Need a Boat Delivered - Hotshots???

[boonsur]

I don't have my new truck yet (waiting until spring).



In the meantime, I'm looking to get a 30' sailboat delivered from Texas (Dallas area) to Western Michigan (approx. 1,100 miles each way, per Mapquest). Thing is, it does not have a trailer (sits on a cradle), but I could borrow one from around here. Thus, I need to look at logistical options. Maybe I could deliver the trailer myself, or have it delivered (round trip), or find someone with a flat bed (to set the cradle/boat on), etc.



Is anybody interested in helping out? How do you typically charge? How does insurance work?



I may just wait until spring, but I'm hoping to see other alternatives.



BTW, boat weighs approx 6,500#, trailer may be a couple thousand, so total could be 9-10,000#. Boat has a fixed keel, so it will sit pretty high, but I don't think bridge clearance would be an issue (that would be established before any agreements were made).



Let me know (response or private mail)



Thanks!

 

[JoeyD]

One thing to check is total width of the trailer/ boat. There are limits on the width which would make towing it yourself a problem. I ran into this before as I was looking to move a large sailboat like yours to Florida. It was over 10ft wide and required oversized tags and could only tow during sun up hours. The guy ended up hiring it out at almost 8 grand down and back.

 

[boonsur]

Thanks for the replies (& private messages).



It hit me, it's quite a bit more than I thought, considering I'd probably be paying for round trip (2,200 miles). And, I'm dying to get my new truck. Only thing that could make it better is a planned road-trip, to haul a load. We'll see how it shakes out.

 

[Extreme1]

Sail it home next summer!

 

[boonsur]

Don't be silly!

Don't even think for a second we haven't considered that..... stupid jobs..... stupid jobs..... stupid jobs... ...

 

[illflem]

I'll sail it to you for free.

Which way takes longer up the Mississippi or up the coast though the Great Lakes?

 

[Okie-Go]

Too bad my gooseneck is just 20 ft. Sounds like a good road trip for when school is out this Spring.

 

[bighammer]

Not sure what your beam or draft is, but I haul a Hunter 25' (in its cradle) on a 20' flatbed tag. My beam is 8' so the width is no problem. Total height is just over 13' though. A true boat trailer would lower the height about a foot or more.

 

[bighammer]

Found a picture of my setup. Taken just after hoisting out of the water for the season. (Sure wish I had a launch trailer) Maybe it's actaully 12 feet not 13. Somehow it doesn't look THAT tall. The trailer doesn't look like 20' nor the boat 25'. I know it looks real big when you are about to get it into traffic though.



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[boonsur]

Looking at a J-92, which has a very deep, draft/high aspect keel. However, it doesn't look like the Texas boat will be the one. Also, I ordered my truck this weekend, so I should be ready to pull real soon. Oo.