Moving boat across country

W

Wannabee

New member
We've been looking around for a modestly priced used boat. After visiting Lankford Bay last night, (thank you to all for the warm welcome), and to Charlie for the grand tour of boats present, we think an older 22 will be the way to go. Most of the ones we've seen that would fit the budget are on the west coast, and we are in Maryland.

Shipping across country - advice on companies, costs, other considerations? Trailering is an option, too, of course.

Open to advice,
Marianne & Doyle
 
Hi Marianne and Doyle,

If you aren't going to pick the boat up, there are "drive away" companies that might be able to do something for you. These are the folks who deliver RVs, so you might ask if there is someone making a 5th wheel or travel trailer delivery that would be coming back east empty. There are also the usual trucking companies... a 22 on a flat bed wouldn't necessarily have to be dedicated boat haulers. Last price I heard being tossed around was $2-$3 per mile.

Assuming you will want to inspect any good prospect, towing it home is a great option (if you have the time). It would give you the chance to see how the boat fits you as a "land camper"... maybe even take the time to explore any fun water along the way.

Good luck with your search!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
If you can get it "piggy backed" on a trailer with another one or two, the price drops rapidly. The boat moving business is thriving in the PNW, so should not be hard to find a carrier.

My TomCat shared a semi-trailer - we waited for one coming by this way - so was under $1.50 per mile.... about $2500 total. One nice thing about buying one already in the Seattle , Puget Sound, San Juan area is that you could fly up there and cruise around a few weeks to a month before shipping it or towing it to the East Coast. I had a great Christmas cruise in the San Juans by having the boat at Port of Edmonds initially.

If you have the time to cruise lakes across the country, that's a nice vacation, but otherwise, considering your time, fuel and vehicle mileage, it is difficult to beat towing fees on a shared trailer. btw, it's easier to piggy back a CD 22 than it is a TC 255.

John
 
Thank you for the responses. This allowed us to come up with a ball park estimate, which is just what we were ready for. The final sorting out will be done when the right boat comes along.

Ahhh ... wouldn't it be lovely to have the time to explore the PNW? Maybe in a few years when the kids are launched! Sigh...

Marianne & Doyle
 
Hey guys... well I forgot that it's about 2200 miles from Seattle, WA to Monkey Island, OK, so my TomCat shipping charges were just a bit over $1 per mile! That's pretty good nowadays.

John
 
If you have the time and adequate tow rig, it could be a nice little "vacation" of sorts. We towed ours from Lake Tahoe to Alabama...stayed in KOA campgrounds along the way...she's a boaterhome!

Rick
 
I bought my 22' C-Dory new in 1990 outside San Francisco. In 1995 I towed it to Lexington Park, Maryland behind my full sized GMC pickup. Before I left I had new tires put on the trailer, a spare added, brakes and wheel bearings checked. It was an easy tow but long. In 2001 I towed the same boat and trailer from Maryland to Maine. Before I left I had the trailer brakes and wheel bearings replaced. When I arrived in Maine I decovered my port side trailer brake wheel was loose. I was lucky the wheel didn't come off on the road. When towing I always made it a point to stop periodically and check everything but I missed this wheel, it looked ok.

In my case I knew the trailers history and how it was used, saltwater etc.. If I were you, I'd shop around locally for a used C-Dory. I've watched this website and seen C-Dory's for sale along the east coast. It's a much shorter tow but always check them out good first.

Good luck,

Dick
 
It might be a good idea to let some of your East coast C-Dory dealers know you are looking for a used C-Dory. Many C-Dory ppl are considering changing models, or going for a C-Ranger, etc.. You'd probably get a well cared for boat out of a deal like that, and maybe save some since the trade in value of anything is usually less than it's market value.

John
 
It seems as if I always buy a boat some distance from where I live. First you want to be sure that the C Dory you buy has an adequate trailer. Dual axel is best for a road trailer, but slightly heavier than a single axel.

You want to know the condition of the trailer and the boat. I would not finalize any deal on a boat without seeing it first.

My experience in C Dory trucking of a Tom Cat was about the same as Drjohns--$1 a mile. But that is regular route, two boats on a flat bed. I would figure closer to 2.50 to $3.00 a mile, if you have to pay for a person to tow on a trailer or on their trailer.

Agree that any of the C Dories make good "campers" enroute. I find that towing I get about half the mileage that I do when not towing, exception is my RV--it is 8 miles a gallon towing or not. The Excursion desisel gets about 20 to 21 miles a gallon when just towing a trailer, no boat. With the boat, I get 10 to 12 miles a gallon when towing the CD 25. The Honda Pilot gets about 24 miles a gallon on the road, 12 miles a gallon towing the CD 22.
 
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