Using your cruiser as a mechant ship

[peterchech]

The age of sail is over, but I have heard of cruisers using their sailboats to transport and trade cargo (mostly between isolated islands).

Hans Klaar is currently using a huge Wharram catamaran that he built to transport cargo between far flung islands in the Pacific. Webb Chiles interviewed him, and the subject came up briefly. The interview is on Webb Chiles' site, inthepresentsea.com.

Dudley Dix offers plans for a steel cargo sailing ship capable of transporting 25 tons under sail. Cargo 50 steel multi-chine cargo yacht

Here's a short article on sailing ship transport competing with diesel tankers:
Green Cargo - The Revival of the Sailing Freighter | YachtPals.com

And some giant tankers are slowing down to 12 knots to cut down on fuel and emissions Modern cargo ships slow to the speed of the sailing clippers | Environment | The Observer

I don't think it is too wise to try and compete with modern tankers, but niche markets such as small islands seem to have potential for this sort of trade.

Does anyone know someone who actually uses his boat to transport cargo for profit? What types of goods are transported? Is a transportation fee arranged for, or do these ship owners simply buy the cargo in one country and then sell it in another at a profit?

[DRFerron]

Looks like an interesting and fun way to keep the kitty stocked.

Most of those in your examples aren't cruisers using their own cruising boat but people who built a boat specifically to move cargo. That's somewhat different in my mind.

[LandLocked66c]

Looks like too much WORK!

[dabnis]

There was a thread here some time ago about a couple with a fairly large cruising sailboat transporting large bags of coffee beans or something somewhere in the Caribbean areas? I think it was damaged or sunk? Maybe a search would turn it up?

Dabnis

[bljones]

Originally Posted by dabnis

There was a thread here some time ago about a couple with a fairly large cruising sailboat transporting large bags of coffee beans or something somewhere in the Caribbean areas? I think it was damaged or sunk? Maybe a search would turn it up?

Dabnis

A search might turn it up, but who cares? The coffee is probably too soaked to grind now.

[casey1999]

A friend used his 85 foot boat as a transport between the cook islands (had a government contract) for several months then moved on to other types of chartering. With the cost of shipping going up you might be able to make somthing work. The cost of shipping between HI and the mainland US now is usally about the cost of what you are ordering. I buy a lot of boat and car parts on-line but when the shipping costs comes up, it is equal to what I am buying so I cancel. The problem is a lot of shippers will only use air frieght to a lot of locations and those cost are outragous (go on the fed ex web site and do some shipping calculations). Even the US postal service rates are high. I think the problems you may run into are meeting the legal shipping requirements and getting insurance for you cargo. Even a good trade route at best you will probably only cover your operating costs, and that does not cover the initial boat costs. Also, friend who did the cook island route had an 85 foot motorsail with a huge hatch and loads of cargo capacity.

Read this article and go to the transport item towards the end.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/island-territories/2

Must be hard to make money if government needs to subsidize.

[DRFerron]

Insurance companies have to love this.

[casey1999]

Originally Posted by dabnis

There was a thread here some time ago about a couple with a fairly large cruising sailboat transporting large bags of coffee beans or something somewhere in the Caribbean areas? I think it was damaged or sunk? Maybe a search would turn it up?

Dabnis

The question is what was in the middle of those large bags of coffee?

[LandLocked66c]

Originally Posted by bljones

A search might turn it up, but who cares? The coffee is probably too soaked to grind now.

BL, your glass is always half empty... Jeez!

[CapnBilll]

Originally Posted by casey1999

The question is what was in the middle of those large bags of coffee?

That would be a major problem with any shipping for hire. No matter how legitimate you were, expect to spend a lot of time in customs, and being searched. The list of regulations to go into or out of any major country like the US with cargo, would literally not fit aboard your ship.

Even once you paid all the taxes and permit fees, and luckily managed not to annoy the longshoremans union. Expect every official to pick through each item with a fine tooth comb.

And a major risk is for one of your customers to slip something illegal into your hold.

Between two isolated third world countries, it may be possible to make some sort of deal for supply runs, or bring a few extra big ticket duty free items from the home country to where they are not available.

Not a bad idea to advertise to someone that may be needing a few engine parts to ferry for a fee from mainland, (you can't charge too much though or they might as well mail it).