BOAT PREPARATION GUIDE

The experienced dedicated drivers who transport your boat have the knowledge, experience and proper equipment to move your boat professionally and safely. Below are a few thoughts important for you to understand and prepare your boat for shipping.

The legal height for transporting over the road is 13'6". Please choose a marina or boat yard with at least 14" overhead clearance, with no low tree branches or wires on its approach. If you choose a marina or boatyard to which there is no clear access, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by branches or wires. The larger the boat, the higher the load, the more clearance required. Unless previously discussed, freight amount quoted is for a legal height of 13'6" loaded on trailer. If your boat loads higher, a height surcharge will be added to your freight amount. Boats with overall height greater than 13'6" loaded on the trailer requires special Handling and Routing. Its is critical to measure from the keel to the highest non-removable part of the boat.

Boat height should be 12'6" or less.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS:

• Stow and secure all loose gear. All gear stored below must be well secured. Driver will not accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by loose gear. Lock the cabin. DO NOT give keys to the driver. Boat gear only, driver can not ship household items.

• Drain fuel and water tanks. Remove any drain plugs from the hull. There should not be any water in the bilge during transport. During winter months, water should be drained from water systems, pumps, air conditioning, etc.

• Disconnect batteries and secure. Remove anchors from the deck. Remove seat cushions.

• Clean boat bottoms. They must be free of any growth, especially zebra mussels. You may experience excessive road dirt or other residues from the road construction. We will not accept responsibility for clean-ups from this. Wooden boats can be expected to dry out. A quote of linseed oil will help.

• Remove all Canvas. It will tear or fly off in transit. Driver will ship a shrink-wrapped boat; however, the shrink wrap will tear or fly off in transit, and we don't accept responsibility for any resulting dirt, damage or loss, including loss of unsecured items.

• Inspect all cradles carefully for loose bolts or weakness of any kind. If your cradle breaks in transit, causing damage to your boat, driver cannot accept responsibility. If you are shipping your boat on its own trailer, driver cannot accept responsibility should the rollers or frame cause damage or if the trailer breaks apart, causing damage. If you are shipping a dink on board or if you have had to remove any superstructure, these items should be well padded. DO NOT leave the dink on davits.

•  Ensure that any aluminum structure or tower is able to withstand the rigors of overland transport. Driver will not be responsible for the integrity of the construction of any aluminum structure or tower that may suffer damage due to vibration or flexing during transport.

• Remove all electronics, radars, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, windshields, cushions, etc., pack securely, and securely store below. Driver will not be responsible if any item of this nature are damaged or if they vibrate or fly off.

• Tie and/or tape hatches from the outside. Driver cannot be responsible for them or damage they may cause if they low off in transit or for damage to the boat caused by rain water if a hatch blows off.

• Seal the hatches and desks. A boat will not sit in the same position on our trailer as it does in water and we cannot be responsible for rain water entering through a leaky hatch or deck.

• Latch Cabin windows and tape them from the outside. Any canvas or fiberglass weather boards or windscreens must be removed.

• Remove all windshields, and/or Plexiglass that protrude over the flying bridge, pack with a cargo blanket, and secure below.

POWER BOAT TRANSPORTING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Make certain that your windshield is strong enough to withstand the rigors and wind of travel. Confirm the seal is tight and screws holding it in place are not corroded. In some cases oversize yachts are hauled backwards creating an even greater force of wind pressure. When in the least doubt REMOVE and SAFELY SECURE IT.

NOTE: If not removed, frameless Plexiglass windshields WILL break, take precautionary measures.

Any inboard/outboard or outboard motors should be raised and locked. It is sometimes prudent to place 2x4 securely between your out-drive and bracket. Whenever possible, you should consider removing the props and safely storing them.


