Anyone have experience with BoatsExpress for shipping boats?

[IDBoating]

Just wondering if anyone has used a boat shipping company, and particularly BoatsExpress. I have to ship a 24Ve from Florida to Washington State. I don't think I'd save any money driving round trip myself, and putting it on a flatbed saves the road rash on a brand new boat and trailer.

I'd be interested in hearing anything about BoatsExpress in particular, or shipping a boat in general. Thanks!

[Ewok]

I just sent you a PM, that sounds pretty reasonable.

[majestic]

Just wondering if anyone has used a boat shipping company, and particularly BoatsExpress. I have to ship a 24Ve from Florida to Washington State. I don't think I'd save any money driving round trip myself, and putting it on a flatbed saves the road rash on a brand new boat and trailer.

I'd be interested in hearing anything about BoatsExpress in particular, or shipping a boat in general. Thanks!

Where in Washington do you live? Also curious as to why you bought a boat all the way in Florida? Congratulations on the purchase BTW!

[talltigeguy]

If they put the boat on the flatbed, how high will the top of the tower be? If it is a diesel flatbed, then you are looking at 15 feet or so, watch the low underpasses. I do not know if it should be transported with the tower down.

You can get bids on USHIP.com.

Did you quote a price, or did I miss it?

I was looking at the same boat and did only a very preliminary search...$1 per mile would seem like a good deal to me. I would expect that putting it on a flatbed trailer would cost more. Most of the least expensive bids I saw were usually guys with dually diesel trucks driving around the country pulling stuff.

[IDBoating]

Where in Washington do you live?

Spokane WA, though we have lake property just over the border in Idaho.

Also curious as to why you bought a boat all the way in Florida?

The Florida dealer had a leftover (new, fully warranted) 2009 boat at a good price. Our local dealer had the same year and model but 1) it had fewer options, 2) it had been their "demo", 3) it showed wear and tear, and 4) they quoted $10K more (!!!). When I called back to see if they'd negotiate they claimed to have sold it, so I guess someone local believes they got a good deal. Happy for them, happier for me! {grin}

[IDBoating]

If they put the boat on the flatbed, how high will the top of the tower be?

With the tower down, the dealer has measured it at 8.5 feet.

You can get bids on USHIP.com.

Yep, worked that angle but ended up selecting BoatsExpress. UShip did give me my next best choice, though, and I almost used them.

$1 per mile would seem like a good deal to me.

$1.25 seems to be the going rate for flatbed transport. I did get a couple of quotes in the $1 range, but that was for towing it on its own trailer. I didn't want to expose a brand new boat and brand new trailer to ~2800 miles of road rash.

[lohe]

ya I used u-ship to tow mine... but they towed it not flatbed... I got some flat beds quotes and it was twice as much.. BTW with u-ship you can get any Joe Shmoe ( Witch I did) but they did get the boat to me safe and in good condition.

[talltigeguy]

$1.25 for a flat bed rate, from a real company...sounds sweet.