Is Transporting a Sailboat Difficult?
It’s not necessarily difficult to transport a sailboat, but it does require care and careful planning. Your responsibilities as the sailboat owner range from trailer maintenance and careful driving to the organization of international logistics. In this article, we’ll discuss ways to streamline the process and make it easier.
Is Sailboat Transport Expensive?
Sailboat transport can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Obviously, moving a small sailboat is relatively cheap in comparison, especially if you already have a truck and a trailer.
The cost of transporting a larger boat is higher, as you’ll probably need to hire a shipping company or a crew.
There are multiple ways to transport a large sailboat, and the more economical method isn’t always immediately evident. Some boats may be cheaper to ship on a specially-designed yacht carrying vessel, while others may be cheaper if you hire a delivery crew.
Pricing varies between boats, locations, and destinations, so it’s essential to research all available methods and request multiple quotes. If you do, you could save thousands on transport and delivery, not to mention insurance costs to protect your vessel from possible damage.
Sailboat Transport Methods
There are several ways to transport a sailboat, and the ideal method depends upon the size and dry weight of the vessel. Dry weight is distinct from displacement, so it’s important to ensure that you have the correct number. Here are the most common ways to transport sailboats short and long distances.
Self Towing
Some sailboats can be towed, though the vehicle, trailer type, and license requirements vary based on size. The smallest and lightest dinghies and pocket cruisers can be towed by most typical cars, provided you have a heavy-duty tow hitch installed.
Larger sailboats, in the 20-foot range and longer, usually need to be towed by a pickup truck or SUV. A half-ton gasoline pickup truck is sufficient for lighter vessels, as long as the dry weight doesn’t exceed the vehicle’s towing capacity.
Also, remember that some automakers determine towing capacity under ideal test conditions, so your truck’s actual towing ability may be slightly lower than its rating.
You’ll have to collapse or remove the mast, boom, and standing rigging of the sailboat and secure it, regardless of its size.
Most trailer sailers can be towed by half-ton or 3/4 ton single rear wheel trucks. Larger sailboats, such as towable coastal cruisers, may require a multi-axle trailer and a gooseneck. This setup is often found with a dually 3/4 ton or 1-ton truck.
The Basics of Towing Rules in the United States
The rules of the road are clear when it comes to towing. With a Class C license (a standard driver’s license), the maximum overall trailer length you can tow is 60 feet. The maximum length of a Class C trailer surface is 53 feet.
Length usually isn’t the issue when it comes to towing sailboats. The maximum width of a class C trailer is 8 ft 6 in, which includes the items on the trailer. The regulations mean that the beam of your boat can’t exceed about 8 feet, give or take a couple of inches.
With a more advanced license or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you can tow a much larger trailer and drive a semi-truck. Some larger sailboats with greater beam width can be towed this way, though only if they remain below the maximum height.
Height requirements for trailers vary between 13 ft, 6 inches to 14 ft, depending on the location. This is measured from the ground to the top of the item on the trailer.
Be sure to plan your route carefully if you’re towing a boat with a full keel, as some older overpasses and railroad bridges are much shorter than 13 feet.
Professional Towing Services
It’s usually best to leave the towing to professionals, especially if you’re towing a large boat. Experienced drivers with big rigs and commercial licenses can transport surprisingly large vessels safely but at a cost. The benefit of using a professional service is that you’re taking the risk off your shoulders.
Many professional towing services offer insurance, which is essential. Insurance protects the loading and unloading of the boat and covers any damages that occur en route. For the price, it’s a no-brainer.
In most cases, the tow company will not be able to help you launch your boat. You’re responsible for arranging boat crane services at your destination. It’s best to plan carefully, as you may end up paying more if you make the driver wait too long.
Cost of Professional Sailboat Towing Services
Cost varies widely based on the company, location, and size of the load. Most towing companies have a base fee, a fee of the assessed load, and then a per-mile charge. Some companies have different fee structures.
