So we had this crazy idea of wanting to sail to the Bahamas. This idea included towing the boat from Oregon to Florida. The we realized that driving cross country would take about two weeks of just sitting in the car leaving us with only four weeks in paradise.
So. Now we are thinking why not just ship the boat? It fits into a standard container, right? That way we fly across our fair country in a few hours and the boat will be waiting for us (fully stocked) when we arrive. All we have to do is rent a U-Haul truck and tow it down to the nearest ramp.
Has anyone done this before? Any recommendations on shipping companies? Or is this just a plain ol' crazy idea?
Thanks for your input!
The last time I drove from Wa state it took me 49 hours to North Carolina and then it would take another 8 to 10 hours to Miami. Yea ship it may be the cheepest and safe way with all that extra gas not counting winter weather. Don,t you need to remove the mast before shipping in a container?
I have no experience, but I believe to fit in the container the wheels and maybe the axles need to be removed. A lot of hassle but if it saves you 2 weeks, maybe an idea.
I am thinking I have read other posts...maybe on other sailing sites...where folks hired a shipping company to load the boat and trailer on a big flat bed. I know I have seen bigger sailboats craned onto flat beds with stands set up.
You **COULD** buy a boat in Florida from a "careful owner..."
then fly there and sail it.... the sell the boat when done - or keep it there... do it again....
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you could also join one of the associations that trade off boat time - or allow you to sail boats on a scheduled rented time slot....
or arrange to rent the boat when you get to your destination - and save a lot more time...
or find someone in a sailing club - that is open to time tradeoffs....
or find someone to drive your vehicle and boat to Florida - then fly and meet them there...
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when you get the quote for containers - and know the full hassle of doing this... these options would be worth considering...
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by buying... I mean exactly that....
write an agreement.. buy the boat... insure and load up .... go sailing ---- come back - and "return" the boat to the previous owner - minus a fee... you know - one of those tax happy strategies....
Thanks! All very interesting ideas. We were thinking that since Mac dealers ship new boats all over the country to their clients that this would not be such a big deal. Has anyone gotten their new boat shipped to them? Do you know how it was shipped to you? The mac site talks about shipping two macs in one 48' container. Maybe someone else from around here wants to go to Florida?? http://www.macgregor26.com/shipping/shipping.htm
I'm not sure what shipping costs might be, but I'm thinking they would be substantial, in addition to the cost of airfare plus vehicle rental for launch and retrieval. We trailered to the east coast and back this past September. Total distance, one way, was just over 2000 miles from central Washington to Patuxent River MD on Chesapeake Bay. Fuel cost was around $500 each way, and we were able to use the boat as a camper, which saved a lot in terms of food and lodging costs. The drive east took 6 days, and we could have made it in 5 without too much difficulty. Of course, I do enjoy a good road trip.
