Boats that can go in containers.

I know what it cost more than...

http://www.yacht-transport.com/index.php?sid=105&folder=2810

 

You can google "shipping boats on dockwise " and find various reports on costs and problems. The 30ish k quote was roughly 50' powerboat. They definitely price based on volume, not weight though there may be a premium if you had some vast monster boat. Cost of a 44' Mexico to PNW was about 10k in 2004. This was about 2-3k more than trucking at the time, may be different now.

 

I assisted in the transport of a game boat Sydney to Fiji, in manufacturing the cradle & delivering the boat to wharf, cradle 7.5k, ship about 8k, flat rack about 2k, divers to guide crane straps past stern gear etc about 2k plus some for the stevedores per lift, plus shipping agent & insurance, came to about 25k all up which compared well to fuel & crewing cost & extra insurance for the trip especially considering steaming range was a bit tight on safety margin as well. Regards from Jeff.

 

I can see it would be a no brainer for a big power boat. Fuel costs alone for a some of those beasts would be more.

 

Hello Tad...

Do you believe that the costs for say a 50 foot sailboat would cost that much more to transport on her bottom? Can you point out some of the real costs that you mention? What would you say it would be for the same leg for a 50 foot sailboat on her bottom? Would it be more than $5 per nm?

From NZ to California is like 6000 nm? That cost is like $5 per nm for the $30K. Pretty damn reasonable and probably damned fast too.

J

 

Hello J,

I was only thinking of the endless spending involved in preparing for an ocean crossing/major passage. Fuel would be the least of it, thought it will be significant for most boats. But a great deal of the cost will depend on the boat and the operator's style. The passage from NZ to West Coast NA is usually considered "uphill". IE to windward. If you have a sailboat that doesn’t like to go to windward, you have a long passage ahead.

Additional costs will include crew, you may need one or two extra folks who have needs. Things like checking liferafts, repairing sails, changing filters, etc. Spares brought up to date, perhaps haul and clean the bottom. Offshore insurance is not cheap. Then there’s the cost of moorage and customs clearance along the way, plus shore activities for the whole crew.....all in all significant. Other costs include additional engine hours and wear and tear on your boat. It may not come out of your pocket until you sell the boat, but it is a real cost.