Companies that offer quotes usually predict a charge of between $500 and $1,000 for typical trips, though it can cost as little as $300 if you have a relatively small boat and it only needs to travel a short distance.
Shipping a Sailboat on a Cargo Ship
Large and small sailboats are frequently sent across oceans via cargo ships. This method is time-tested and relatively cost-effective, though it’s not as straightforward as just sailing the boat across.
Some people hire an agent to arrange shipping, which is the easiest and most reliable way to have a headache-free experience.
Shipping a sailboat by sea is slower than over-the-road transport, and schedules are less flexible. Often, you’ll have to wait for a spot to open up on a specifically-designed yacht carrying ship.
Once the ships are loaded, they set out at predetermined times that might be months ahead of when you booked. The best way to ensure you get a spot on a yacht shipping vessel is to plan well in advance of when you actually need to transport the vessel.
Logistics are the greatest challenge of shipping a boat on a larger ship. If you don’t work with an agent or an accommodating shipping company, you could have to work out the following and more:
- Transportation to the shipping yard
- Insurance
- Loading and securing instructions
- Shipping destination
- Payments to various services
- Customs in the destination country (if outside of the U.S.)
- Taxes and import fees
- Declarations
- Inspections
- Unloading at the destination
- Transportation from the destination port to the marina
As you can see, there are lots of reasons to hire a professional to manage the minutiae of shipping a sailboat. The last thing you want is to have your boat seized at customs or have it dropped off in an unguarded yard in the wrong location.
Cost to Ship a Sailboat on a Cargo Ship
Shipping costs for ocean-going boat transport are lower than many people expect. A lot of factors are involved, including the size of the boat, its height (from keel to mast top), its displacement, and the distance it needs to be shipped.
The lowest prices you’ll find to ship an average-sized boat are around $3,000 to $5,000. A more typical estimate for an average sailboat is between $6,000 and $10,000. Some vessels and destinations cost upwards of $15,000. Costs tend to increase with the size and distance, and the value of your sailboat also plays a part.
Prices in the yacht shipping industry are competitive, which is why it’s relatively affordable to ship a boat over an ocean. It’s surprisingly popular as well, and there are more than a dozen shipping companies offering long-distance ocean transport specifically for yachts of various sizes.
Hired Delivery
Hired crews for boat delivery is the other way to transport a sailboat over the water. Crew services find a captain and a small professional crew to sail your boat for you.
This is a great option for large boats, as it’s often less expensive and time-consuming than shipping it on a larger vessel.
Hired crew delivery services are offered by companies and experienced individuals. You can even find a trusted friend to crew your boat for you, and they can hire a crew member or two to accompany them for the journey.
While under hire, the crew will be living in your boat. Crew members come from all backgrounds, and many sailors spend a summer or two working for a charter service to make some money or get free transportation to other countries.
Cost to Hire a Delivery Crew
Hired crew delivery costs vary, though the more hands you need, the more it costs. Crews and captains usually charge daily rates for yacht delivery services. A fast sailboat is almost always cheaper to transport than a slow sailboat.
As an example, we’ll use the services of Captain James Lowe, who is a USCG licensed 200-ton Master. As of the writing of this article, Captain James Lowe charges between $350 and $425 per day for his services, depending on the size of the vessel. Deckhands cost $175 per day per person, which is in addition to the Captain’s charges.
These are the base rates, and they’re a good representation of what professional crewed delivery costs. You may find cheaper rates with other groups or individuals, but it’s worth the cost if you want a trustworthy and experienced crew.
Additional charges often include transportation costs (to and from the destinations), fuel costs (for heating, cooking, and motoring), and a deposit is usually required for fuel. These costs are impossible to predict without knowing your specific plans, so it’s best to reach out to Captain James Lowe for a specialized quote.
Hired crew delivery services usually have a minimum crew requirement for different boat sizes and types. In this case, sailboats require a minimum of one deckhand in addition to a captain. Larger sailing vessels of 65 feet or greater require two or more additional deckhands.
