Vessel Preparation Guide for Overland Transport

These guidelines were compiled to assist the boat owner in properly securing and preparing the boat for overland transport.  Please make every effort to properly prepare and secure your vessel. The carrier cannot be responsible for damage due to improper preparation by shipper, for faulty or defective cradles, trailers, chains, binders or other equipment provided by the shipper to secure cargo. 

NOTE: IF BOAT IS NOT PROPERLY PREPARED FOR SHIPMENT, BOAT WILL BE SHIPPED "AS IS" AND SPECIALTY INVESTMENTS, INC. WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RESULTING DAMAGE.

The legal height for transporting over the road is 13' 6.". If you choose a marina or boatyard to which there is no clear access, the carrier cannot accept responsibility for damage caused by branches or wires.  Unless previously discussed, freight amount quoted is for legal height of 13' 6" loaded on the carrier’s trailer. If your boat loads higher than 12’, a freight surcharge will be added to your freight amount. Usually something can be taken off (like a fly bridge or bow pulpit) trailer, which will also lower the overall height of the load.

Boats that are over 8'6 wide are considered an "oversize load" and will require permits to be trucked in every state. These permits will be obtained by us and are included as part of the hauling charges. Boats that are over 12' wide may require a "certified escort". This too is an extra charge that will be included in your hauling charges. The only other time you will run into extra charges is if we are re-routed by the state when ordering the oversized permits. This will happen when there is road construction or some other detour that will not allow your boat to go on that particular road. When we are re-directed it adds additional mileage to the trip you will be charged per mile over and above the mileage quoted in your contract for this particular haul.

The driver will perform a survey only of the exterior of the boat. If there is a condition of the boat that was not indicated to hauler at the time of the booking of the load, it will be noted on the bill of lading or on a condition report. You or your agent will be asked to sign this report at the point of pickup; a copy of this report will be given to you or your agent at that time. At delivery, the boat will again be inspected; the condition report again signed and another copy will be given to you or your agent. Any damage noted by you or your agent upon delivery must be noted on the bill-of-lading that you sign when you or your agent accepts delivery of the boat. Bill of Ladings must be signed at the time of the delivery of the boat

BASICS
1. Stow all loose gear and secure. All gear stored below must be well secured. The carrier will not accept responsibility for damage caused by loose gear. Lock the cabin. YOU keep the key. DO NOT give the key to the driver. Boat gear only: we cannot ship household goods.

2. Boats should not be shipped with fuel or water in tanks. If possible, please drain fuel and water tanks. Remove any drain plugs from the hull. There should not be any water in the bilge while it is being transported. During winter months, water should be drained from water systems, pumps, air conditioners, etc.

3. Disconnect batteries and secure. Remove anchors from the deck.

4. Please expect normal road dirt on the boat. Wooden boats can be expected to dry out. A coat of linseed oil will help.

CANVAS COVERS/SHRINK WRAP
5. All canvas covers must be removed as they will tear or fly off during transit. If they are not removed, the carrier cannot be responsible for damages. The carrier will ship shrink-wrapped boats, however the shrink wrap may tear or fly off in transit. The carrier’s do carry extra shrink wrap tape and every effort will be made to repair the shrink wrap, however, if the shrink wrap becomes unrepairable, it will be removed to avoid damage from the shrink wrap beating against the boat. The carrier will not be held responsible.

CRADLES/TRAILERS
6. If your boat has its own cradle, please inspect it carefully for loose bolts or weakness of any kind. If your cradle breaks in transit, causing damage to your boat, the carrier cannot accept responsibility. If you are shipping your boat on its own trailer, the carrier cannot accept responsibility should the rollers or frame cause damage, or if the trailer breaks apart, causing damage.

DINGHIES
7. If you are shipping a dinghy on board or if you have had to remove any superstructure, these items should be well padded. DO NOT leave dinghy on davits.

EXTERNAL ACCESSORIES
8. All electronics, radar, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc., must be removed, packed securely and securely stored below. The carrier will not be responsible if they are damaged or if they vibrate off.

HATCHES
9. Tie and/or tape hatches from the outside. The carrier cannot be responsible for the damage they may cause if they blow off in transit or for damage to the boat caused by rain water if a hatch blows off.

10. If the hatches leak, seal them. A boat will not sit in the same position on the carrier's trailer as it does in the water and the carrier cannot be responsible for rain water entering through a leaky hatch or deck.

WINDOWS/WINDSHIELDS
11. Cabin windows should be latched and taped from the outside.

12. All windshields and/or Plexiglas that protrude over the flying bridge should be removed, packed with a cargo blanket and should be well secured below. The carrier will not be responsible for any damage that occurs if they are not removed and properly packed and secured.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAILBOATS
13. All rigging, winches, wind indicators, and lights must be removed from the mast. Carpet should be provided for the mast at the points of tie down. Expect some chafing at these points. If the mast is painted, it is almost impossible to keep the paint from chafing. The carrier will not pay to repaint masts if chafing occurs. Do not secure the mast to the boat, as there is a space on the carrier’s trailer for the mast.

If when discussed with hauler the mast is to be secured on the top of the boat, it is the customer’s responsibility to make sure that the mast will not move. It should be secured side to side and front and back. Hauler will make sure that the mast is tight before trucking. However, it is not hauler’s responsibility to lash it down entirely unless customer has requested hauler to do so at an additional cost.

Life lines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if they render the boat over height, generally over 12' keel to highest point not on the carrier’s trailer.

14. On centerboard sailboats, make sure the board is secured and will stay up in transit. Keel sailboats may expect some separation where the 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 indentation from the support pads. These indentations generally disappear when the boat is returned to the water.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR POWERBOATS
15. Remove all propellers, flag masts, lights, outriggers, antennas, etc.

16. If your powerboat is low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, remove all lights, wheels, masts and windshields that protrude over the bridge. All Plexiglas should be removed and packed below with a cargo blanket. If your powerboat is not low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, you will have to have a cradle built for the bridge to be shipped in on the forward deck or cockpit area. Every point touching the deck or rails must be sufficiently padded. Remove all electronics and valuable items from the bridge, pack securely, and store below.

 TRANSPORTING YOUR BOAT ON ITS OWN TRAILER, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES

17. Service or replace the wheel bearings. Many breakdowns occur due 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.

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

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

20. Specialty Investments, Inc. cannot be responsible for your trailer if it is not in excellent condition. Please do not ask us to transport a boat on a trailer that is not fit for travel. We cannot afford to jeopardize our safety or equipment, or your boat. You will be responsible for any repairs, damage or problems caused by your trailer. Unnecessary breakdowns are far more costly than routine maintenance.

If you have any questions, please call Specialty Investments, Inc. at 530-209-0402