Hi,

Thinking of buying a 1965 37' Chris Craft Constellation. I'm in
California and the boat is on the east coast. I know it will have to be
trucked, but I've never done that before.

The 1st quote I received said I had to have the boat loaded onto their
trailer and unloaded at the destination.

OK, I completely understand the destination part, but.... what is
involved (besides unhooking packing & stowing stuff on the boat) in
placing the boat on the trailer? What do they do, how extensive
(expensive) is it? I sorta figure that putting a 37' 17,000 boat on a
trailer for a 2,000 mile trip is different than plopping the ski boat
in at the local ramp.


Thanks!

They will likely haul the boat with a lift and set it on the trailer,
rather than back the trailer down the ramp. It can and has been done at
a launch ramp, but it is more typically done at a boat yard.

While at the yard, there may be some removals and modifications needed
to bring the total height of the load down to a dimension that will fit
under most overpasses. In some cases, they remove the flybridge
cowling. Radar masts or arches, radio antenna, etc, all need to be
removed and or secured. If you're lucky, the trucker will apply some
adhesive covering to the more forward parts of the load. Expect the
boat to arrive *filthy*, especially after a winter haul.

They will likely haul the boat with a lift and set it on the trailer,
rather than back the trailer down the ramp. It can and has been done at
a launch ramp, but it is more typically done at a boat yard.

While at the yard, there may be some removals and modifications needed
to bring the total height of the load down to a dimension that will fit
under most overpasses. In some cases, they remove the flybridge
cowling. Radar masts or arches, radio antenna, etc, all need to be
removed and or secured. If you're lucky, the trucker will apply some
adhesive covering to the more forward parts of the load. Expect the
boat to arrive *filthy*, especially after a winter haul.

They will likely haul the boat with a lift and set it on the trailer,
rather than back the trailer down the ramp. It can and has been done at
a launch ramp, but it is more typically done at a boat yard.

While at the yard, there may be some removals and modifications needed
to bring the total height of the load down to a dimension that will fit
under most overpasses. In some cases, they remove the flybridge
cowling. Radar masts or arches, radio antenna, etc, all need to be
removed and or secured. If you're lucky, the trucker will apply some
adhesive covering to the more forward parts of the load. Expect the
boat to arrive *filthy*, especially after a winter haul.

Thanks. I was also wondering what is involved in the cradling or
blocking part. Is that something I provide, the yard or the is the
trailer set up to do that.

Thanks!

Cradling and blocking is usually included in a truck transport quote.
It is usually *not* included when you transport by ship, and you're
then required to hire a local company to build a suitable cradle before
the boat is hoisted aboard.