Need a trailer for 30' foot sailboat.

[Ted Hoppe]

Want to rent or buy a decent trailer for one of my 30' 8800 lbs fin keel sailboats. Ideally to move boat across country this spring to do east coast cruising and more. Modest budget, big plans. It very well may save this lovely boat from being crushed. Boat is located in Alameda, CA. Will drive to pick up and pay/repair upgrade as needed.

Open to suggestions.

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[spirit]

What does it cost to have a boat like this moved across the country by a commercial boat mover?

[Ted Hoppe]

What does it cost to have a boat like this moved across the country by a commercial boat mover?

more than 10k on a lowboy. Another 3k for everything else.

[stromborg]

Are you sure about the weight? There is a trailer up here on CL that might work but they say it is only good to 7000lbs.

ETA link: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rch...552678174.html

[JimConlin]

I’ve heard that boat truckers’ prices vary considerably with season and direction. If you’re flexible about timing, you can get their best price.

[bamamick]

I know that your own trailer would make things simpler, but the guy who hauled my Dragon to Buffalo (admittedly on her own trailer) used a website where different haulers actually bid on the job? Perhaps there is a similar outfit for your boat?

I have only ever had the sharpie schooner brought up here from Key West, and that wasn’t bad, about $1200, iirc. I imagine things cost more these days.

If you need any crew this summer let me know.

Mickey Lake

[Ted Hoppe]

I’ve heard that boat truckers’ prices vary considerably with season and direction. If you’re flexible about timing, you can get their best price.

There is the trick - being flexible and having timing to haul out. With fewer yards open here and more hurdles to jump - this is not easy. I can pull the boat out of the water but at 750 a month while I wait for cheap transportation window turns out that it may not be . At the other end, i will have to wait & pay the lay days. A trailer would offset it. I can stash her in a lot until I am ready to take the two weeks off to drive there and back. I can get a truck to pull the boat across country for 2.50 a mile or borrow a f250 from a friend and pull it myself.

To be sure - I have a boat that used to be worth at least 10 thousand or more dollars. To pay someone to build her again would be at least $500,000 if I could get the wood (old growth Indonesian mahogany). She is in great condition, clean, seaworthy and water tight. I can't sell her for the weight of the 5000 lbs of lead. There is no path to donation regardless of what we'd hope happen. I'd rather have a great plan than to consider the future that would be quite grim.

This is really a personal emotional situation. It has been so hard for me these past months. I brought her back from death, took her back after i sold her, put hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into her this past summer and thought i surely was going to find someone. I didn't even with a some great effort. I really want to sail a true west coast boat on the east coast and think this is the cheapest way to get her there.

[Ted Hoppe]

I know that your own trailer would make things simpler, but the guy who hauled my Dragon to Buffalo (admittedly on her own trailer) used a website where different haulers actually bid on the job? Perhaps there is a similar outfit for your boat?

I have only ever had the sharpie schooner brought up here from Key West, and that wasn’t bad, about $1200, iirc. I imagine things cost more these days.

If you need any crew this summer let me know.

Mickey Lake

Mickey - thank you for that kind offer. I would love to have company anywhere along this journey. I sure plan on sharing my wonderful boat; I know when I hand the boat over to others, she will be really together - they will love it as much as I do. We can put her in at some amazing places,

[Arlc]

Have you considered motoring her through the Panama canal?

[AndanteEd]

I have no idea about the legalities of towing in the US, so my apologies if this is irrelevant twaddle but logistics is my trade and I can't resist having a crack at this from afar...

Is it worth looking at calling around the boatyards to see if there is a suitable cradle that's looking for a new home (or could be rented), and then renting a flatbed trailer to put the boat and cradle on?

From a quick look online a 40' flatbed trailer costs about $ 500 to $ 800 per week to rent.

These guys are in Texas and appear to need a Texas driving license for rental (so much for them being called 'Nationwide'), but I attach a link as an example:

https://nationwidetrailers.com/rental/san-antonio/

Not sure if a two-car trailer would work, but these guys seems to be in southern California somewhere:

https://www.bigtrailerrentals.com/fl.../car-hauler-34

The drawback is you'd need to drag the empty thing back across the country to return it.

As Bamamick has mentioned, there are these sort of cargo bidding website things that nomadic independent hauliers use. There are currently bids being submitted for transporting a 31' Beneteau from Mississippi to Arizona on Shiply with a wide range of prices depending on the experience of the haulier/whether there is a cradle / wheeled road trailer available:

https://www.shiply.com/us/transport/...Keel/VMG0GKWDV

If you click on the messages links you can see the sort of questions that are being asked / assumptions that are being made

It may be worth posting the job on there. I'd suggest that if you can find a cradle first, provide accurate dimensions (mast length, hull length, beam, total height of boat on cradle, weight etc), mention that you will sort out the lifting on & off the trailer and provide accurate details of the collection and drop off addresses then you'll attract a larger number of bids. Logistics folks don't like surprises...

Good luck.

