BOAT DELIVERY OPTIONS
There are a few ways to get the boat to your location.
1. Boat Transport Companies, are insured and experienced, and
save you the time, trouble, and risk of moving a boat yourself. ProjectBoats.net provides links to some of them in the right hand column of this page. The services of the companies on this page pay a nominal fee to be listed here, and their services are not guaranteed in any way by ProjectBoats.net. We recommend you check to make sure they are properly licensed and insured, and ask for and check with some of their recent customers. You can also locate boat transport companies by searching for: boat transport with the search engine of your choice, or contact marinas in your area. Keep in mind the expiration of the grace period for storage after the auction, and contract with the transport company make sure they can move you in time.
2. Trailer Rental is another option if you own or have access to a vehicle strong enough to pull the boat and trailer. Take into consideration the wear and tear on the vehicle, the fuel and oil costs, lodging if needed, and the cost of your time to go to and return with the boat. You might be better off taking on some extra side work instead and use that money to hire a boat transport company.
3. Purchase a Trailer for the boat. Sometimes the
trailer the boat is on can be purchased for a reasonable price. New trailers can also be
purchased in most locations. Check the local shopper-guide paper for an occasional good deal on a used trailer, or the yellow pages for boat dealers and other companies selling boat trailers.
4. Borrowing a Trailer and/or Towing Vehicle might be an option, if you have a
good friend with the right size trailer and/or don't have a far distance to go. If you will be
keeping the boat in the water, or in an in-out storage facility then buying a trailer just to
get the boat home is an expensive way to go. However, you could sell the trailer once you do
get home. If you do borrow a trailer and/or vehicle be considerate of the heavy strain, wear
and tear that a longer trip will produce, as well as the risk of a more expensive breakdown, and be
understanding of the reluctance of a good friend or relative to lend it to you even if they are
very close to you. Sometimes the excitement of purchasing a boat clouds us from seeing that we
may be asking for too much, and it isn't worth appearing inconsiderate and damaging a relationship. Using someone that isn't insured for boat transport risks not being able to recoup damages if they do occur. It is a risk you take, not the uninsured person you use/hire, so check with their insurance company and yours to see what your financial and liability risk is.
If you do decide to move it yourself . . . also consider the risk of having mechanical problems and take proper precautions to minimize the chance of this happening. Make sure your vehicle is checked by your mechanic and can handle the load safely, and make sure the trailer is also in good shape and will go the distance. This applies to rental trailers as well. Before you leave make sure the trailer tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals all function properly. Inspect for burned out bulbs, bad grounding of the light fixture, and weak or cut wiring. Check the tires, bearings, brakes if any, springs, safety chains, trailer jack, trailer-hitch coupler and all other parts and beams that may visually appear strong, but may bend or break with the weight of the boat. Older trailers in particular should be carefully checked, and weight tested with a similar weight boat beforehand.
Also make sure the size of the hitch ball is matched properly with the trailer coupler. The larger the
trailer and load it is designed for, the larger the hitch ball it will require. A ball of even one size too small can disengage the trailer with a bump in the road and may even send the trailer off in it's own direction if the safety chains don't hold. (I've seen it happen!) Keep in mind that UHaul, Ryder, and other moving truck rental companies have small balls welded onto their hitches that won't securely hold larger trailers. As many of you experienced boaters know, a strong safe trailer and adequately strong tow vehicle, will save you time, money, headaches, and maybe even lives.
Moving the boat yourself may not be the best method for you, or it could be a great opportunity to take a trip and make it part of a vacation, then pick up and return with the boat. (I don't know if your wife will buy that, but it's worth a shot!) If you really want the boat you can find a safe and affordable way to transport it. Hopefully your winning bid will result in a great deal that will make transporting the boat affordable.
