boat in a box

daa1111 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009

Hi everyone,
I'm an America living in Taiwan. I've been here for five years.
In that time, I've searched all of Southeast Asia, but there are very few sailboats available here. I used to live on a boat in NJ, and miss sailing a lot.
I'm looking for an ocean-capable boat (yes, I know the definition of ocean-capable is widely open to interpretation--but you know what I mean) that I can ship here in a standard size shipping container (39'5" l x 7'8" w x 7'6" h) or high cube (39'5" l x 7'8" w x 8'5" h). Shipping any other way is far too expensive. A container would cost about $5,000 USD from the US.
I know about containeryachts.com and I know there is one other 39' boat (the name escapes me), but these are larger than I want and too expensive.
I'm looking for something like a Contessa 26, but I think that is just an inch or two too high and so won't fit.
Does anyone have any idea about a boat that could be shipped this way? Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm coming to think that a boat that can be shipped this way just doesn't exist.
Thanks,
David

AllThumbs · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009

The 7'8" width seems to be a big problem. My 20' boat is 7' wide.

Eric

Boasun · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009

There is a company that is building container size sailboats. Read about them about a year ago. The boat is partially disassembled and inserted in a container. A tight fit but it does fit.

Thaiboat · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009

I know of a 36' yacht here in Asia that will go into a high cube container. It is a day sailer which performs quite well. Not sure of the price but I could inquire.
Jeff.

bobmcgov · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boasun

There is a company that is building container size sailboats. Read about them about a year ago. The boat is partially disassembled and inserted in a container. A tight fit but it does fit.

Flying Tiger 10. Not an ocean-going boat, tho.

Lots of inexpensive ocean-rated boats lying semi-abandoned in Hawaii. You could pay some adventure-seeking youngster a couple grand + return airfare to deliver one to you. Or fly there and sail home....

daa1111 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009

A little update:
I just got a few prices to ship a Cape Dory 25D (I don't own it; it was an example) from Baltimore to Taiwan via ro-ro--touted as being one of the cheaper methods of shipping boats: around $15,000 USD. Three times that of a container.
I also found that a Seafarer 25 is barely possible. It's overall height has much room to spare, but its beam is 7'7". That allows only a half inch on either side. Probably not workable. And even though the manufacturers describe the Seafarer as ocean-capable, I have no reference to anyone actually sailing one.
I also have read that shipping a boat via flat-rack (basically an open platform with two ends) can allow a slightly larger boat. If so, this would open it up to many boats with an 8 foot beam. Problem solved. However, I have also read that the cargo limit for a flat rack is the same as for a box. Contradiction. Still need to investigate further.
David

Thaiboat · #7 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009

If you want pics of the boat here in Asia please let me know. I have seen one fitted in to a container....tight fit but it goes.
Jeff.

daa1111 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009

Thanks Jeff, but I'm not looking for a day sailer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaiboat

If you want pics of the boat here in Asia please let me know. I have seen one fitted in to a container....tight fit but it goes.
Jeff.

Thaiboat · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009

Here is a link to the pics for anyone interested.

Jeff.

Thaiboat · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009

Picasa Web Albums - jeptong - 36' sailboat