BajaNomad

Shipping a Boat to La Paz from SF Bay area

Kgryfon - 2-17-2013 at 06:06 PM

Anyone ever shipped their boat down - SF to La Paz, I'm thinking. 28 foot Carver cruiser. Wondering what it costs/how to arrange. Then, covered berth fees in La Paz? Deciding whether it's cheaper to sell it and buy another, or ship it down. Thanks!

comitan - 2-17-2013 at 06:29 PM

No covered berths La Paz.

http://bajasur.en.craigslist.com.mx/

Kgryfon - 2-17-2013 at 06:56 PM

Thanks for the info!

desertcpl - 2-17-2013 at 07:44 PM

I think there is some miss communications here

are you wanting a covered boat slip as in shade?
that will not happen in Baja as far as I know

how are you thinking about tranporting your boat,,

at one time during my summer months, I did help tranport boats to Cabo, 31'sportfishers, yours would work okay on a strudy trailer, or there is a shipping company that takes boat to Baja, they put them on their desks
if your thinking about transporting it on land, there are several companys doing this,, but you need to watch one company as they have had alot of complaints that have been posted here on Nomads

Kgryfon - 2-17-2013 at 10:36 PM

I was looking for a berth that is under a cover (like a big aluminum shed), and a boat to ship my boat down. I don't tow my boat; it stays in the water.

28' Carver to La Paz

skippermike - 2-18-2013 at 07:17 AM

As noted above, I am not aware of any covered slips in La Paz.
I am not aware of any ships going S.F. to LaPaz carrying boats. Maybe Ensenada to La Paz. But then you'd have to bring the boat from S.F. to Ensenada - probably not a good idea in your boat.
Trucking it would work, as suggested - but likely $$$. I'm not aware of anyone doing the Baja route - used to be, but I haven't seen them around for a while in San Diego.
There were recently people doing a S.D. to AZ to Guaymas route. For more $$$ they could pick up in S.F. Guaymas to La Paz could be doable in your boat.
All in all this sounds expensive and a pain to do.
I'm betting your earlier idea of buying a boat in LaPaz is not a bad idea.
Good luck.

Cappy - 2-18-2013 at 08:25 AM

There is two company's that might help. Dockwise and yachtpath. As noted sell it and by one in la Paz I have captained boats all over Mexico never seen a boathouse.

desertcpl - 2-18-2013 at 10:28 AM

28' Carver is a very nice boat,, it would work very well in Baja

you might find that buying a boat in MX might be problematic

and maybe not all that many in your range that would be available

Alan - 2-18-2013 at 06:42 PM

What is the beam? That would be a huge factor to me for bringing it down the highway by anyone.

Alan - 2-18-2013 at 06:45 PM

If you still have a standard 8.5' beam you might consider buying a trailer and towing it down. When not in use you can storage it at La Paz storage near the airport that does have covered parking.

Udo - 2-18-2013 at 06:58 PM

Personally...
I would hire someone to sail the boat to from SF to San Carlos Bay...near Puerto Peņasco in Sonora.
Way cheaper storage...especially dry docking.

I personally can handle up to a 60' boat to Baja. We can talk about the price later after you decide what you wish to do.

Carver boat to La Paz

skippermike - 2-19-2013 at 12:49 AM

If you look on YachtWorld.com you'll see that beam is 11' 10"
That is oversize, with permit.
All the ones I see are with gas V-8s.
I don't know about you, but I have done 30+ deliveries up and down Baja - no thanks on a gas boat with limited fuel from S.F.
The delivery, by water or truck, would be a large % of the value of the boat.
No offense to OP, but I still suggest not a great idea. Your idea of getting a suitable boat in La Paz still makes sense.

Hook - 2-19-2013 at 06:02 AM

I think the beam is 11'01". But still a permit situation.

I dont think the range would allow that thing to be "sailed" anywhere. Twin gas and only 150 gallons of capacity seems the norm. For a boat that displaces 10,300 lbs, dry, (and with a flybridge) the economy must be horrid.

Have to agree with skippermike. Sell it NOB and buy something SOB. Everything else is just an expensive headache.

Buying a boat in Mexico is not hard.

