Although we move haul some of the largest boats allowed on the freeway and county road system I was amazed at this mode of transportation. Dockwise Yacht Transport has a new ship coming into their fleet to move oversize boats internationally. It will transport powerboats, sailboats and yachts across the ocean. Check out this link to the news flash and video I came across. Hays Marine Transport http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvmx2TytM9c
This blog entry is about boat transport and things to think about prior to and during preparation of your boat for transport.
The first thing that needs to addressed to accurately get a quote from a boat transporter is get the correct measurements. We need the overall height and beam. On larger boats the weight becomes a factor. The boat measurements are needed for factoring which boat transport trailer is dispatched for your boat transport. It is also needed for the assessment if a escort is needed for either the height or the beam.
Boat transporters need to have a marina that has the capability to load a boat properly. That means a travel lift or a crane. It also should have the personnel to disassemble and prep a boat for transport. Being able to maneuver in and get loaded with a boat is of great importance. Being able to easily get into the marina and get out loaded with a large oversize boat is mandatory.
When preparing a boat for transport, the canvas needs to be taken down and put below decks to ensure a safe boat transport. Canvas does not travel well as does not lexan windshields, these need to be removed prior to transporting your boat.
Most times while transporting a boat the dingy will fit somewhere on the trailer or on the boat for transport. It will need to be deflated if it is a inflatable. The outboard motor needs to be removed and stored elsewhere for transport.
When preparing a boat for transport the anchor needs to be stowed or removed. The anchor can possibly come loose in transport or possibly even chafe the gel-coat on the bow of the boat.
All electronics should be removed or firmly secured. Radar domes or television antennas need to be removed as well. Any dash mounted electronic heads need to be stowed below prior to shipping a boat. Flush mount electronic heads can usually be left in place.
Smaller boat are sometimes shipped on their own trailers. When preparing a boat for transport on its own trailer maintenance items need to be addressed. When transporting a boat on its own trailer the brake fluid needs to be topped off. The wheel bearings need to be up to speed, meaning the grease should be fresh and in good serviceable order to protect the axles from burning up.
Hays Marine Transport specializes in transporting yachts, sailboats, powerboats and trailerable boats on their own trailers. Any questions not covered in this page can be addresses by calling 360 414 8888 Additionaly if you google our company there is a wealth of info in our website.
Transporting oversize boats has become quite challenging this year as the road construction in some of the states has made it hard to obtain permits. Due to the weather this year, some of the states has put off all the construction projects until now. There are multiple states with a unusual amount of over-width and oversize restrictions that make routing oversize boats being transported difficult to transport.
When transporting oversize boats, we need to get the authorization to travel on the roads, be it county, city or state routes. When a permit is ordered for a oversize boat and there is a construction project in the route, they deny the permit and we have to start from scratch. Some times they will issue a permit and give us a route that is a lot more miles to transport than originally planned. That is when you the customer will get a call bringing you up to date on the additional miles needed to travel to get from point A to point B. When transporting a oversize boat that is needing a escort or two, the costs will go up. Oversize boat transport usually has its pitfalls and snags but when road construction delays and detours get in the way it usually takes much longer to facilitate a move.
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.
We just completed transporting a 49 foot Oyster Sailboat from Maryland to California. This sailboat weighed almost 50,000 lbs and was 15.2 feet when loaded. She had a 15 ft beam. Due to the nature of moving a sailboat of this size it took 9 days coast to coast to complete the boat transport. The owner was happy to get her to his new home in California. Smooth sailing Peter!!