Ship Shipping

[JD Ray]

Let's say for a minute that, while shopping on everyone's favorite YachtTrader, someone runs across a boat they are in love with. They have a survey done, go look at the boat, take it out for sea trials, and everything is great. A price is negotiated, and sale is complete. The one problem? It's in England and the buyer is in the PNW. And neither the buyer nor the boat are capable of crossing the Atlantic.

Question: How much should it cost to get a 40 foot boat delivered that distance?

Note: I'm only looking for broad-brush-stroke numbers like $10,000 or $50,000.

Anyone have ideas that don't include "I don't know anything about shipping costs, but I would never do it that way because I'm uncomfortable with the idea or have never considered it"?

 

[Captain Max]

Has everyone forgot what happened to all the shipping companies that transported yachts during the 2008-2014 recession that left yachts stranded all around the world? In the best of times their schedules were “flexible”, in the worst they flat out stopped going to destinations despite people having paid in full. Some went out of business, others consolidated, and then delayed destinations for years. If your cargo can fit in a container, I wouldn’t be concerned, but if it needs special handling I would be VERY VERY reluctant to trust that a yacht could now reach its destination for a very very long time, if at all. Google is your friend!

 

[boathealer]

Had a friend transfer a 28ft sailboat from France to Florida about 10 years ago. It was around $7-8K IIRC.

 

[JD Ray]

Has everyone forgot what happened to all the shipping companies that transported yachts during the 2008-2014 recession that left yachts stranded all around the world? In the best of times their schedules were “flexible”, in the worst they flat out stopped going to destinations despite people having paid in full. Some went out of business, others consolidated, and then delayed destinations for years. If your cargo can fit in a container, I wouldn’t be concerned, but if it needs special handling I would be VERY VERY reluctant to trust that a yacht could now reach its destination for a very very long time, if at all. Google is your friend!

Good to know, and good point. Luckily, wide shipping containers exist, even if they're not standard, so you could get a 35' boat with a beam of 11' or so into one.

 

[JD Ray]

Had a friend transfer a 28ft sailboat from France to Florida about 10 years ago. It was around $7-8K IIRC.

Thanks. That was about the amount I was thinking for that sort of distance, but didn't know if I was way off base. I imagine (though have no facts) that "only" double that amount would get you all the way to the PNW, or at least to L.A.

 

[Mako]

Unless it will fit inside a container or flat-rack (40' length by 13' beam max) then perhaps not worth the trouble or cost.

As a comparison, I was quoted shipping a 65ft trawler from China (up by Beijing) to the Panama Canal, for $85,000. That's a very good rate, not what the yachtie transporters would charge.

Your trip from England to the Canal to Seattle is about the same.

 

[Chrisjs]

I think makobuilder's price range is much more in line with transport from UK via Panama to Seattle. Distance has to be about twice as far as France to Florida plus you have added complication/cost of Panama Canal. Plus obviously it also depends on size and weight of vessel. Several years ago, I did get ballpark on BVI to Boston at around $40K for a 50 ft trawler (65,000 lbs)

 

[JD Ray]

So, if you want to buy a boat in Europe, best have it bluewater capable and consider paying someone to deliver it.

 

[ranger58sb]

I have quotes around $22-23K to ship a 50' sportfish (52' OAL) from Puerto Rico (via either Tortola or St. Thomas) to FLL, if that helps.

Likely shippers are Sevenseas Yacht Transport, DYT Yacht Transport (Sevenstar Yacht Transport)... and another is Tote Maritime but I don't have a quote from them.

-Chris

 

[JD Ray]

Where's "FLL"? Because Florida seems awfully close to Puerto Rico to be shipping a 52' boat.

 

[ranger58sb]

Yep, Fort Lauderdale. The quotes actually say Port Everglades, but FLL is shorter.

That delivery would be about 1100 miles.

I've loosely compared cost to my own delivery, which would probably be about $10K... but I'd also want to hire a certified mechanic to ride along on that one, 'cause i'm not familiar with the engines (Volvo D-12s)... and because the trip would be right after a survey, wherein any problem issues may -- but may not -- surface.

-Chris

 

[Larry M]

Dock Wise is still shipping or they were last month. I took the picture of the “Yacht Express” on March 15 by Miami/Fort Lauderdale. It arrived at it’s destination, Palma de Mallorca, Spain on April 4?