[Edited on 2-19-2013 by Hook]

Brought 30' Grady White last fall

capitolkat - 2-19-2013 at 08:53 AM

I brought my 30' Grady White from Long Beach last fall. This was after I had looked at buying here versus bringing a boat from the states. Comparable boats were almost twice the price here in MX to the fire sale prices on US boats. It's easy for some folks to say go ahead and sell your Carver--but it just isn't that easy as the used boat market is really soft in California.

That said-- towing a boat from California down the peninsula is a nightmare with an oversized load. In California you would have to have a special permit, a lead vehicle with the wide load warning. I hired a professional mover who put my 30' boat on a low boy trailer in Long Beach. It also was a wide load and had some height issues that cost me in Ensenada and Cuidad Constitution to have people hold the low electric wires and of course the policia had their hands out for managing traffic though both towns. The company knew the drill and had advised me ahead of time what to expect.

if you are interested shoot me a PM and I'll give you the company info, my research on La Paz marinas- I looked at and priced them all, and shipping companies I talked to and the approximate cost from Long Beach.

Norm

CarlVon - 2-21-2013 at 12:35 PM

I recently had a 36' Aft Cabin Sea Ray shipped from Channel Islands (Oxnard), CA. to Puerto Penasco, Sonora.
The company that I hired was out of Guadalajara.
If you message me, I can explain the process.

Alan - 2-21-2013 at 01:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CarlVon
I recently had a 36' Aft Cabin Sea Ray shipped from Channel Islands (Oxnard), CA. to Puerto Penasco, Sonora.
The company that I hired was out of Guadalajara.
If you message me, I can explain the process.
I believe the road into Pueto Penasco is relatively straight with shoulders and a far cry from many sections of Hwy 1 to La Paz. I just can't picture bringing an 11' wide load down without a few pilot cars that can shut down the road in many sections.

CarlVon - 2-21-2013 at 01:38 PM

Pilot cars were required in Mexico, the boat entered at Mexicali.
Had to have special permits, customs broker and special permit.

RnR - 2-21-2013 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CarlVon
Pilot cars were required in Mexico, the boat entered at Mexicali.
Had to have special permits, customs broker and special permit.


Bringing a boat down Mex 1 is doable, just a bit logistically complicated.

On the way down in October, we met a WIDE LOAD boat being hauled north on Mex 1 between Insurgentes and Loreto. The boat, (actually a very wide barge), was probably
14 ft wide! Not kidding!

It was escorted by a Policia Federale who was clearing the highway, then a second Federale car, then a wide load signed pickup, then the boat, and then followed by a third Federale. Their speed was about 20 mph.

So, obviously, there is a process and it is doable.

Alan - 2-21-2013 at 10:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Quote:
Originally posted by CarlVon
Pilot cars were required in Mexico, the boat entered at Mexicali.
Had to have special permits, customs broker and special permit.


Bringing a boat down Mex 1 is doable, just a bit logistically complicated.

On the way down in October, we met a WIDE LOAD boat being hauled north on Mex 1 between Insurgentes and Loreto. The boat, (actually a very wide barge), was probably
14 ft wide! Not kidding!

It was escorted by a Policia Federale who was clearing the highway, then a second Federale car, then a wide load signed pickup, then the boat, and then followed by a third Federale. Their speed was about 20 mph.

So, obviously, there is a process and it is doable.
My thoughts exactly but a heck of a request to do 900 miles. Perhaps he should look into purchasing some fuel bladders for the required range and cruise on down.

Kgryfon - 2-21-2013 at 11:34 PM

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the beam would be a problem, and the fly bridge as well, to tow it. Hook has it about right! I just had the engines replaced (twin 350s) and did a bunch of other work on it and I would hate to get rid of it. Maybe taking a long cruise down would be a better idea. The last time I was in La Paz I met a guy who was having his boat shipped. I happened to be out fishing the next day and saw the "shipping" ship loading up with boats going back up north, which is why I thought of it for my boat. Photo here :




[Edited on 2-22-2013 by Kgryfon]

Kgryfon - 2-21-2013 at 11:46 PM

...and he is a she...:lol: Here's my boat, and the kind of berth I am looking for. She's an old boat and I'd like to keep her out of the blazing sun if possible.

