A question for the big rig drivers on here

[alexpops]

I know there are several on this site.

I need a big sailboat transported cross country, CA to FL. 44'x12.5'xprobably12' weighs about 28-30k and has a mast 60' that will also need to come over. I assume this requires a lowboy or specialty hydraulic split rig trailer.

What is a fair price I should expect, and will the height require pilot cars? Height may be off, been a long time since she's been on the hard. I expect the width may also cause some permit issues.

What would trailer rental cost me if I need to leave the boat on it until I can get a shop built?

Any insights, warnings, things to watch for will be appreciated.

Not sure if this is the right spot for this ... mods feel free to move if necessary.

Also, while the question isn't about a tractor, a tractor WILL be used to help in the shop build.

 

[Topzide]

Not a driver but do know for sure you'll be an oversized load on width. The height will be awful close to needing pilot cars. There are a few over the road drivers on here. May take a day or two to chime in.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Also, while the question isn't about a tractor, a tractor WILL be used to help in the shop build.

And a tractor will be needed to pull the trailer.

 

[4570Man]

It’s going to be a substantial amount. I’d be seriously surprised if it’s any cheaper than $10 a mile. Is sailing the boat there out of the question?

 

[sandman2234]

I don't haul much, just a dry van, so anything I say about it is going to be a guess. Short of sailing the boat thru the Panama Canal, which in itself won't be cheap (but a lot more fun!) I would seriously consider putting the boat up for sale and buying another one when I got the shop built. California would seem to be the better market for the boat, due to how much things cost out there, and Florida would be a better place to buy a similar boat. Plus you would probably have over $25k and maybe even up to $35k to add to the selling price to buy a new boat in Florida.
Somethings aren't for sale, so if you got to do it, you're going to need options.
There are dedicated boat haulers out there, wiggle googles chains and start price checking.
You're going to need a serious trailer. Most of the ones I see in passing may not have the ability to handle that big a boat that high off the roadway, unless it happens to have a removable keel. (doubtful, although I knew a guy who cut his keel off since the boat had worms in the bottom of it anyway. That made hauling it lower a lot easier.
I can't imagine having to figure out a route from one side of this country to the other while dealing with over width, over height and over length (you did say the mask was 60'?) It will probably have to be laid down across the boat due to the over width, but that means you got to have supports to handle the cantilever. I am wondering if buying, renting or borrowing a long trailer (or what I call a pole trailer where the rear wheels are way back there and all is going up front is a piece of pipe, hooked to a pickup to haul the mask. A hotshot with a 53 or 45 foot trailer might haul the mast cheaper than you could add it to the trailer with the boat. If you don't mind buying a long trailer, you might do well to put it behind your pickup and make the drive with it yourself. Sell said trailer when you get done with it. As far as the trailer for the boat, call some of the dedicated boat haulers, but with fuel over $5-6.50 a gallon, that ride isn't going to be cheap.
Make sure that you see the hauler's insurance or talk to their insurance company. You don't want something to happen and you end up with a broken boat. Might also want to double check your boats insurance to make sure it is covered while being transported.
Escorts may have to be hired to cover front and rear, plus how many states will the escorts cover? A lot of times, they are only good to the state line, and you have a bunch of those between you and Florida!
I generally look for ways that "I" can haul stuff, but with this one, I would be stretching it to say it was anywhere near my wheelhouse!
David from jax

 

[California]

That's pretty big to ship across many states by truck. Could via railroad work out? Maybe a sailboat broker has experience with that.

But I like the Panama Canal option!

 

[not2old]

If the Panama canal doesn't work, how about overland to the Gulf of Mexico/America and sail it from there? It would be a lot shorter trip on a trailer.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I too am just a dry van driver, my understanding is anything over 8'6" wide is oversized, and most states require an escort/pilot if over 10'6" wide ...

I know there are a few specialized boat/yacht haulers out Florida ... That's who I'd call for a quote ... Your boat is probably gonna be in the 15'+ high range once they get a trailer under it, so will require special routing around some low bridges ... "It's only money" comes to mind!

I'd be curious what the quote comes out to be, including what the escort/pilot cost ...

 

[mikester]

 

[alexpops]

Thanks for the responses so far. Keep them coming. I'm also looking at the possibility of multi-modal (via ship to Port Everglades or JAX then at least a shorter road run on 95 to NSB).

Of course ... this reminds me of the line from the Hee Haw song ... "if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all". Naturally, I get hit with a request by the marina to move the boat at a time when fuel prices are spiking & I can't get to CA to find local storage spaces where they have the equipment to get her out of the water & on the hard.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Out of curiosity, what convinced you to buy a boat so far away, without figuring this all out before you actually agreed to purchase it ?

 

[alexpops]

I've owned the boat for close to 30 years. Used to sail her regularly all the time. Bought a place in FL about 10 years ago with the idea that wife & I would sail her here once I retired. Wife got sick & I have little time to get to CA since she needs someone with her 24/7. So, marina wants me to move so they can bring in higher berth rental. Current plan is to store on the hard close to me & refit the boat slowly so when wife is gone I can still sail away.

If this was simply a coastal cruiser I'd say the hell with it & sell or donate ... but this is a true blue water boat & if I sell, I'll never get back into anything comparable.