All You Need To Know About Shipping A Sail Boat

1. Know your sail boat type
2. Cutters
3. Sailing Sloop
4. Ketches
5. When shipping, transporters use measurements to give you a price quote

If you’re the laid-back type of a person and you believe getting there slowly is what makes cruising fun, then a sail boat is the perfect boat for you. Sail boats are simple but incredible machines. Sail boats are mainly powered by the wind which makes the cruise slow enough. When compared to power boats, sail boats allow you to linger longer in the cruise and bond with your friend or family on board, thanks to their slow speed. As you choose a transporter to ship your sail board, you need to know everything there is to know about shipping a sail boat. This knowledge will help you avoid common blunders most people make when shipping their boats.

Know your sail boat type

There are different types of sail boats in the market that come in different sizes, designs and materials. When organizing shipping a sail boat, you must give your transporter all the boat details to help them come up with an accurate price quote for you. If you’re wondering what your boat type is, have a look at the most common sail boats in the market. See which descriptions and see which one describes your sail boat best.

Cutters

The cutter has two jibs. The inner forestay has a staysail set while the outer forestay has a high-cut Yankee set. Often both the inner forestay and the outer forestay are on furling gears. However, if you prefer to replace the honked-on staysail with a handed-on storm jib, it’s possible. All you need is to install the furling gear on the outer forestay only. There are two types of cutters; one that has a bowsprit and the other which has no bowsprit. Either way, cutters are flexible and easy to handle when compared to other sail boats.

Sailing Sloop

The sloop is deep-fin keeled with a high aspect ratio Marconi rig. There are also the low aspect ratio sail boats that are short and squat too. However, the high aspect ones a perform better due to their long and narrow, tall and narrow like wings. Nothing beats an ultimate windward performance like the sloop does. The very high aspect ratio sloop rigs are only appropriate for racing sailboats. Sailing sloops with medium rigs are probably the most appropriate of all cruising sailboats.

Ketches

Most people confuse ketches and yawls. The distinct difference is that in ketches, the mizzen is before the rudder post while in the yawl, the mizzen is aft of the rudder post. Both have a small mizzen mast aft and a mainmast foremost. The real difference, however, is the purpose of each. While the mizzen sail of a ketch which is usually larger than the yawls is there to add drive, the mizzen on a yawl is there to help trim the boat to enable it to follow a compass despite wind shifts.

When shipping, transporters use measurements to give you a price quote

After knowing your sail boats design and model, the other important thing to know is the boat's measurements and their implications for shipping.

Boats that have a beam more than 8’6” wide and over 13’6” in height when loaded the tractor-trailer will require an oversize permit in every state they pass through. Since your actual boat size will determine the price of the haul, the route the transporter will follow, the permits and escort needed to transport your boat, you need to communicate these details in advance. Unlike transporting a vehicle, transporting an over-dimensional sail boat has restrictions. Especially around urbanized areas and cities, there are toll road restrictions and road work restrictions besides the time of day restrictions that the transporter needs to take into consideration before determining the mileage required for shipping a sail boat.

Typically, a shipping boat with a 12’ wide beam and a 12’ and below overall height will not need any special escorts in the majority of the states. Sail boats with a beam bigger than 12’ but less than 14’ will require at least one escort.

Boats over 14’ in height or 14’ in width may be grouped under a super load in some states. If your boat is deemed a super load, it will require additional escorts, possible route surveys, and police escorts. Additional mile, escorts, and permits all determine the price quote for shipping your sail boat. Nothing is cut and dry when it comes to hauling an oversized boat.

Like with all other boats, make sure you prepare it accordingly before shipping. Disconnect batteries, secure the cabinets and covers, latch and tape the window, remove all the lights cameras propellers, etc.

And when unsure of how to prepare it, contact us. We will not just guide you on how to prepare your sail boat for shipping; we will also ship it for you.