usmc-sgt

Looking for advice on how to move a boat from JAX area to the BOS area.

No hurry as it is sitting at my mothers house although I would like to move it sometime in the next few months. Looking for suggestions as to the best way to make this happen.

I have a vehicle that can tow it but I am trying to reserve the idea of me driving 20+ hours in an SUV and then 20+ hours back as a last resort due to cost and time. My other option was to fly to FL and rent a truck with a hitch and tow it back. The last option is pay a service to have someone tow it although I am not sure what that would cost.

Has anyone done something like this before? Any ideas?

This is the boat:

EvilMonkey

Try www.uship.com. I think this is the same site used by the folks on Shipping Wars, the AE show. Anyways, we used them to move from the Midwest to California earlier this year and were pleased with the service.

If the boat is on a trailer, someone with another load going north might be able to tow it behind another vehicle for less than you might think.

PM if you have any more questions.

Good luck!

tomgoodman

"Bucket List" idea: Sail it up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to BOS. If it's not practical at this time of year, maybe next spring....?

Tips For Cruising The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - The Fun Times Guide to Travel Tips

usmc-sgt

It's crossed my mind Tom. The only issue is my little one at home, it'd likely be too much time off. If he was 6+, I'd take him.

rickair7777

Take an add in craigs list, try to find someone who's driving up there anyway and has a hitch receiver. Offer to pay their gas or something along those lines.

Maybe post flyers at the local BEQ/BOQs in JAX? Military people travel a lot, tend to own trucks, and are more reliable than a random stranger.

flyandive

That's exactly the idea of uship.com. I used it once to get my stuff from Denver to SF. It's mostly small but professional movers that bid on your cargo. A lot of the time they are already making the trip and so are already making a profit. By bidding on your cargo they are trying to make a little more but the result is you can often ship your stuff for pretty cheap with small mom and pop operations. Something to try anyway. I like the idea of sailing it though!

SeamusTheHound

I'll make two recommendations, regardless of who is driving it:

1. Consider removing the canopy over the center console during transport. It will be traveling at highway speeds and may get damaged or fly off.

2. Have the trailer tires, bearings, axles and brakes inspected and serviced by a mechanic before the trip. I have seen many trailers break down and even cause accidents because the equipment was not fit to be on the highway - dry-rotted tires, frozen or worn bearings, rusted axles and faulty brakes are all hazards to others on the road. Regardless of who is driving it, YOU will be held responsible for causing an un-roadworthy trailer to be on the highway. Spend $200 to have a mechanic ensure that the trailer is up for the trip.

Overall, if you can't sail it up the intercostal, I think paying someone else to tow it is a good option.

Sata 4000 RP

Almost all rental vehicle contracts EXCLUDE towing with the rental vehicle.

Maybe your insurance company will insure the vehicle anyway, maybe they won't.

Keep in mind the typical rental truck/suv isn't going to have a tow package with Class IV hitch and a wiring harness.

Good luck!

pilot0987

good stuff right there

usmc-sgt

Thanks for the great input. I'd likely fly out there and take the canopy off and have it wrapped. Great call on the trailer, it's a good trailer but that is a long haul. I'll definitely look into uship.

Pardon my brevity...iPhone.