General Information for Transportation of Your Boat

Please note that all quotes are in accordance with current operating tariff for the dimension of the boat. If the boat is different in dimensions than stated at time of quote additional charges may apply. All freight charges are due and payable upon delivery in the form of a cashier's check or certified check made payable to Load A Boat, Inc. If deliver and/or pick up is delayed more than two (2) hours, in addition to all other freight charges, there will be a $55.00 per hour charge, which will be payable before offloading of the boat.

All of our drivers are experienced on transportation of most all types of boats. We take the utmost care to deliver your boat in the best condition. However, please keep in mind that the boat has be strong enough to withstand overland shipment. Load A Boat, Inc cannot take responsibility for damage due to inherent dry rot or weakness, wind damage, or other acts of god. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.

BOAT TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

This boat preparation guide was compiled to assist the boat owner in properly preparing and securing the boat for overland transportation. Please make every effort to prepare the boat according to these guidelines. Oversee the preparation yourself or have an authorized yard person do so. Load A Boat, Inc. cannot be responsible for damage due to improper preparation or loading by the shipper, of faulty or defective cradles, trailers, chains, binders or other equipment provided by the shipper to secure the cargo.

NOTE: If boat is not properly prepared for shipment, the boat will be shipped "AS IS" and Load A Boat, Inc. will not accept responsibility for any resulting damage.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The legal height for transporting over the road is 13'6". Please choose a marina or boatyard that has a travel lift, overhead lift, marine forklift, or crane if needed. Please make sure that the boatyard has sufficient overhead clearances, with no low tree branches or phone or power wire on it's approach.

If you choose a marina or boatyard to which there is no clear access, Load A Boat, Inc. cannot accept responsibility for damage caused by branches or wires. The larger the boat(s), the higher the clearance required. Unless previously discussed, freight amount quotes is for legal height of 13'6" loaded on our trailer. If your boat loads higher, a freight surcharge will be added to your freight amount.

The driver will perform a survey only of the exterior of the boat. The condition of the boat will be noted on a condition report. You or your agent will be asked to sign this report at the point of pickup. At delivery, the boat will again be inspected; the condition report will then be verified by both the driver and customer or representative. Any damage noted by you or your representative upon delivery must be noted on the bill-of-lading that you sign when you accept the boat.

BASICS

General

Stow all loose gear and secured. All gear stored below must be well secure. Load A Boat, Inc. will not assume 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 DO NOT ship household goods under any circumstances.

Please take effort to make sure that fuel and water tanks are as empty as possible. 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.

Disconnect batteries and secure. Remove anchors from the deck.

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

Canvas Covers/Shrink Wrap

All canvas covers must be removed as they will tear or fly off during transportation. If they are not removed, Load A Boat, Inc. cannot be responsible for damages to the boat or loss of the cover. Shrink wrap may tear off during transit, our drivers carry shrink wrap tape and will try to repair the shrink wrap, however, if the shrink wrap becomes unrepairable, it will be removed to avoid damage caused by the shrink wrap beating against the boat in the wind. Load A Boat, Inc. will not be held responsible.

Cradles/Trailers

If you boat has it's 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, Load A Boat, Inc. will not accept responsibility. If you are shipping your boat on it's own , Load A Boat, Inc. cannot accept responsibility should the rollers or frame cause damage, or if the trailer breaks apart, causing damage.

Dinghies

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

All electronics, radar, jailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc. should be removed, packed securely and stowed below, Load A Boat, Inc. will not be responsible if they are damaged, stolen, or if they vibrate off.

Hatches

Tie and/or tape hatches from the outside. Load A Boat, Inc. cannot be responsible for the damage they may cause if blown off in transportation, or for damage to the boat caused by rain water if a hatch blows off.

If the hatches leak, seal them. A boat will not sit in the same position on our trailer as it does in the water and Load A Boat, Inc. cannot be responsible for rain water entering through leaking hatch or deck.

Windows/Windshields

Cabin windows should be latched and taped from the outside.

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

Additional Instructions for Sailboats

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. Load A Boat, Inc. will not pay to repaint masts if chafing occurs. Do not secure the mast to the boat as there is a space on our trailer for the mast. Should the mast be secured to the boat, Load A Boat, Inc. will not be held responsible for any resulting damage to the mast or the boat.

Life lines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if the boat is over height. Generally over 12' - 12' 6" from the keel to highest point of the boat.

On center board 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. Lightly 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 Information for Power Boats

Remove all propellers, flag masts, lights, outriggers, antennas, etc.

If your power boat 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 power boat 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. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

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