About how much to move a boat ???

jarcher · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2009

Hi everyone, I'm just looking for a very rough idea of what it would cost to move a 30 foot sailboat by truck from Rhode Island to Maine? I put in for some quotes but I was wondering is anyone has an approximate idea of what I should expect?

Thanks...

Selkirk · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2009

5$ per mile is usually the rate. You may be able to do better, maybe not.

It's expensive. The problem is, truckers have to run a LOT of unloaded -and unpaid - miles to get to your boat and then to the next one. And a LOT of truckers have gone out of business lately.

jarcher · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009

The best quote I got was about $1,900 to move it 225 miles from RI to ME... I guess I'll look at sailing it up and getting a short move inland, but it looks as if this is not going to happen. Oh well...

bubb2 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarcher

The best quote I got was about $1,900 to move it 225 miles from RI to ME... I guess I'll look at sailing it up and getting a short move inland, but it looks as if this is not going to happen. Oh well...

You could hire me to move it for you. 40 years sailing experience. 15 years delivery experience. USCG 100 ton Masters License.

Selkirk · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009

I hope he hires you and hope he goes with you, too.

The whole boat moving thing just sorta takes your breath away, don't it?

That's why the Cape Dory 25D for me. I can pack it up on its trailer, hook up the 1-ton pickup and take her wherever I want her. Or get her out of the way of a hurricane. Or whatever.

sck5 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009

i moved my Caliber 33 from a reservoir lake in Tennessee to the Chesapeake. it was expensive but worth it to get a fresh water boat. Also, it isnt quite as expensive as it looks if you take advantage of the mast being down to do all those things you ought to do every decade or so and which are much easier when the mast is down (e.g. do you need new standing rigging? want a new LED anchor light? want new halyards? etc. - this is the time to do it)

but if I were moving it from RI to Maine I would try hard to sail it there - what a fun trip! I would do that anyway, just for fun.

MacGyverRI · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009

Did you try this website?
Cheap Boat Transport! Find Boat Shipping & Hauling Companies & Save!

You list zip codes and they bid.

Root · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009

$1900 - Holy Cow! $3 per loaded mile is about as low as they go, but you should be able to find someone to do it for about that, especially if they have something to use for a backhaul (which can come if you give them a bit of freedom about the schedule). OTOH, it would be fun to take it north on it's bottom. I did that a few years ago from Westerly to Casco Bay. We anchored up in Plymouth just at dusk because I did not want to pass Boston Harbor in the dark. Otherwise we sailed around the clock. We made remarkably good time because we had strong winds and we were running or reaching the whole time. This time of year, good weather cannot be taken for granted.

RobGallagher · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009

Shop around and tell them you are not on a tight schedule. In fact, tell them they can pick the date to haul your boat (within reason, of course).

Last year I got quotes from 5000+ to as low as 1500 bucks from Mystic, CT to Tampa, Fl.

If the truck owner can schedule a return trip with another boat the price goes way down.

snider · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009

Through u-ship I got a boat moved from Lauderdale to Charleston SC for $1,100. Its about 500 miles I think. It ended up being around 2 thou after marina fees. Next time I would definetly sail her back on her own bottom.