Ed

[hawkeye54]

Ted, with the mast removed, would the hull fit into an open top 40 foot container, or an extra tall open top container ? ( just suggesting possible solutions )




Rick

[Pelirrojo]

I would look into either buying a used powerboat trailer and modifying it, or buying a boat trailer combo: a quick Craigslist search came up with a triple axle trailer for around 3000 and a Pearson 26 footer with a for 2500. Both were near San Francisco.

Nicholas

[bamamick]

Ted, with the mast removed, would the hull fit into an open top 40 foot container, or an extra tall open top container ? ( just suggesting possible solutions )




Rick

That's really not a bad idea. The six metres ship in 40' containers, with one tiny little issue: they have to cut the masts so that they will fit. They do this by fabbing a sleeve and then pinning it back together when it gets where it's going. This is for boats going back and forth between North America and Europe. They seem to have enough trailers to haul them cross-country when there's a big event in Newport or some such place.

I have contacts for people that might be able to explain the mast thing if you wanted to look into it.

Mickey Lake

[Canoeyawl]

What is the vertical height of the boat from the bottom of the keel to the top of the house?

[Ted Hoppe]

The boat like her sister which i also am a caretaker sits just over 10.5 feet from bottom of the keel to top of house (I could remove pieces what would bring her to 10'). She is 9' 6" wide. 30.7' in length. She has a deck stepped mast making a simpler process getting to strike or stand. I am hesitant dropping the keel due to the added bolts pocketed in that I added a few years back, to do it again would be big job costing days of work and much added expense which may include recasting for the j-bolts and deadwood replacement.

It is pretty easy to get a light weight trailer to move a the boat around the yard. Getting one that can do 3000 miles carrying 8800 pounds is much harder.

I have given the boat 3 months more of slip fees, 9 more months than I wanted to pay since her return to me. A trailer or an economical way means a second lease to all that she can be.

As for sailing to Panama - her sister although spartan would be a dream. Only needing a Bimini added for the pilot. Maybe that is the answer - paying a crew to cruise my boat over 3 months.

[Rumars]

At 9'6" you will need an oversize load permit from each state you drive trough, and pay attention to height restrictions on the way (max. 13.5ft from the ground).
Flatbed or car trailer with wheeld cradle is possible with those dimensions if a suitable boat trailer is hard to find. You can even make it full frame and close it up with ply or tarp, that also sorts storage.

[Canoeyawl]

It could get complicated...

10ft high is no problem, up to a 40" deck height deck should will be fine (total allowance 13'6" for Ca. - less is better)

The 9'6" width will require a wide load permit for each state you will pass through, and it may limit your hours of operation (typically am and pm rush hours depending on the width)
These can be purchased and issued for the date/time on the road, or purchased as an annual "blanket permit"

This will mean purchasing these before you enter or stopping at each states point of entry and acquiring the necessary permit/s (pita) Federal highways have different rules and regulations than state highways and often different "wide load" permits.
Wide loads can be a real bureaucratic pita

If the combined vehicle weight is over 15k lbs, in California a class A license is required, other states have their own license requirements of which should should be aware.
The boat is 8800 lbs, a trailer will be say 1500? Probably a 12k GVW trailer will be just adequate if the tires are rated 3k each.
You're going to want a tow vehicle under 5k lbs to avoid the complication of the CDL

There may be other permits associated with the wide load in various states, I am only familiar with California laws regarding this detail.

I may have a lead on a 2 axle trailer.

[wizbang 13]

The boat like her sister which i also am a caretaker sits just over 10.5 feet from bottom of the keel to top of house (I could remove pieces what would bring her to 10'). She is 9' 6" wide. 30.7' in length. She has a deck stepped mast making a simpler process getting to strike or stand. I am hesitant dropping the keel due to the added bolts pocketed in that I added a few years back, to do it again would be big job costing days of work and much added expense which may include recasting for the j-bolts and deadwood replacement.

It is pretty easy to get a light weight trailer to move a the boat around the yard. Getting one that can do 3000 miles carrying 8800 pounds is much harder.

I have given the boat 3 months more of slip fees, 9 more months than I wanted to pay since her return to me. A trailer or an economical way means a second lease to all that she can be.

As for sailing to Panama - her sister although spartan would be a dream. Only needing a Bimini added for the pilot. Maybe that is the answer - paying a crew to cruise my boat over 3 months.

The trouble starts when the last gate opens and the hot wind, hot water , hot waves turn on like a fire hose … for the next lotta miles.

[Hugh MacD]

Ted,
What's your time frame? I have my J-30 (dead...terminal core rot) sitting on a trailer. A friend's son wants the J to turn into a bar, but I don't know when he's going to try moving it. The trailer's rough and will no doubt need tires, brakes and paint, but if you want it it's yours...once the J-boat's off it.

[Ted Hoppe]

Ted,
What's your time frame? I have my J-30 (dead...terminal core rot) sitting on a trailer. A friend's son wants the J to turn into a bar, but I don't know when he's going to try moving it. The trailer's rough and will no doubt need tires, brakes and paint, but if you want it it's yours...once the J-boat's off it.

so sorry to hear about the j30. There isn't a chance to dry out the boat's core? I always like those for many of the same reasons of my own boats.

I am completely flexible if that would come about keeping with our shared goals. Would be more than happy to pay for the rehab and build up of the trailer to if that works. Let me know what i can do or how I can help you. Once my mission is done - i would be very happy to pass this on to someone deserving or back to you for your next boat adventure

[Breakaway]

Used trailers are usually for sale for a reason. They are a project.
Even used, a serviceable 8,000-lb trailer is going to cost $3, maybe $4 K and need some work.
What vehicle will you tow it with? Such a trailer itself will weight 1,500 pounds, easy. So, you need figure 10, 000-12,000 pound towing capacity.

I'd ship it, personally.

Kevin

[Canoeyawl]

Ted,
This trailer sounds heavy enough, I would call and ask if it has 6 lug wheels ( that should be your first question)
(You will still need to add pedestals and etc to stabilize your boat on it. I have done this a few times and can offer advice by phone if you want)

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bpo...571887276.html

[Breakaway]

^ A " 25 foot boat" trailer is likey rated for only 4800-5500 pounds or so.
Plus, 8,000 is about the upper limit for a dual axle trailer. A good 8,000 pound trailer will be a tri-axle.

Kevin

[bamamick]

Ted,
What's your time frame? I have my J-30 (dead...terminal core rot) sitting on a trailer. A friend's son wants the J to turn into a bar, but I don't know when he's going to try moving it. The trailer's rough and will no doubt need tires, brakes and paint, but if you want it it's yours...once the J-boat's off it.

Thread drift: I guess the peel and replace method is out? A J30 is a fun boat to race. If it weren’t for hurricanes messing stuff up I might have one (I recently looked at a Soveral 33, but then I remembered I don’t have six people that liked me enough to give up their time to go sailing with me).

Mickey Lake

[Hugh MacD]

Thread drift: I guess the peel and replace method is out? A J30 is a fun boat to race. If it weren’t for hurricanes messing stuff up I might have one (I recently looked at a Soveral 33, but then I remembered I don’t have six people that liked me enough to give up their time to go sailing with me).

Mickey Lake

(Continuation of thread drift) That was kind what I had in mind. I helped a friend do his and we were going to tackle mine but David developed a brain tumor and passed away. In the interim I've done more drilling and found that it'd be a complete hull job...not just the original damp spots I'd found. So she's become an organ donor to keep other J-30s racing. And a fun backyard bar She race extensively on the Great Lakes and out here did Oregon Offshore and Swiftsure and countless club races. Great boat offshore!
DSC_0117.jpg

[Ted Hoppe]

Also am considering finding a nice competent sailor or couple to cruise my boat from San Francisco, Cabo or Mazatlan to Panama. I was thinking of giving them a ready boat, a few months, and airline tickets home. I know things will break - I can fix those once in Panama. Will give them a bonus if she is in good shape.

[Ted Hoppe]

meanwhile next door this morning between breaks in weather- this trailer was not ready... Makes me realize the folly and expense required. I may not be able to pull it off.

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[Pelirrojo]

Might be worth looking into the cost to get her to the great lakes and then from there take her the rest of the way on her own bottom. It significantly cuts down on the distance.

Nicholas

[Yeadon]

I feel like this saga needs a vlog. The highs, the lows.

[bamamick]

Being honest there is probably more damage done to sailboats trailering them than there is with them in the water. I have had my share of adventures. I think that that is an awesome boat and with a proper trailer would be an ideal rig for moving around the coast from Connecticut to Maine and all parts, but I would worry about some half-arsed venture like the converted car-carrier my wooden Dragon rode on for all those years.

She is a very fine looking boat Ted, and from what I have heard a wonderful sailor.

Mickey Lake

[Ted Hoppe]

I understand Joe has a month.... He could make a vlog.

[Ted Hoppe]

Being honest there is probably more damage done to sailboats trailering them than there is with them in the water. I have had my share of adventures. I think that that is an awesome boat and with a proper trailer would be an ideal rig for moving around the coast from Connecticut to Maine and all parts, but I would worry about some half-arsed venture like the converted car-carrier my wooden Dragon rode on for all those years.

She is a very fine looking boat Ted, and from what I have heard a wonderful sailor.

Mickey Lake

She is a fine sailing boat, both are. After days of storms and feet of rain - she had only had 4 gallons of water to be dry. Remarkable considering the atmospheric river we are under.

I wrote another slip fee check for the second boat today. As I sponged her out and checked the rigging from the 70 mile an hour winds overnight, so hard to know what to do. I smile every time I sail these sisters. they are without a doubt some of the finest, simple, fast boats of that golden era. I could just turn her over to someone that needs shelter and move on. It sure hurts when I put so much life and blood into her for me to see that happen.