SAIL BOAT TRANSPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Make certain that all Mast Poles are un stepped and de-rigged. All cabins and spreaders should be bound to the pole. All rigging, winches, wind-indicators, and lights must be removed from the mast. The strongest side of the mast should be left "clean" to rest on the trailer. Wrapping of poles is optional, but should be considered. Carpet should be provided for the mast at the points of tie down. Expect some chafing at these points. If the mast is painted, its almost impossible to keep the paint from chafing. The driver will not pay to repaint masts if chafing occurs. Do not secure the mast to the boat, as there is space on the career's trailer for the mast. Should the mast be secured to the boat, the driver will not be responsible for any resulting damage to the mast or the boat.

Life lines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if they render the boat over height. On center board sailboats, make sure the board is secured and will stay up in transit. Keel Sailboats expect some preparations where keel joins the hull. This is not structural damage, but rather is the paint or filler cracking at the joint. Light built or racing sailboats can expect some hull indentations generally disappear when the boat is returned to the water. Rudders, sticks, outboards, and anything else that can turn or flap in the wind should be removed and/or well secured.

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR TRAILER FOR ROADWORTHY TRANSPORT

Check tires for wear, dry rot and proper tire inflation pressure and be sure the tread is sufficient and that there are no cracks, bubbles or gouges in the rubber. If the tires are dry rotted replace them. Old tires are tired, so replace them and avoid a costly and dangerous blowout. A spare tire is required.

Remove wheels and hubs; inspect for wear and rough surfaces, turn the drums if necessary.

Service or replace the wheel bearings. Many breakdowns occur die to neglect in this area. If the bearings have not been maintained on a strict schedule or it has been more than 6 months since they were last checked, please have this professionally done. Travel builds up tremendous heat in bearings that have not been properly maintained, easily causing their failure. Bearings exposed to salt water are especially vulnerable. Remove bearings, inspect bearings 7 races for wear. If you replace bearings, also replace the seals. If bearings are OK, repack and install new seals.

Trailers with surge breaks; inspect brakes and hubs for wear, replace brakes and turn hubs if necessary, also check brake fluid level.

Check springs, shackles and bushings for wear and corrosion, replace as necessary.

Remember salt water will destroy trailer wheels, springs and axels if not properly rinsed after each use in salt water.

Check all lights, plug must be in good condition, turn signals and brake lights must work properly, all marker light must work properly, repair or replace as necessary.

Check the lighting system for proper operation and make sure wires are in good condition. If repairs needs to be made, have them done well in advance of the pickup date.

If trailer breaks down driver will repair on the road and show you the receipt for repairs and time involved. You would be responsible for reimbursing driver for parts, labor and time.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

There are 3 options for overseas shipping:

• Roll On/Roll Off – This requires your boat to be on a trailer.

• Enclosed Container – IF your boat fits the dimensions of a standard container 40 FT Long, 7'8" Wide and 7"10" High. There is also a 70 FT long container.

• Flat Rack on Cradle – This is the most common shipping method. A cradle is built to support the vessel maritime offers built-in service. We also recommend shrink wrapping the boat to protect it from debris.
   

When shipping overseas the shipping lines measure cubic dimensions of the vessel in order to confirm rate. We will base your quote on the measurements you provide. If actual dimensions differ, any additional shipping charges are customer’s responsibility. To keep your costs down we recommend removing whatever to keep your length beam and height to least possible. Shipping lines are on a first come/first serve booking system and estimate the ship sail and schedule and delivery.
The time frames given are estimates and not guaranteed schedules.

CONCLUSION
The information provided is just a guide for preparation. Please feel free to contact us, discuss with your boatyard, ask a marine surveyor, gain knowledge. We continue to strive for the best service with professional drivers who care about you and your boat. Timing can be adjusted for numerous reasons. Understand this, communication is critical and with 30 years’ experience Maritime will guide you through for smooth sailing.
 

~Thank you for your consideration~

 

If you are satisfied with our service, let your friends know you have found a reliable professional and courteous source for auto and boat transport.

We work strictly with the best - you should too!