shipping charges

[dreamer*65]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to have my R-27, on its own trailer, shipped from Kent, WA to Marquette, MI. The distance is right around 2,000 miles according to Google. Any ideas on what that will cost me using a legit and insured shipper? I've heard around $3,500. If so, seems like it might be much cheaper to fly out, rent a truck and haul it back myself?

Thanks.

 

[stwendl]

If you do a bit of ball park figuring just what it costs on fuel you can get an idea what it's worth to you. A simple assumption would be that you get 10mpg. So you spend 200g of diesel at an average price of perhaps 2.50 to 3 bucks per gallon. Add the rental and flying out. Food for the trip etc, assuming you stay on the boat over nights at free locations and estimate your loss of income during the time of travel if you have any

Most companies reimburse people for trips at $.50 per mile. A freelance driver might charge $1 to $1.50 per mile to cover expenses, prorated insurance and other expenses plus profit

You get the idea playing the numbers like that

 

[HappyPlace]

We had our R31 CB delivered from South Carolina to Maryland last year. The boat did not have its own trailer, so it was placed on a special low boy semi trailer. We were very pleased with the service. It cost us about $5.00 per mile.(615 miles) That included everything, gas, permits, insurance, time, etc. (http://candjtransport.com) Our boat was a bit larger than yours, so I'm not sure if the per mile rate changes accordingly. It arrived in the same great condition that it left with. Thats what matters!

Good luck,

Al Sr.

 

[Champ]

We had our R-23 shipped from the factory to NY, no trailer for I believe $4000. Ranger Tugs set it up for us. Could not imagine doing it any other way. Worth every dollar.

 

[Newshoes]

I recently inquired about transport for a 21' boat from NY to MD. 310 Miles one way. I was quoted $2.50 per mile based on a 620 mile round trip, or $1500+/-. A little expensive I thought. I figured the tow vehicle would average 10 mpg on fuel at $3.00 per gallon max. Or about 60 gallons overall . Say $200 maximum on fuel. 6 hours drive time each way 1 hour for hook up ( boat was already on my trailer and ready to roll!) 13 hours of time portal to portal. So basically $100 per hour for the driver! Not an overly taxing drive. I took my own SUV which got 23 mpg empty and 12 mpg towing cost me around $150 in fuel and took just over 12 hours. Even using IRS mileage reimbursement at $0.60 per mile I came out ahead.

However if it turns out to be a multi day drive it may be more economical to 'pay the freight" for someone else to deliver.

Just depends on how much wheel time and road hazard exposure you are willing to gamble on.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

If you add up a airline flight of say $500, plus $600 in fuel, 5 days at RV parks at $250 you are at $1,350 before a rental truck. Check with Enterprise, Budget, etc to inquire about renting a 3/4 ton, diesel and don't forget to mention you'll be trailering a boat and that it will be one way. When you have that figure added to the $1,350 you'll get an idea how close you'll be to the $3500 you mentioned. My guess is the one way truck rental will cost over $1,000.00 but I'd like to know what you find out. If your expected expenses come in at $2500 you then only need to decide if it is worth the difference and 5 or 6 days of time and the savings of $1,000 for the adventure. I didn't factor in food as you'd have to eat whether you make this trip or stay home. Let us know what you find out about the expense of renting a truck vs hiring a firm to do the job for you.

Jim F

 

[tugnnaweigh]

I've used uShip several times to relocate boats and trailers, the more you keep your scheduling parameters flexible the lower the bids seem to come in. Someone here mentioned paying for a "round trip"; the premise of uShip is, I believe, finding something that needs to go somewhere from the location you've just brought something so you're always taking something somewhere and customers are charged for only the actual towing miles for the delivery of their item. Any quotes you receive below $1.50 a mile would be a good value.

The lowest charge per mile I've paid so far was $.75 a mile for a unloaded three axle boat trailer moved within the state I live in. That driver told me he just looks for lightweight tows that coincide with the "direction he's going anyway" to help mitigate his costs overall.

I don't believe you can rent a truck that's already equipped for towing, rental company's don't order their vehicles with hitches which is what you would need as this load far exceeds the parameters of a bumper mounted ball.

 

[dreamer*65]

Thanks Tugnuts for your replies.

After my initial shipping sticker shock, and your replies, I finally realized that my boat is finally coming--in about a month! And it will be parked at our local marine shop less than a mile from my house, and be sitting on its trailer near the shore of lake Superior! And it will be launched around May 1! And I further realized that when the trailer is unhitched from the delivery truck I can remove the shrink-wrap, climb aboard, have a toast, and stop dreaming and start planning!

And with all that, the shipping $ became a non-issue.
Thanks!!