Boat Transport Preparation Guide
Boat Transport Questions & Answers!
Measuring Your Boat For Transport
When requesting a quote to transport your Boat, the dimensions are extremely important. Please follow these guidelines for measuring your Boat accurately:
1. Overall Length include bow pulpits, swim platforms, motor brackets and the length of the motors or out drives
in the raised position.
2. Overall Height is measured from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part of the vessel.
3. Beam is measured as the widest point of the Boat including anything attached to the vessel.
Choosing The Right Marina For Your Boat Transport
Here are some basic questions to ask when choosing a marina for your Boat:
1. Do they have a travel lift or fork lift to load or offload your Boat?
2. Can they shrink wrap your Boat for transport if necessary? - We do NOT recommend shrink
wrap for your Boat !!!
3. Do they have a service bay for disassembly or reassembly of the radar arch or fly bridge?
4. Can they assist with the preparation of the Boat for transport?
How To Prepare Your Boat For A Safe Transport
This Boat preparation guide will assist you in properly preparing your Boat for a safe Boat Transport.
Please make every effort to prep the Boat according to these guidelines. Oversee the preparation yourself or have a qualified Boat yard do so:
1. The Boat Transporter cannot be responsible to damage due to improper preparation or loading by the shipper.
2. If Boat is not properly prepared for shipment, Boat will be transported "as is" and carrier will not accept responsibility for any resulting damage.
3. The legal height for transporting over the road is 13'6".
4. Please choose a marina with at least 14' overhead clearance, with no low tree branches or wires on its approach.
5. Remember, the larger the Boat, the higher the load, the more clearance required.
Basics
1. Stow all loose gear and secure. All gear stored below must be well secured. The Boat
transporter will not accept responsibility for damage caused by loose gear. Lock the cabin. YOU keep the key. Boats cannot be shipped with fuel or water in tanks. Drain fuel and water tanks to a minimum of full. Remove any drain plugs from the hull. There should not be any water in the bilge while it is being transported. During winter months, water should be drained from water systems, pumps, air conditioners, etc.
2. Disconnect batteries and secure. Remove anchors from the deck.
3. Wooden Boats can be expected to dry out. A coat of linseed oil will help. Please expect normal road dirt on the Boat.
Canvas Covers / Shrink Wrap
Canvas covers must be removed as they will tear or fly off during transport. If they are not removed, the carrier cannot be responsible for damages. The carrier will ship shrink-wrapped Boats; however the shrink wrap may tear or fly off in transit. The carriers do carry extra shrink wrap tape and every effort will be made to repair the shrink wrap, however, if the shrink wrap becomes un-repairable, it will be removed to avoid damage from the shrink wrap beating against the Boat. The carrier will not be held responsible. In some cases, you may be charged for the Boat Transporter's time to remove the shrink wrap.
Cradles / Trailers
If your Boat has its own cradle please inspect it carefully for loose bolts or weakness of any kind. If your cradle breaks in transit, causing damage to your Boat, the carrier cannot accept responsibility. If you are shipping your Boat on its own trailer, the carrier cannot accept responsibility should the rollers or frame cause damage, or if the trailer breaks apart, causing damage.
Dinghies
If you are shipping a dinghy on board or if you have had to remove any superstructure, these items should be well padded. DO NOT leave dinghy on davits.
External Accessories
All electronics, radar, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc., must be removed, packed securely and securely stored below. The carrier will not be responsible if they are damaged or if they vibrate off.
Hatches
Tie and/or tape hatches from the outside. The Boat Transporter cannot be responsible for the damage they may cause if the hatches blow off in transit, or for damage to the Boat caused by rain water if a hatch blows off.
If the hatches leak, seal them. A Boat will not sit in the same position on the carrier's trailer as it does in the water and the carrier cannot be responsible for rain water entering through a leaky hatch or deck.
Windows / Windshields
Cabin windows should be latched and taped from the outside.
All windshields and/or Plexiglas that protrude over the flying bridge
should be removed, packed with a cargo blanket and should be well secured below. The carrier will not be responsible for any damage that occurs if they are not removed and properly packed and secured.
Additional Instructions For Sail Boat Transport
All rigging, winches, wind indicators, and lights must be removed from the
mast. Carpet should be provided for the mast at the points of tie down. Expect some
chafing at these points. If the mast is painted, it is almost impossible to keep the paint from chafing. The carrier will not pay to repaint masts if chafing occurs. Do not secure the mast to the Boat, as there is a space on the carriers trailer for the mast. Should the mast be secured to the Boat, the carrier will not be responsible for any resulting damage to the mast or the Boat.
