Things To Be Done Before Transporting A Boat/Trailer

[LuvBoating]

First, it's a 1992 Celebrity 200 Cuddy Cabin that will be on a 2004 EZ Load Dual Axil trailer. It will be going Interstate.

Take the stern plug out, so any rainwater can drain out of bilge.

Now, I was told this by a friend that has transported his boat a number of times from Michigan to Florida: "Be sure to put masking tape over the vent on each side of your boat." Ours is on each side of the boat in the back.

Stretch film can be used to cover certain areas.

Anything else we need to know before a hired transport takes our boat away?

 

[ahicks]

Make sure your insurance policy has been paid up to date?

 

[GA_Boater]

Hired transport - Take anything you want to keep out of the boat or securely locked up in the boat. Actually any long distance trip involving overnight stops, even if you are doing the tow.

I guess this will be a flat tow, so check and repack the bearings. Also make sure the tires are good and properly inflated.

Definitely pull the plug - Some states require that for bad species invasion.

 

[Starcraft5834]

taping the vents? why? id be more concerned the spindles are greased properly and the breaks work as they should.

 

[LuvBoating]

Make sure your insurance policy has been paid up to date?

Hired transport has complete insurance and our boat/trailer insurance is paid for 2019-2020.

 

[LuvBoating]

Hired transport - Take anything you want to keep out of the boat or securely locked up in the boat. Actually any long distance trip involving overnight stops, even if you are doing the tow.

I guess this will be a flat tow, so check and repack the bearings. Also make sure the tires are good and properly inflated.

Definitely pull the plug - Some states require that for bad species invasion.

A few things will be in the cuddy cabin, that does lock, including our cockpit cover that he will put on when he gets there.

Our hired transport doesn't do any overnight stops at hotels/motels. He rests in his truck at a Rest Stop, then goes again.

The tires on the trailer are brand new. Each Bearing Buddy has been checked and repacked with marine grease.

 

[LuvBoating]

taping the vents? why? id be more concerned the spindles are greased properly and the breaks work as they should.

Well, our friend told us that the vents should be covered. Don't want a lot of wind-forced rain going into the vents, if he gets into a rainstorm somewhere.

 

[JimS123]

In addition to what has already been said:

* install a transom saver or ram supports for the outdrive.
* Add extra straps over and around to be 100% sure the cover doesn't blow off
* Check the dates on the tires and replace if over 3 years old.
* Put a McGuard lock on the outdrive.
* Don't lock stuff up, but remove the depth finder head, VHF, safety kit, etc.

You must understand that even though he has insurance, his bizness is to get there fast, and he won't make stops to check the tires and bearings like we all do when going on vacation.

I don't understand the vent closing statement. If it were my boat I would leave them open.

EDIT - your last few entries came as I was typing, thus I didn't see them.

 

[LuvBoating]

In addition to what has already been said:

* install a transom saver or ram supports for the outdrive.
* Add extra straps over and around to be 100% sure the cover doesn't blow off
* Check the dates on the tires and replace if over 3 years old.
* Put a McGuard lock on the outdrive.
* Don't lock stuff up, but remove the depth finder head, VHF, safety kit, etc.

You must understand that even though he has insurance, his bizness is to get there fast, and he won't make stops to check the tires and bearings like we all do when going on vacation.

I don't understand the vent closing statement. If it were my boat I would leave them open.

EDIT - your last few entries came as I was typing, thus I didn't see them.

We have drive supports on right now and they will be on when transported.

If any cover is allowed, which I doubt will be, it will be our cockpit cover. It is basically new, with tight snaps.
Fish Finder/Depth Gauge is already removed, as is the cd player face. In the cabin will be a few things we don't want to take in our vehicle and moving company won't take, like a couple of bottles of marine oil and the cockpit cover (if not on the boat).

He will also have a coupler lock/key. He will put the lock on when he delivers the boat and leave the key with the office.

 

[JimS123]

Sounds like your trip is well thought out. Hope you have a good boating summer

 

[LuvBoating]

Sounds like your trip is well thought out. Hope you have a good boating summer

Actually this isn't a trip. We are moving back to Colorado from northeastern Florida. Boating/fishing in freshwater again will be nice.

 

[kpg7121]

Secure the doghouse cover with a ratchet strap if it isn't secured another way. I had mine blow open one time trailering when the latch failed.

 

[JimS123]

Actually this isn't a trip. We are moving back to Colorado from northeastern Florida. Boating/fishing in freshwater again will be nice.

Maybe not for you, but your boat is surely taking a trip.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

I’d check the watercraft inspection laws of each state it will go through and make sure you have it and the trailer cleaned up and ready for these inspections. Something wrong here your transport fees could go up if it delays the driver. Never thought about taping up the vents wonder if it would help reduce yellow jacket nests here nothing like fifty pissed off yellow jackets coming to life on the first warm day everyone is is swim wear to

 

[JimS123]

I provided a list of do and donts but something else just came to mind. Invasive species is a big thing now. For several years now I am met my a nice girlie at the launch ramp with a clipboard. Her vehicle is govt. marked. She always asks where I have been, do I have bilge water, was the hull sterilized, etc.

I don't know about Colorado, but in NY they take launching very seriously. Maybe check on that too.

 

[Blind Date]

The tires on the trailer are brand new. Each Bearing Buddy has been checked and repacked with marine grease.

I'd also jack up each wheel and take the weight off it to check that the bearings are adjusted properly.

 

[Bob_VT]

Cushions secured? Anything you can lift off by hand or open can be opened / lifted by wind on the road. I would not worry about the vents (your choice) since boats on occasion are subjected to moisture

Yes I would double straps and hold downs...... since it's a long trip you could box up items not needed and sucure them in the cabin OR UPS/FEDEX them to your new address

Enjoy your trip

 

[JimS123]

Cushions secured? Anything you can lift off by hand or open can be opened / lifted by wind on the road. I would not worry about the vents (your choice) since boats on occasion are subjected to moisture

Yes I would double straps and hold downs...... since it's a long trip you could box up items not needed and sucure them in the cabin OR UPS/FEDEX them to your new address

Enjoy your trip

Oh yeah, didn't even think of that since I would never trail a boat on the interstate without a trailerable cover. That's one of our games when on vacation - counting the number of boat cushions on the side of the road. If your cushions are not secured by a piano hinge, remove them and store in the cabin.

 

[nola mike]

So who did you end up going with to tow the boat?