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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

How to get the boat -- or Any trailers for rent

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mdh347
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/31/2003 : 10:55:46

I have recently bought a an '81 Catalina 25 Swing Keel; its in the Finger Lakes and I'm in Boston. I need advice on how to get it here. It comes with a steel cradle and is currently stored on land.

It seems either I need to rent a trailer, or hire a boat hauler. I have experience with neither.

Is anyone in the NE interested in renting a trailer and what do I need to look for in a suitable trailer. I'd rather not buy one, 'cause I don't think I have future need. Do I use the cradle on a trailer, or is that just another problem? I know how to rent/borrow a truck to pull it.

If this is folly, does anyone have recommendations on boat haulers to do the deed. All advice greatfully appreciated!

Mort Hoffman

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2003 : 11:54:49

Congratulations, Mort! Welcome to the club.

Well, if you are going 400 miles I think your best bet would be to borrow a boat trailer from someone since you said you will not be needing a trailer once you get to Boston. But then you still need to get the cradle to Boston and it may be a little big for the back of a pickup. In that case you will need another trailer to haul the cradle.

Yes, you could have a marine transport company move the boat for you. Depending on the sturdiness of your cradle, they will lift both the boat and the cradle together onto their trailer and haul it to Boston. This is probably the easiest option for you, but the most expensive. When I bought North Star, I paid $450.00 to have it moved 50-60 miles, but it wouldn't have cost that much more to go 200-300 miles.

There is another option, but it has some inherent risks. I've seen people put their boats and cradles(including wooden) on car hauling/equipment flatbed trailers for local, and sometimes, long distance moves. This is relatively risky because it depends on the sturdiness of the cradle, balance of the load,...etc, but doable. Last spring two Canadiens loaded up a 28 foot boat (They had to beef up the rickety wooden cradle) and towed it 1,000 miles up into the Canadian wilderness. They were going to go as slow as possible(45mph) and take it easy when stopping. The one fellow who was doing the towing said he did this kind of long distance hauling all the time.

I would call a couple of marine transport company's in both your area and in the Finger Lakes just to get an idea of the cost and logistics, then weigh this with the alternatives.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie