When I shipped overland, it seems they quit moving boats after a certain time in the spring. I assumed they switched to moving something else, but after April it looked impossible. My vessel was 14' from keel to top of cabin, so you should be good there. The company I used is based next to Anacortes, I think it was Marysville or something like that. A 32' boat, 18,000 lbs dry, Virginia to Anacortes was $10,000.
If I were in your shoes I would call everyone I could find in the business and see if I could get back hauled after another delivery. The shipper mentioned most vessel movements were from East to West at the time I shipped.
The only issue I can think of with backwards is wind damage to things not normally exposed to wind if it's on a truck and there is "weather" on the transport. The shipper gets concerned about water collecting in the boat.
Zebra mussel control is also an issue, make sure you are up on that. The shipper will expect you to have that handled. The time you are dry counts towards your boat being safe to transport across state lines so it's good to be dry before you ship for a while.
Great info on the zebra mussel. Can anyone elaborate or direct me to what the California requirements are?
Associated Boat Transport, Marysville WA.
Associated boat transport came highly recommended, as I had heard they transport the bulk of the new NTs from the factory.
My experience with them has been poor as has a good friend who is trying to get his newly purchased 38 helmsman out of Canada.
Apparently the company was recently sold to Mark C.
I started calling them in July inquiring what was involved to get my boat shipped and they told me to call them when I got closer to closing. I called them several weeks later and again they told me to call back. I called again a few weeks later and asked if they could put me on a list so if or when they had a truck going to south Florida they could call me for a return haul.
This time they said "sure I'll make a note". And hung up with out ever even taking my name or phone number.
On my fourth time calling I asked how they planned on letting me know if they hadn't even bothered to take a number and name.
I finally had the broker (who works for the south Florida NT dealer) make a call on my behalf and ask as a personal favor if they could help me out or at least recommend a reliable hauler.
They couldn't even give me a referral. Needless to say I'm not impressed with them nor was my buddy. He had a similar experience.
Needless to say I don't have good things to say about Associated boat transport.
Research is the name of this game. Call as many companies as you can find. The internet is great! Just one suggestion, shrink wrap the boat before trucking it. Ask as many dealers as you can for suggestions.
I've heard conflicting things about the shrink wrap. If it tears it can damage the Gelcoat? As of now, I don't plan on having it wrapped.
You are saying that the boat height is 12'5" so when it is on the truck this will put it over the 13' clearance on all US highways. This is the problem I had when shipping, over height , meant following a certain route . AKDOUG is right on the Zebra mussel, I had to have our boat clean with bleach and something else before shipping and the driver had to have a copy of the invoice saying what had been done. GOOD LUCK
I'm interested in anything about the zebra mussel regulations.
I found a shipper who seems qualified and will be picking up the boat this coming Tuesday.
I've got my fingers crossed all goes well.