Hook - 2-21-2013 at 11:58 PM

What does that boat get per nautical mile? About .75 gallons/nm? Maybe less?

I guess if you got some fuel bladders (gasoline bladders! sounds dangerous!!) and kept your speed down, you might be able to cruise it to La Paz from San Felipe. A fueling in BOLA, then Santa Rosalia, Pto. Escondido.

But isnt this boat only worth around 15-20k? The cost of getting it down there probably is AT LEAST half value of the boat, even if everything goes right.

Kgryfon - 2-22-2013 at 12:13 AM

She burns some gas, that's for sure! I don't know what it's worth right now; I haven't had it appraised since I bought it and I've had the engines replaced since then, redone all the upholstery, etc. From the sounds of it you are probably right about the cost, but I thought It was worth asking the question. Lots of good leads here that I will follow up on. If shipping it by boat is too much I think I have no choice but to sell it. Sounds like towing it is not an option. Cruising down would probably cost as much in gas as the boat is worth!

desertcpl - 2-22-2013 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
What does that boat get per nautical mile? About .75 gallons/nm? Maybe less?

I guess if you got some fuel bladders (gasoline bladders! sounds dangerous!!) and kept your speed down, you might be able to cruise it to La Paz from San Felipe. A fueling in BOLA, then Santa Rosalia, Pto. Escondido.

But isnt this boat only worth around 15-20k? The cost of getting it down there probably is AT LEAST half value of the boat, even if everything goes right.




I agree with you, I dont think the boats value is worth the cost of having it transported,

and if your still thinking that you want a covered slip
they just dont exist in Baja,

[Edited on 2-22-2013 by desertcpl]

gnukid - 2-22-2013 at 10:57 AM

So, the costs of transposrt via sea and berth may be compared to the costs of charter as well. Let's guesstimate costs for 1 yr

SF to LAP 1775.40 as the crow flies
actual by boat estimated 2000 miles (likely much more)

est consumption 2.5 miles/gallon 2000miles / 2.5mpg = 800 @ $5 gallon = $4000 fuel

add miscellaneous fuel $1000
total est fuel $5000 (approx)

Year fuel charge 333 miles/month @ 4000 miles = $10,000

Berth $400/m @ 12m =$4800

Maintenance and crew @ 12 months $300/month @ 12m = $3600

Total minimal yr costs = $23,400 not including beer, ice, bait, entertinment, repairs and emergenices

Compare total costs to charter options with local rental, arrive at dock and go fishing, come back and step off boat and go to to dinner with $2000 per month

Perhaps try chartering for a while to see how you like it.

comitan - 2-22-2013 at 11:01 AM

Kgryfon

How do I start?

Too much to write, sell the boat then come down here and get the feel for what you need. I had a 31' Carver in the delta covered berth so I know both up there and down here 30 years. You can u2u if you want.

Kgryfon - 2-22-2013 at 06:07 PM

Yes, that's me, Comitan. In the Delta under a covered berth. You sound like you know exactly where I'm coming from. In any case, if it doesn't exist in Baja and it's too cost prohibitive to move my boat I guess I'll make alternate arrangements. Carl suggested seeing if I could trade someone up here for a trailerable boat, which is not a bad idea at all.

NuKid, excellent summary of the situation! The "shipping ship" costs $1500/ft I'm told, and that's just to Ensenada!

dtbushpilot - 2-22-2013 at 06:18 PM

There are lots of boats for sale in southern Baja, might be a good idea to come down and stay a month or two to get a feel of the boat situation before you decide. I live in Buena Vista and would be happy to help if I can.

comitan - 2-22-2013 at 08:12 PM

It makes more sense to have a trailerable boat down here with a cuddy cabin that you can do overnights at the islands. Also get the boat up there cheaper and more choice.

[Edited on 2-23-2013 by comitan]

Kgryfon - 2-24-2013 at 09:49 PM

Thanks for the offer dtbushpilot. It will be a while but that would be great. I'll probably end up selling my boat and getting one that is trailerable - a cuddy cabin as comitan suggested.

TOWE P

captkw - 2-24-2013 at 10:41 PM