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.

It begs the question: why wasn't the o/b removed and stowed prior to
shipment? I would think that would be mandatory and should have been noticed
by the shipper.
E
"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.

Dave wrote:
On Tue, 3 May 2005 21:25:58 -0400, "Eric" said:


It begs the question:


http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/begs.html

"If you’re not comfortable with formal terms of logic, it’s best to stay
away from this phrase, or risk embarrassing yourself."
curious -considering the ass-kicking you've taken in tonight's earlier
rounds- that you would raise the one point that illuminates the central
and critical failure in your "argumentation"
go do something useful with yourself
don't you have a gun to clean somewhere?

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.

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.

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.

On Tue, 03 May 2005 18:03:06 -0500, sherwindu wrote:

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.

Why are you crossposting? Why did you leave the outboard on the bracket? Why
didn't you just put the outboard in your trunk? Doesn't sound like good
preparation to me.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

100 HP outboard on a sailboat?

"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.

I've shipped several boats, 6 to 13 ton (33 to 38ft) and the hauler always
preferred and recommended that the mast (or dingy) be transported on the
trailer. They just don't like anything on deck and the trailer is easier to
monitor..

The owner is always responsible for securing all gear remaining mounted or
in the interior. I learned from others, much like yourself, the all gear
inside needs to be lashed and secured for the worst of conditions. There is
a lot of vibration and severe motion when these haulers are doing highway
speeds (or more) and braking for stops and turns.

I always shutter when I see a boat owner transporting any outboard motor on
a bracket, even on his own trailer. Hell of a strain on the hardware or the
transom. All it takes is a speed bump to break something, not to mention a
cross country trip.

Sorry I don't have much simpathy and hope you learn from this experience.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

My apologies for lack of clarity. I meant to say 100 pounds weight. Seems
like people are overlooking the fact that this truck did a panic stop. All the preparation
possible would not prevent some sort of damage. I flew down to Florida especially to
pack up the boat, so I couldn't take the engine back as extra luggage. There was no
room inside the boat for this engine, crammed full with dinghy engine, collapsed dinghy,
boom, etc. Had the engine been inside or in the cockpit, I'm afraid even worse damage would have
been incurred. It's easy to blame the owner for improper packing of the boat, but there is no
excuse for bad driving. I have made the trip to Florida dozens of time by auto, and never had to
make any kind of panic stop because
I kept a safe distance from other vehicles. I would expect professional truck drivers
to do the same. This driver was either half asleep after making the trip in under 2 days, or he was
spaced out on something.

Sherwin D.

Steve wrote:

I've shipped several boats, 6 to 13 ton (33 to 38ft) and the hauler always
preferred and recommended that the mast (or dingy) be transported on the
trailer. They just don't like anything on deck and the trailer is easier to
monitor..

The owner is always responsible for securing all gear remaining mounted or
in the interior. I learned from others, much like yourself, the all gear
inside needs to be lashed and secured for the worst of conditions. There is
a lot of vibration and severe motion when these haulers are doing highway
speeds (or more) and braking for stops and turns.

I always shutter when I see a boat owner transporting any outboard motor on
a bracket, even on his own trailer. Hell of a strain on the hardware or the
transom. All it takes is a speed bump to break something, not to mention a
cross country trip.

Sorry I don't have much simpathy and hope you learn from this experience.

--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions