Question:
I am relocating to Miami, FL from Washington, DC and would like to take along
my 25' Catalina sailboat.
Any suggestions on the best way to get it there?
My first thoughts were either shipping it, or pulling a trailer with the boat
on the trailer. Can anybody guess at the cost of shipping a boat from DC to
Miami?
Or who might offer this service? If I use a trailer, can they be rented? I
probably won't use the trailer again once I have the boat in the water in
Miami. Is there
a market for used trailers, so that if I bought a new or used trailer, would I
be
able to sell it again?
Answer:
-Check around your local marinas and yacht clubs and put 'wanted' signs
to borough/rent a trailer for the trip. Then rent a u-hull pick-up
truck to haul it with(unless you already have a truck with a good
transmission). You can drive the whole rig down, drop off the boat and
bring everything else back up. Check with a long haul trucker or the
state police to find out what permits, if any, you'll need. Probably
won't need any.
-With the boat manufacturers in FL, perhaps you could work a back haul with
their delivery service??
-If there ia a market for used trailers, you should be able to buy
one, right? Are there any for sale? Try a test ad, offer to sell,
see if you get nibbles. "Gee, I'm sorry, sold it to my nephew."
The trailer might only cost a part of what professional haulers
might charge, though haulers are negotiable, especially if they are
going your way -back home- empty.
