Sailboat Transport Preparation Guide

First, the sailboat mast needs to be removed and partially disassembled, properly resting in its cradle. It is best to disassemble one piece at a time, coil it, and mark where it came from, which makes it easier and quicker when reassembling it. You need to remove the spreaders and store them below, and you need to bring the halyards up tight and coil them at the mast’s base. All winches, etc. and electronic antennas need to be removed as they are delicate and do not travel well. To keep your mast, winches, and sheaves clean and dirt free, wrap them in cellophane like a candy cane. Anchors in a bow roller need to be removed and stowed, as just securing it is not good enough. When getting ready for a sailboat transport unfortunately there is additional work that needs to be done after your boat is hauled out, compared to a powerboat. All lights, winches, wind indicators, and rigging must be removed from the mast and carpet provided for the mast’s tie down points, although you should expect chafing at these points, and if the mast is painted, it is nearly impossible to prevent the paint from chafing. The transporter will not repaint, or pay to repaint the masts if this occurs. Please, do not secure your mast to your boat, as the transport trailers provide a space for the mast.

On most sailboats height is not an issue until the boat gets up in the 40’ range. There is deck gear that presents problems that are unique to sailboats. Stanchions, winches, bow and stern pulpits, even the helm sometimes sticks up a great deal. Every effort should be made to reduce the height as much as possible in sailboats that the overall loaded height exceeds 13’6” if at all possible. This may not be possible is cases where deck winches or other gear is bedded in really tough or fasteners are not readily accessible for removal. Transporting Sailboats at times can be trying, but with a little effort, issues related to height can be avoided. Sailboats that are over height on the transport trailer will need a pole car and this increases the cost of the transport. If the move is a short one, under 400 hundred miles most of the time it is more cost effective to transport the sailboat with a pole car over height, than it is to go through the effort of removing stubborn deck gear. It needs to be said here that using the proper equipment is critical when moving boats of all kinds. When height is a problem the correct trailer designed for sailboats and a experienced driver to transport oversize boats assisting the loader can save you the customer a great deal of money.

All deck gear needs to be stowed for any sailboat  transport. All lines need to be secured if they lead aft to the cockpit. We are not concerned about small amounts fuel or water removal on sailboats. If a sailboat is over the 40’ range fuel and water may have to be removed to reduce the weight. In winter, proper winterization should be employed to prevent freezing problems. Keel sailboats could experience some separation where the keel joins the hull, although it is likely due to the paint and filler cracking and not structural damage. On centerboard sailboats, please secure the board so that it will remain upright during transport. Racing and light built sailboats may expect indentation in the hull from the support pads, which normally disappear when the boat is put back in the water.

Interior items, floating free, need to be secured properly and stowed to prevent damage.