 

[Portage_Bay]

Points about what happened in the last economic crash are good to keep in mind. I personally would go with Seven Star because they are part of the Speiltoff Group which should give greater stability.



Rather than accept guess work here pick a boat you like and contact Seven Star for a quote with the boat's specifics and location.


Keep in mind any transporter you use will likely be foreign flagged and subject to the Jones Act which means they can go from US port to US port. One way they work it is to unload in Victoria or Vancouver which are not bad places for you being in the PNW.


Shipped or delivered it's going to be expensive. It would have to be a very special boat.

 

[PM]

OK, Don't do it. You are close in your price estimate of $50,000 , probably more. However you missed one big expense..If you buy a boat in England you will have to make at least two, probably three trips there to secure the deal. If the Admiral goes along better plan on about $5,00 per trip just for tickets, then motels, meals, etc. so you better add another $20,000 to the price. Also don't forget you will need an attorney for buying and tax advice probably both here and in England. They like to get paid and will not cut any deal for "Rich Americans". Tag on another $10,000.

Once again, Don't do it.

Good Luck,

pete

 

[AnnapolisJoy]

OK, Don't do it. You are close in your price estimate of $50,000 , probably more. However you missed one big expense..If you buy a boat in England you will have to make at least two, probably three trips there to secure the deal. If the Admiral goes along better plan on about $5,00 per trip just for tickets, then motels, meals, etc. so you better add another $20,000 to the price. Also don't forget you will need an attorney for buying and tax advice probably both here and in England. They like to get paid and will not cut any deal for "Rich Americans". Tag on another $10,000.

Once again, Don't do it.

Good Luck,

pete

Pete I agree. Do not ship overland if possible. And the cost to shop aboard a transport ship will be around $50,000 from Florida to British Columbia. I just got a quote from Seven Seas .

We once shipped a 26' Sea Ray from Annapolis to Greenwich CT. It took forever and when the boat arrived it was damaged. The driver said some one cut him off on the GW bridge.

There are plenty of boats for sale and I am certain one can be found within sailing distance. Just my $0.02

 

[wwestman]

I got a quote a few years back to move a 45 ft trawler from FL to the PNW and was quoted over $50,000. Boat was almost worth it but did not go through with it.

 

[Gordon J]

I just gir a wuote

Let's say for a minute that, while shopping on everyone's favorite YachtTrader, someone runs across a boat they are in love with. They have a survey done, go look at the boat, take it out for sea trials, and everything is great. A price is negotiated, and sale is complete. The one problem? It's in England and the buyer is in the PNW. And neither the buyer nor the boat are capable of crossing the Atlantic.

Question: How much should it cost to get a 40 foot boat delivered that distance?

Note: I'm only looking for broad-brush-stroke numbers like $10,000 or $50,000.

Anyone have ideas that don't include "I don't know anything about shipping costs, but I would never do it that way because I'm uncomfortable with the idea or have never considered it"?

For shipping my Ocean Alexander 456 from Florida to Greece. Quoted price with no negotiation attempted, $33k. I did not negotiate because with corona virus decided to wait.

Gordon

 

[DDW]

I think the market for specialists is consolidated down to one: 7 Seas/Dockwise. You can always try random deck cargo but there are plenty of horror stories. I got a quote from Dockwise about 6 years ago for a 45' sailboat from Florida to Victoria, $45K. They charge by the square foot of deck space, weight has pretty much no effect at all. I believe the price can vary considerably, if the ship is getting booked up then high, if in danger of being empty, much lower.

 

[markpierce]

Cost about $26k in 2011 to ship my boat from China to Oakland, CA. Federal import and state use taxes were about the same.

 

[klee wyck]

Just did this about three years ago from Northern Europe to the PNW via the canal.
Boat was mid fifties length. Cost was low 70sK.
Buying the boat over there was easy and cheap, and importing and duties were easy and cheap with professional help.
I found the value in the boat good enough to where adding freight cost of 70K did not change that calculus. It is costly to ship from Europe to West Coast, much more than East Coast. The boat is worth it or not.

 

[sledge]

SevenStar does a good job. A 40-ish loa boat FL to PNW is about $32k and loads as open deck cargo. I don’t believe Europe adds a lot to the price. I wouldn’t totally count out the idea if you find a unique boat that’s hard to get in US, or perhaps it’s a much better deal... though I will say there are some great boats in the PNW, and many built right there.
Also beware some adjustments might be necessary for U.K. electrical systems on board.