Life lines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if they render the Boat over height, generally over 11' keel to highest point not on the carriers trailer.
On center board sailBoats, make sure the board is secured and will stay up in transit. Keel sailBoats may expect some separation where the keel joins the hull. This is not structural damage, but rather is the paint or filler cracking at the joint. Light built or racing sailBoats can expect some hull indentation from the support pads. These indentations generally disappear when the Boat is returned to the water.
Additional Instructions For Power Boat Transport
It is necessary to remove all propellers, flag masts, lights, outriggers, antennas, etc.
If your power Boat is low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, remove all lights, wheels, masts and windshields that protrude over the bridge. All Plexiglas should be removed and packed below with a cargo blanket. If your power Boat is not low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, you will have to have a cradle built for the bridge to be shipped in on the forward deck or cockpit area. Every point touching the deck or rails must be sufficiently padded. Remove all electronics and valuable items from the bridge, pack securely, and store below. If you have any questions, Please give us a call. 503.285.5216.
If You Plan To Transport Your Boat On Its Own Trailer...
Service or replace the wheel bearings. Many breakdowns occur due to neglect in this area. If the bearings have not been maintained on a strict schedule or it has been more than 6 months since they were last checked, please have this professionally done. Travel builds up tremendous heat in bearings that have not been properly maintained, easily causing their failure. Bearings exposed to salt water are especially vulnerable.
Check the tires for proper inflation pressure and be sure the tread is sufficient and that there are no cracks, bubbles or gouges in the rubber. Old tires are tired, so replace them and avoid a costly and dangerous blowout. A spare tire is required.
Check the lighting system for proper operation and make sure wires are in good condition. If repairs need to be made, have them done well in advance of the pickup date.
We cannot be responsible for your trailer if it is not in excellent condition. Please do not ask us to transport a Boat on a trailer that is not fit for travel. We cannot afford to jeopardize our safety or equipment, or your Boat. You will be responsible for any repairs, damage or problems caused by your trailer. Unnecessary breakdowns are far more costly than routine maintenance.
Customer Reviews
I thought I would send this note to tell you how both my broker and my family are so impressed with the job of transporting our Beneteau 47 from San Diego California to Annapolis Maryland with out an issue. You did what you said you would do and we are all greatly appreciative.
Sincerely,
Harry White
Good job well done Jim, you will be receiving a check in the amount of $1000.00. Please forward this to your driver. This is a tip of sorts for an excellent job you performed in transporting our 54 Hatteras Yacht from West Palm Beach Florida to Marina Del Ray California. You guys are the best.
James Bastin and family
Jim, Thanks for bailing me out of the mess I was in getting this Searay to Michigan. As you remember another Boat Transporter never showed up to get it. I guess I learned my lesson on going with the lowest bid. You really get what you pay for. Once again I appreciate you getting on this and doing such a fine job.
Kudos!!!!
Charlie Hanes
Jim Hay,
As you know you were the highest bidder on transporting my Boat from New Jersey to Florida. You were very convincing with your knowledge of moving Boats around the country. After using you I have to say it was money well spent. I appreciate your timeliness and the communication through the whole job was superb. I know our Carver was in good hands.
Thank you
Dave Wise
Jim, I lost your info on the computer, all I had to do was ask around and got your info. You are well known, that must be good for you. I need you to move my Boat back to Florida from Lake of The Ozarks again. I hope you remember me, you moved it to Florida last year and did a great job. I look forward to working with you.
Clancy Riggs
California to Florida in eight days!!!! I did not know you could use a helicopter to move a Bertram across the country!! Great job and I truly appreciate you doing exactly what you said you would do to the letter.
Joe Gaddis
You once again lived up to your reputation. Thank you for moving the Nordic Tug Trawler from Seattle Washington to Annapolis Maryland for me, and the new owners. They truly appreciated the attention to detail you used in making this happen.
Charlie Rosenwald
Jim,
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you and your staff know how pleased I am with your service. The knowledge and communication made transporting our 53 foot Ocean Alexander a snap, stress free, a real positive experience. I had no idea the logistics involved with hauling a Yacht of this size across the country, coast to coast. Florida to Washington in 9 days. You had all the answers, it could tell this was not your first rodeo.
Thanks,
George Hartline
Awesome job of Boat Transport Jim!
Thank You,
Dan Sparks
360.414.8888
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