Help How heavy is my 70ft boat

I don't know if I can wait to see how this turns out!

 

Yep- updates on progress would be of interest.

 

Maybe the estate will pay to have it put in the water and re-listed at that point but then the price will go up I am sure...until then the OP is trying to decide how he would be able to move it from present location 1km to the ocean...I am curious what the estate's price is for the thing as is where it sits...or whether it is sealed bids...just for spits and giggles...

 

I am still waiting for the haulage guys to come back with prices.
There is no rush as I want to ensure that it will be possible to move and not a massive cost.
Because the boat is so large, we need to see if we can get the required permits and if the truck can physically drive the route that we have established as the best.
The boat is being sold by the widow of the owner, so it is not really an estate type arrangement. We are all working together to get this deal across the line, but I am not in a hurry as it could be a very expensive disaster in the making if everything is not discovered and planned.

 

For anyone watching this thread, it is bad news.
The problem is moving the boat, as I knew it would be from the beginning.
After getting 2 specialist boat movers to look at it, the cost is going to be high and still prone to blowouts. There are 2 main problems. None of the 2 locations I wanted to use would work as there was not enough room for the crane, even using a 2 stage lift. The only location that would work would require a massive power disconnect of several high voltage (20,000v) as well as over 20 residential power lines. This is where the red tape would start as it would take months for approval and even then it is not guaranteed.
The only way I can see moving it is to to remove the fly bridge, but then the boat would be un-drivable as it is where all the motor controls are (aside form the remote units). There would be nowhere to put the fly bridge back on on the water as there are no nearby areas to work on it.
So I have told the owner that it is way to risky for me to take a gamble on.
Thanks all for your help, I am disappointed, but also happy I did the homework before I spent the money.

 

Honestly, I don't think the boat was worth the money. Unproven design, and I think you where paying a premium.

But if you still want it - I would go back to estate offer $80,000 and cut the boat in three pieces, haul it to a warehouse next to water, and put it back together.

 

Sounds cliche... but maybe it wasn't just wasn't meant to be...you'll find your boat...maybe even something not so top-heavy looking...good luck!

 

This may be the best news you've received!

It may also be a reflection of the kind of thought that went into the entire build thus far. No way to get it in the water? That's not very good engineering!

I would hold out until they're ready to pay to get rid of it...

 

That's kind of what I thought. There's engineering and then there's engineering. Engineering mine equipment doesn't mean much as far as boats.

But as you say, the guy painted himself into a corner. It is pretty worthless if it can't get to the water. So it's a riddle on how to get it to the water. Going to google maps and the street scenes, it shows a hill directly behind the boat and that's why they can't back a trailer under it. But if it's unmovable and worthless, there's nothing to lose. I'm wondering if the props, shafts, rudders etc couldn't be taken off and the thing slid down the hill to where it would be accessible to a trailer, then jacked up and put on one. It couldn't be much worse than a shitty day at sea. Putting it in the water might entail finding an area close by that didn't require removing powerlines etc, where boards and ply could be laid down and the thing slid into the water. Or those big inflatible roller bags be used to move it down the hill and launch it. The thing doesn't have to run once it's in the water, it could be towed somewhere to put it back together.

 

Aren't those transport costs crazy??

I'm building my boat right next to the water. One location in Bristol, RI I looked at was literally 8 city blocks from a launch ramp with one 90 degree corner.

There was only one company that could haul a catamaran with a 25' beam and they quoted me something like $12,000 USD plus police permits, etc... all to go 8 city blocks. Nothing to remove, just a straight shot to the water.

I also looked into helicopters, but the requirement in the States is that you need to evacuate every single building in the flight path.

Best to build and buy boats that are already at the water.

 

This reminds me of the neighbour of my grandparents. He built a boat on the attic, only to find that he could never get it out. So he disassembled everything, and rebuilt it in the basement. Where he could not get it out either!

My grandfather advised him to build it in the garden shed. So he did. Of course he could not get it through the door, and finally he demolished the shed to free the boat...

 

Boat transport cost are expensive, and there no guarantees that boat will arrive in perfect shape. It is a rough business, the people that work it aren't rocket scientist and pretty much stick to their local areas. Biggest reason for cost is that they don't have work all the time so they try to make their money on your move. Prices vary greatly, seen one guy get quoted $5000 then boat yard uses same guy, but boat yard negotiated $800. Of course boat yard charged customer $5000.

So moral of the story... Negotiated hard, but if they know your up the mountain and they know they are the only one in town, your are screwed.

 

They could try the japanese method used for large steel boats on assembly lines - dragging the hull over chopped piano wire laid on the ground.

 

I had a house moving company quote me $6500 to move my 25' X 10', overheight houseboat 3 km.
I moved it on my own for $825. That included two crane lifts, a lo-boy, and a flatbed tow truck to back it down my driveway and slide it off.

 

You got out with your money and sanity- congratulations the whole affair could have been your undoing..




I'd wait till the property is sold off then get the new owners to pay you to remove the boat.