 

[JD Ray]

Just did this about three years ago from Northern Europe to the PNW via the canal.
Boat was mid fifties length. Cost was low 70sK.
Buying the boat over there was easy and cheap, and importing and duties were easy and cheap with professional help.
I found the value in the boat good enough to where adding freight cost of 70K did not change that calculus. It is costly to ship from Europe to West Coast, much more than East Coast. The boat is worth it or not.

That's my way of thinking. Knowing things like this are how I make assessment models. And there are some boat designs, I've noticed, that are only built in Europe (various countries there seem to have different ideas on what makes a good boat, which is natural). I find that while I like the look externally of many boats in the Netherlands, I don't like their interior layout. Conversely, there are several boats (large ones at that) one can have in Spain or Italy that, other than the odd decor choice inside (very 80s Euro) for relatively cheap. Any one of them would make an amazing cruiser for the PNW. In England, I see boats that I would seriously entertain buying, and they end up being about $50K less than you would pay for something similar here. But with this reported shipping cost, it about levels the playing field. But it doesn't rule them out.

 

[PM]

Sledge makes a good point about electrical being different. There may be other things which do not adapt well to Stateside use like air draft or water draft, tie up accommodations, grade of diesel fuel suitable and what configuration is the fillers, what about the black water pump out and holding, things could be way different. Probably not an issue with a boat from England but from other places you may find the instructions and owners manual printed in a different language. Pollution regulations are, no doubt different and so therefore some engine parts may not be interchangeable to ours. Fuel, water and waste tanks are probably computed and labeled in Metric, not a big deal but still an issue.

Why sign up for a headache like that? If you find an unbelievable bargain in a boat which will stand the extra shipping and other costs and headaches what will you end up with when you get it home? About a break even deal financially and no doubt 6 months of problems.

Buy close to home.

pete

 

[mcarthur]

We shipped our 50'x16' boat the other way - from Caribbean to UK - last year. Got various quotes from A$20k-35k (that's about US$14-20k). Waited for 6 months and got a deal, finalised at near A$17k (about US$10.7k). For you, there's much more than double the distance, Panama canal taxes, and even then it's unlikely many yacht transporters are actually going to PNW (no need ) so you'd probably be dropped at San Francisco or LA and have to find your own way north. You may get it there for US$50k...

 

[guy with a boat]

$50K is low. Don’t underestimate the complications if it’s a 50hz boat. If it is, that also negatively affects your future resale value.

 

[Irish Rambler]

One of the ways to ship is via a company called Atlantic Container Lines, ACL, from Liverpool England to the East coast of the US. They operate what's called a MAFI trailer roll on/roll off. You take your boat to the docks on a cradle, the cradle is lifted onto the MAFI trailer and driven on board by a tug, then anchored for the crossing.
Another method is to put the boat cradle onto a what you call a flat rack, in England they are referred to as Lancashire flats and have it stowed deck cargo, they are usually placed in the centre of the top deck surrounded by containers to give it protection. If a boat is bought in Europe simply skipper it up to Liverpool.
Other than that sail it over if its suitable, its what they're made for after all, you just need a sensible approach as Richard has proved.

 

[JD Ray]

Thanks, everyone.

 

[hfoster]

JD.

First make sure the vessel's wiring can handle the USA amps. They use low grade wiring in Europe.

50k might get you to the east coast of the US, but not the West coast.

Here is a link that we had so time ago on TF about the same issue.

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/shipping-boat-europe-u-s-west-coast-44831.html

Cheers and best of luck to you.

H.

 

[ranger58sb]

First make sure the vessel's wiring can handle the USA amps. They use low grade wiring in Europe.

I suspect the "low grade" idea isn't cast in concrete. Different voltages there may allow lighter gauge (thinner) wiring in some instances... but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't wiring according to local code.

-Chris

 

[rsn48]

I too don't understand why you can't find a boat on the West Coast - LA, San Diego, San Fran, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtney/Como, Campbell River. Nothing in those areas?

Are you using local searches like Kijiji and Craigslist? Here is one listing after about 2 minutes of searching, its listed in BC but its out of Gig Harbor Wa so I don't know if the price is Canadian or American:

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/victoria-bc/2001-eagle-40-trawler/1476165807

And here is a 45 Bayliner: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/burnaby-new-westminster/1989-4588-bayliner/1484889873