Sorry Sherwin: When you had mentioned a mast, I just thought that (as I have
one) it was a normal sized sailboat. As it appears now to be an extra large
sailboat housing a 100 hp outboard motor (can't say that I have seen one of
those) I guess I jumped the gun. Perhaps lessons learned here - choose your
transport company well (get recommendations/endorsements), be there to
ensure it is loaded properly, take pictures, and document (and have the
driver sign) any observed anomalies. And, not that we can all do this, but
if possible, travel behind the transport vehicle keeping your camera at the
ready. Is hiring a lawyer to fight your claim out of the question? It has
been a wakeup call for me (and perhaps other readers) who plans on having
his 5500 pound sailboat transported next year. Thanks for posting. Good
luck.
E

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Reply All,
The boat was in fact very well prepared for transport. What was I to do
with a
100 outboard engine, put it in the cockpit or on the deck? That sound
like a formula
for disaster. Amazing how everyone jumped to the defense of this poor
trucker.
Am I supposed to be grateful that they didn't total my boat. Some of
these trucking
companies go under the assumption that you have to expect some damage. I
don't
buy that. If I were a large company shipping my 500000 dollar yacht, you
can be sure they would
have taken care of any damage. This cowboy trucker was probably
driving too close to the vehicle ahead, or fell asleep at the wheel. They
are only supposed to
drive 8 hours a day, but he made the trip in just over 1 1/2 days, as the
only driver. Well, if nobody complains, these companies will continue
their bad
practices. Seems like nobody cares, and thank goodness, I don't plan any
future
transports.

Sherwin D.


Doug Dotson wrote:

I guess if the truck had slammed into another vehicle you would be
happier.
At least you would have gotten a chunk of change from the insurance
company.
Sounds like the boat was not well prepared for transport. Sudden stops
are a
part of life when on the road. Have to wonder how well prepared it is for
sailing?

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Recently shipped my sailboat from Florida to Racine Wisconsin using
American Boat Transport.
When boat arrived, mast on deck had shifted foward about 2 feet,
although
it was secured well
in three places. Driver says he noticed shift while driving down the
highway. More like he had
to do a panic stop. Everything inside the boat was tossed about.
Hanging
nets came down, etc.
Only after the driver left Racine did I notice the outboard bracket was
cracked, and luckily the
engine did not fall off the boat. American Boat refuses to accept
responsibility for this, or pay
for
a new bracket. There are many reputable boat transporters. I just
picked
a bad one.

Sherwin D.