and there are very few height restrictions in and out of the marinas.

Here are some of the marinas we like to use when transporting boats in the state of Maryland. In Annapolis we like to use Bert Jabins, In Baltimore we like to use Edwards Boatyard. In Tracys Landing we prefer Herrington Harbour North. Deal Maryland has a great boat yard, Harbour Cove Marina.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

We have been transporting alot of powerboats, sailboats and yachts in and out of Washington State the last few years. I think Washington boat owners import more boats than either Oregon or California. We transport alot of sailboats and trawlers into Washington State. Hey lets face it it is cruising country.

Washington State has alot of terrific destinations to spend time at while boating. Vancouver Island, San Juan Islands, Lake Washington to just name a few. Some of the ports of call that are terrific are Friday Harbor, Anacortes, Bellingham, and Port Orchard.

As a destination point for transporting boats into this area we have found a few we really enjoy working with. Here are a few, In Olympia Washington we like Swan Town at the Port of Olympia. Anacortes has a good boat yard. In Seattle we like Shilshole marina.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

When it comes to transporting boats though or to Pennsylvania right now it has been real hard to find a good route and to get a permit for oversize boats. There is a lot of road construction going on right now and finding a suitable route is slim pickings. I currently have two boats being transported through the state and it has been tough. I have a 45 foot Hunter sailboat, and a Catalina sailboat going through. The Hunter is being transported to Seattle Washington. The Catalina sailboat is being transported to Conneticut. I have no idea how long this situation is going to continue, but we all hope it ends soon.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

It appears that the season is on now. Everyone wants their boat transported now. It happens like this every once in a while when we have strange weather in the spring. When winter never seems to end, no one thinks of their boat. But lord help us when the weather breaks! We have been in this industry long enough to see it coming and it has. Currently we have a Nordic Tug Trawler yacht , a Beneteau sailboat, two Hunter sailboats, a Hatteras powerboat, and a few Sea Ray powerboats on the books to be transported. Current boats being transported are a Catalina sailboat, a Hunter sailboat, a Coast Guard boat, A Navy Boat, and a Mainship. These are all currently being transported across the country.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

             We are waiting now for permits and are ready to leave Conneticut for Seattle Washington now with a 45 foot Hunter Sailboat center cockpit. She is 47 overall in length and 14 feet wide, loaded out at over 14 feet tall. When you transport a boat through or in Conneticut the state only allows you to transport boats on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This boat has a expected delivery day of next Tuesday. It usually takes around a week to transport a oversize yacht of this size accross the country. Mary and Bob Hodgson will be happy to get their boat to the west coast as their family lives there and they look forward to cruising this sailboat alot. Hunter sailboats are usualy gelcoated all white, but notice the custom paint work on this boat. I understand it was ordered custom from the factory that way.

Tags: Boat Transport, Sailboat Transport // Add Comment »

I have always been a admirer of Sea Ray Boats and Yachts. When I owned my boat repair facility in Portland Oregon we had the opportunity to be working on Sea Rays all the time. The north west is Sea Ray country, and has the full range of boats represented there. From the Sport Boats that range from 17 ft to 30ft, the Sport Cruisers that range from 24ft to 37ft, the Sport Yacht that range from 38ft to 51ft and of coarse the Yachts that range in size from 52ft to 61ft. I have always found Sea Ray boats to be well made considering they are a production boat and built by Bayliner!! Now the only Sea Ray boats we get to see are the larger boats that we transport, the 30ft and up to the 61ft yacht.

Sea Ray was founded in 1959 and was one of the first boat builders to use fiberglass reinforcement technology in manufacturing their boats and yachts. Brunswick Corporation acquired Sea Ray boats in 1986. Sea Ray operates 8 factories  in North America.

Tags: Boat Transport, Powerboat Transport // Add Comment »

Although we are known for transporting oversize boats and yachts, both sailboats and powerboats. We also transport small boats on their own trailers. Transporting a boat long distance from state to state still requires some level of expertise and experience. Transporting a boat from your home to the marina to launch it for the day is one thing, transporting a boat from one state to another can be tiring and monotonous. It is easy to fall asleep at the wheel. Minor maintenance issues seem to poke up their ugly heads when going long distance. Tires and wheel bearings need attention before the trip and periodicaly while under tow. We always check the tires and bearings. Checking the bearings while transporting for heat is a good way to see if the bearings are in good shape and the wheel grease is doing its job. Checking the tie down straps periodical is always a good idea.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »

When looking for a boat transport, sailboat transport, or a yacht transport company to haul your boat there are some things that every boat owner should analyze. The first thing is if the boat transporter you are looking at is qualified to transport your boat. What does his boat hauling equipment look like. One of the first things I look for in a driver is the shape of his truck and trailer. If a driver has a old rusted out boat hauling trailer what does that say about his attitude when it comes to caring for your boat? I personally will not put on a truck and trailer if it is not in good shape and of vintage that it can do the job. When you are loading large oversize boats and yachts, height is of major concern. Trailers that were built 25 years ago were not designed to effectively reduce the overall height of a boat while it is being transported. The trailers have inside frames which get into the way when loading a boat. Newer trailers like Waltrons, are outside framed and can swallow a hull like there is no tomorrow. We generally can run the bottom of a v-styled boat about 6-7 inches off the ground. That is the name of the game, keep it low. This makes the boat transport safer and in some cases less costly for the owner due to sometimes not having to employ a pole car.

Next I look at the boat transporters overall experience and track record in the industry. Is he experienced at transporting boats that are oversize in dimension. Transporting powerboats, sailboats and yachts overland requires alot of experience in not only handling a load but the logistics of keeping the boat moving. If the preparatory work on routing and permiting are not done in advance properly, problems usually occur costing time and money. Experience that comes from transporting boats nationwide cannot be overstated.

Last of all I recommend you get a feel for the companies attitude. Does the person you have been talking to have a good general knowledge of boats or is he or she simply a salesman. Go with your gut feeling. You should choose a boat transporter you feel comfortable with on a personal and professional level.

Tags: Boat Transport // Add Comment »