Moving a 46 roamer north - help!

I also couldn't help but chuckle at the ad for this boat: "It is turn key with no issues."

uh huh. lol

This is what the mufflers look like on gas boats:






And here's the rot problem I had with mine:

Moving A 45' Roamer N

Anxious to hear probable resolution of your project

I'm not sure about your boat but I took the fly bridge off my 37 in about 2 hours. Except for the last 10 minutes to move it it was a one person job.

Truckn it

Heres my 2 cents based on my experience. Sounds like getting in deeper than expected already

1) Marinas and marina repairs will eat you alive get out as fast as you can as well as every one else. Get it on dry land so you can really determine what you have.

2) My rule you can make 3 mistakes for the price of a pro. Know your limitations, if it can be done with a sawzall you can do it. If the tool costs over $500 bucks and you will only use it once thats a good sign its a job for the pro.

2) Cheapest transport is by truck by far

3) Buy your own equipment if you can

Cheapest qoute I got to move my 37' to Cali when I bought her was $13K. I have bought 2 trailers and a truck for about $20K and can now move the Roamer at will.

Yours is a bit bigger (bigger = bigger bucks) but you can find a descent trailer for $20K and it will pay for itself in 3 moves or sell it when you get it home.

You can rent truck $120/day 15 cents a mile, driver $.50 to $1.00 mile and dont let em tell you BS about permits there pretty cheap. You will most likely need pilot cars though and that can be a few $$ but again if you make the calls yourself not bad.

I am on Uship and you can PM me for more details on how I would do it if interested

The cheap often turns out expensive.

I'm sorry to hear about the mishap. But, it's precisely why a Captain is cheap insurance.

You might want to change that to a 'good' captain. According to post 1 he had 2 captains doing the move.

Boat in Missouri

"and he bought it back to try and recoup some money"
Just keeps making poor decisions.

That usually starts with the one to buy a boat. The more you try to save on a boat, the more expensive it becomes.

I have a similar issue trying to bring a 36' Roamer down from the great lakes to SC. While I have been quoted "reasonable" shipping fees of around $4500 I have instead chosen to get my own "shipping gear". I have found out it is far better to build one's own trailer to exactly fit your boat and it is weight than to purchase one for way too much that is like putting a triangle under a cinder block and expecting it to be stable. While I do intend on floating the boat down in the spring I do expect issues and most likely a costly breakdown so I can haul it home myself if it becomes necessary.

While I can build a 8.5 foot wide 20,000 lb carrying capacity 40 foot trailer for about $2400 and buy an old semi tractor for about 4,000 to haul it with (1964 Mack that's ugly as sin but runs perfectly is what I am looking at) I will be able to haul the critter where ever I want to at will. Permit costs aren't that expensive and run about $25-60 per state... you are limited as to what days and times you can move it.... As my boat is right at the max wide legal limit without a chase car life is pretty good for hauling with the setup I am putting together.

I also bought a "water ready" vessel but I did a through inspection of it myself before taking that 'water ready' comment with more than a grain of salt which is why I chose to winter it in dry dock in Detroit. No vessel is water ready if it has 1) no batteries 2) no bilge pumps 3) leaks in the hull (albeit very small pin holes in 3 places) 4) no working blowers 5) 3 year old gas in the gas tanks 6) non working fresh water system. 7) Zero electronics and not even a working compass 8) a missing windshield. 9) clogged limber holes 10) the water intake hoses are cracked. 11) unknown wiring condition for nav lights. I do have to admit the engines and trannies are in good shape and it has new props and prop shafts.

Sure this vessel could be dropped in the water and it might even float for a few days in that condition... so about 2 weeks of hard work, some welding, a truck load of essentials (blowers, pumps batteries, various tubing, waste fuel removal, lots of wiring and plumbing, welding equipment, paint, wood, glass, necessary nav gear (at least a gps, compass and radio) I might be ready to try floating the critter home to SC... it would be a fun trip. but I would be prepared to have to dock it and drop it on a trailer should something bad happen. With boats.... the one thing I learned very quickly with my first one ( a 21 foot cobia bowrider, then 45 Chris commander) Is you need to be willing to get down and dirty with your boat, or be prepared to pay for it. First thing I did when I bought a steel boat was take welding classes to get my welding certification. Second thing I did when I was quoted big bucks to move my boat was thinking of how many times I would move it over the lifetime of owning it... and said... hmmm build and buy the right gear to move it myself. so in total I spending about 10,000 to move my boat in fuel and equipment expenses... but forever more I will be able to keep my boat close at home to work on her restorations during the winter months and enjoy her on the lakes and ocean during the summer. My only expenses then would be fuel, permit fees, and hoist costs. (I am not insane enough to try launching a 17000 lb 36' boat by backing down a ramp. having a 6,000 lb cobia pull a 4x4 Jeep Cherokee with the brakes locked down a slime covered ramp to over the back bumper in water was plenty enough embarrassment for a lifetime)

Once it's fully restored I could probably sell my shipping gear as I could trust the old girl to carry me anywhere I want via the waterways... or "shrug" get my CDL license and help out others

As I started reading your post I was thinking 'this is a suspenders and belt, way overly cautious I don't know what'. But as I got further I realized that you've got a thorough handle on the situation and know how to be properly prepared. Good adventure ahead. I did the trip from Detroit for the 1st time last year, and down the coast 27 times. I hope you get to most if not all on the water. You'll love it.
So only to the back bumper, eh? Sure it's not the one circulating on the net totally submerged? LOL.
Sounds like you're in for a hard working, fun spring and summer. Good luck. Keep a photo record of the move and rebuild, and keep us updated. Sounds interesting.

I launch my 36' Roamer down a ramp every spring and fall. No need for a lift.

If you're not used to doing it or you've got a steep ramp that's a lot of boat. Making the first ramp a haulout is a good way to get a feel for it. Beats launching your truck.

"Kill the bear"

What one man can do another can do - Kill the bear (movie the Edge 1997)

Go 4 it, I did. Here some free advice learned at my expense buying a truck, 2 trailers and hauling my 37 footer from Wisconson to CA. See my pics posted earlier in this thread.

1) For the price of your truck and trailer build, I could probably get you a decent used trailer and move your boat for around $7-10,000 depending on details or move your boat for between $2-3000. I have two trailers for around $5,000. One is a 40 footer and other is 53.

2) dont buy a truck -trucks are cheap, insurance, tags, DOT and fuel permits for trucks is not nor are broken down trucks. Unless you are going into business and will move enough loads to make about 20 grand a year it does not pay. Save your money and put into the boat. PM for info on how to rent a semi truck daily for about the price of a SUV.

3) Dont build a trailer - buy a used. PM I know of a number of trailers available you can buy 4 from 5-10k, save your welding skills for trailer improvements to custom fit your boat. IMHO Your home built will have no resale, will run into inspection problems with DOT and will cost you more in materials for over the road travel than purchasing. You could do a decent yard trailer for the $2500 not a hwy legal. I also am a source to rent large boat trailers probably less than your estimated cost to build. PM for details.