Shipping an American Tug 34
I need to
express thanks to 2 people: Jim Shates, of “Annie’s Song” #47, our Sister
vessel, and Kurt Dilworth of Tomco. Jim has done this shipping thing twice, and
talked me thru the experience. Kurt kindly shared the Tomco-generated
‘Shipping Check List’ and allowed me to include it here.
This is
“Tardis” loaded on the trailer, ready to exceed 55MPH for the first time….
1. Note the
‘bow-down’ attitude: this is necessary to get the overall height down, as
the deepest part of the keel is the rudder shoe. This means the upper rail has
to be removed as well as the RADAR mast.
2. The
overall dimensions were 13’6” wide and 15’6” high, which is an
‘Oversize Load’ for width and height. This means that special permitting was
needed for the route, as well as 1 or 2 escort vehicles (depending on the State
– they’re all different).
3. I used
Dudley Boat Transport, who haul these boats from the Factory.
4. The rail
breaks down to 3 pieces, lashed to the bow rail. The Ladder and RADAR go inside.
5. I have a
Raymarine 2Kw RADAR radome - this varies by vessel, of course. I disconnected
that and stored it below. There are 3 screws to remove the top of the radome,
then a multi-wire plug, a red/black wire combination and a shielded ground wire.
All these wires carefully fit thru the grommet, thru the radar mast and inside
the boat. The Anchor light wires are disconnected inside the pilothouse, and are
removed with the radar mast.
6. After the
rails are removed there are numerous holes on the top deck. I used Kurts
suggestion, and filled them with epoxy to keep water out of the core. Actually,
I drilled them oversize to 3/8” and filled with WEST epoxy/colloidal silica
filler with syringes. In
7. I
followed the Tomco list exactly, except I did not remove the Nav Lights. They
are difficult to re-install.
8. You’ll
need at least 1 roll of 3M Preservation Tape (or generic) to put under the
straps, and to secure lockers etc. Its like duct tape that leaves no residue. Expensive ($50/roll) and worth it…..
9. You’ll
also need scrap carpeting and bubble-wrap.
10. Figure
on at least 2 days to prep boat for shipping, and the same on arrival.
11. As a
data point, in March 2006 it cost $10200 to ship from
Jeremy Bell. AT34 -48
“Tardis”
Tomco SHIPPING CHECK LIST
*******Note: use only white preservation tape on exterior of boat for shipping********
q Winterize if necessary (see winterizing list)
q Remove upper deck rails and secure to bow rails
q Remove mast and tape over wire way hole
q Remove navigation lights and tape wire and holes flat
q Stow flagstaff in aft locker in salon
q Stainless Burgee mast (with retainer rings) in Blue Cummins Bag
q Secure anchor with scrap vinyl and duct tape
q Tape wiper blades (one piece on center of blades) to windows
q Tape over ends of horns
q Tape over engine intake vents
q Tape deck fills so the lids don’t pop open
q Check all windows and ports (closed tight)
q Close all man doors in forward end
q Turn off both battery switches and the white breaker above the first battery switch
q Close main fuel supply valves and main water supply valve in tank room
q Put the ignition and door keys in the top galley drawer
q Stow the spare parts kits, owners manuals, gelcoat cans and misc in the locker aft of the stove
q Stow the lines, fenders, shore cords, flagstaff, bell, fire extinguishers in the aft locker in the salon
q Wedge the microwave into its cavity
q Secure the ladder and mast in the pilothouse / salon
q Stow the navigation lights in the 2nd galley drawer
q Tape the key inside the deck box on the back wall
q Tape the laz hatch closed (prevents debris from jamming the lid closed)
q Tape over the laz and deckbox hatch lifts
q Press vinyl into transom door and tape latch
q Place preservation tape around cleats where truck straps will touch and on hull sides where straps may touch the gelcoat.
q Package in Ziploc bag, extra #8 x ½” ph 316 ss machine screws for connecting rails.
q Package in Ziploc bag, 50, 316ss #14 x 1” ph screws to install railings. Place in galley drawer.
q Package in Ziploc bag, 15, 316ss #14 x ¾”” ph screws to install railings. Place in galley drawer.
q Package in Ziploc bag, extra fuses (flat style, 2ea of, 5,10,15,20,30amp) and (round glass style, 2ea of, 5,10,15,20amp) and 2 extra halogen bulbs.
q Package in Ziploc bags, miscellaneous fasteners, #8, #10 and #14, about 50 screws total. (The most common ones only)
q 1 ea, 20” x 20” x ½” plywood (for mast)
q 1 ea, 20” x 4” x ½” plywood (for ladder)
q 2 ea, 2” x 4” x 10”
q Scraps of vinyl and some application tape to secure items in salon.
q 10 carpet strips, 6” x 36” for truck straps
q Preservation tape
q Bill of lading
q 1 ea. ¾” x 8” x 16” (3/4” plywood)
q 1 ea. 3” x 8” x 16” (3/4” plywood 4 layers) center block 12’ from keel
q 1 ea. 5 ¼” x 8” x 16” (3/4” plywood 7 layers)
q Bottom paint any bare spots
q Remove salon speakers from brackets, label wire (+ and -), wrap in vinyl and store in galley drawer.
q Gelcoat cans in aft locker
q Cutting board
q PUT SHIMS IN PH AND SALON DOORS TOP AND BOTTOM TO PREVENT RATTLING
q INSTALL USCG STICKERS ON NAV LIGHTS AND MAIN STICKER IN ENGINE ROOM
q Make sure leg for settee is in aft locker