trucking a boat up from Mexico

janders · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

Hey all,

We're looking at buying a 40' boat down in San Carlos, MX and having it trucked up to sunny Seattle. Has anyone gone through this experience? As we understand it, you have to switch trucks once in Tucson from a MX truck to a US truck. We're not clear about how insurance works, particularly while our really expensive baby is 12 feet in the air during the transfer.

Any advice from someone who's been there, done that would be huge. Thanks!

Jason

Stillraining · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

I will never truck a boat again if there is a water route around...Thats all I have to say on the mater..

davidpm · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

I will never truck a boat again if there is a water route around...Thats all I have to say on the mater..

Sounds like a good story. Why?

badsanta · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

Water is the way to go as a thousand miles on the road is hard on a boat.
I had mine moved with only minor breakage that was my fault. I placed an online request and got 6 bids. The guy I chose sent me his photo, driving record and proof of insurance and references that checked out. He then explained to me his route of travel his time table and stops. I left and when I was finishing up lunch I saw him drive by, so I followed him all day. Drove properly and within a reasonable speed. Very professional and very happy. The others were higher and one lower in price but gave me no info and hedged when I asked. This guy was up front with everything. I don’t know how it works with switching movers. I would do a title search on the boat. Any mechanics lean or other go with the boat and not the owner. So if you take over the responsibility of a boat you take over responsibility of the debt. I don’t know how that works from another country, but maybe he left the USA to go to MX and when you get back you may owe someone. Check first imoho.

cpa2 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

i shipped a boat over 1200 miles and did not have a problem that was related to the actual hull/deck/keel. But, the mast did get damaged during the trip. I made the mistake of being out of town when the boat was loaded. The mast was not supported properly on the trailer and was damaged. I would ship my boat again if i had to. But, i would be in absolute control over the packing or the spar and would over see the whole operation from start to finish.

Edit:
I would also choose a respected company that has been in the business of yacht transport for many years. Find out who moves the boats for the quality yacht manufacturers.

xort · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

It took me a solid 3 days to prep my boat for trucking. I could not be there for the actual load. the trucker did sailboat shipping all the time. He still managed to put a few pretty good scratches in the mast. But the real problem was with his tractor. He was putting out soot from the diesel exhaust like crazy and it all went on my boat. all over the hull & deck. I would consider shrink wrapping down to the waterline to protect from this and all other dirt & grime

Can't help on the border crossing but you can bet it will have hangups!

Dmarina · #7 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008

Contact "Cal Western Boat Movers" and Bob Freyberg, Jr. can give you all the information you need regarding the move. The Phone is: 619-296-9167 or Fax: 619-593-9836. Good Luck.

janders · #8 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008

Thanks for the help, y'all!

sanjuan2R · #9 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008

Why not hire a boat capt. to sail the boat up the Western coast to Seattle? If you could not sail it yourself, due to time commitments, hire it done. It would be cheaper and safer to sail it than to haul it - and with less hassle at the border. There are numerous boat captains in the Puget Sound vicinity at very reasonable rates. Look into it and see for yourself.

Astoria
S/V Doodles
C&C 27