Transporting a Carver 405 (370, 406) OTR

[Midnightsun]

Qr Bbpost

Qr Bbpost Max load height for most roads is 13' 6". Not sure where 14'2" comes from but maybe the route they are taking is an exception. As for what needs to be done to break her down it can be quite extensive like mine was. See pictures in my signature.

Hi Midnightsun, interesting pictures, thanks for that. I'm thinking that the Carver nomenclature is not much different between the 2 boats. Evidently Your pictures are not searchable, hence the reason for My thread. When you re-assembled your flybridge wiring on the 07', did You find a single main connector for the bridge wiring, or several, Main and ancillary, or?? Pics?

There are several however all were located in the same place and well identified. Remember, the boat ships from the factory in pieces and it must be easy to assemble at destination. In my case I have added a few wires such as for the solar array and a few others. I did not go to the trouble of adding connectors where Carver did for assembly/disassembly. This may be the case on yours also, no big deal, cut identify and reassemble.

[g36]

If it helps all wiring to the bridge on a 405 comes up the stbd side right by the steps to the driving station and runs along floor and enters helm. Theres a few connections in there . Wiring to arch is stbd side also.

[Johnnykey]

Qr Bbpost If it helps all wiring to the bridge on a 405 comes up the stbd side right by the steps to the driving station and runs along floor and enters helm. Theres a few connections in there . Wiring to arch is stbd side also.

Thanks g36, the 370 was also wired that way. I've come to the conclusion that this will have to be a 2 truck haul. The transporter has another truck but not another driver. So am I going to have a boat with no bridge for a while, ahaha.

The marina is going to fetch the boat today and take it to the pullout location. than have a better idea on scope of work. The boat has had absolutely no electronics, ever. I do not see why they'd need a crane, while having a travel lift and a dry stack fork lift, which is how we do it up north.

The biggest problem seems to Me, is in the coordination of the shipper and boat dismantler. Each on their own is capable, but every boat has different requirements. No one knows everything. We'll see.

[Johnnykey]

I need one of these setups, in order to screw the bridge and seat base with pod still attached.

I found this pic, on a pretty informative boat moving thread. Are we allowed to post "hotlinks"?

[Johnnykey]

Hey Midnightsun, any pics of You and Your, "no big deal, cut identify and reassemble" action?

[Midnightsun]

Qr Bbpost Hey Midnightsun, any pics of You and Your, "no big deal, cut identify and reassemble" action?

Unfortunately no, had an experienced crew do it but saw everything. Would do it myself today if I had to, was not even close to being cheap but then again anything related to boating done by "pros" is around the same pay range as really good lawyers.

[Johnnykey]

When this is all over I'll post costs. I'm not scared to spend money for good work, after being in this business for 30+ years I've learned to tell the difference.

I thought about this 1 or 2 truck move most of last night, and came up with this. After scaling the Carver Owners Manual diagrams, and came up with a fly bridge (horseshoe) size of 12'x15'. So, build a 12'x15', 2x6 house style wall with plywood sheeting, lay it down in the yard and screw the bridge, seat base and helm pod in place, to the "wall". Then, IF space allows strap new assembly down on to front boat trailer table, just above 5th wheel. Which leaves us at, will space allow?

Yes, I'm pretty anxious about this move. I'm almost ready to just get down there with tools and "help".

Am I overposting yet?

[Midnightsun]

I have no problem paying people for good work either however boat stuff and home related construction feels more like being raped.

Good example last week my daughters AC unit at her condo went south, only 7 years old, third floor and need a long ladder for access and I had no time to service it for her. Typical dumb capacitor replacement. $20 part cost close to $500 when all was said and done.

[Johnnykey]

So lots of phone tag and stress yesterday.

The 405-406 Flybridge "Horseshoe" is 12' x 15' overall, the boat length is 42',3". The boat trailer is 53' loa. See the problem?

The transporter is insisting that that the boat be under legal height, 13',6". Which is supposed to require removal of bridge assembly.

Dismantling marina says, "We've had many Carver bridge boats thru here, including a 406 last month. The Flybridges are always installed, and never removed". Hard top and radar arch yes, flybridge No. In other words, they just haul them tall and over height. Which is more expensive, different permits, and in some cases a height car escort and different route. At this point I don't really care.


I have yet to see an actual measurement of any or either method. Lots of estimates, but none actual. The Carver literature claims a 17',9" bridge clearance on the water, with a 39" draft. Does that include the 18-24" anchor lite attached to the radar arch? No body seems to know, including Me.

Yesterday's dismantling included, props pulled, rudders pulled, hard top and radar arch removed, helm/instrument "pod" removed. Pictures coming!

We are supposed to have an Actual overall boat height measurement this morning, after the removal of those components. Marina is guessing "12'ish". Transport truck is in route to Dallas, dropping off a boat from Minnesota. Then coming to Austin for the 405, that is probably to tall and no body wants to pull the bridge, and there is no where to put it anyway that costs less than $3k. Plus the extra labor to pull and install it. I guess now we know why most of the flybridges stay on the boat. This is almost funny.


I should also add, the transporter talked with a transporter that actually used to haul out of Pulaski Wi. for Carver in it's heyday. His recollection is that the bow rails were not installed at the factory. He said that the bridge assembly's were placed on the bow deck and the bow rail was carried to dealers on the aft portion of the boat. All was moved on 1 truck @13',2". And put together at the dealers place of business. I did talk with Brian at the new Carver, very nice and helpful guy. Unfortunately he did not have measurements.

[Johnnykey]

Soo, Morning came and went. Still No Overall height measurement, the transport driver has dropped his load/boat in Dallas and is now on his way to Austin. Expecting to arrive this evening, and load My 405 in the morning. I have no Idea at what point of disassembly, or what actual overall height is. Because Communication with the marina is "less than perfect".

I could just figure that it will all be fine, and that I'm dealing with professionals. Who just happen to have a linkage to my wallet. The transporter wants it as low as possible, and the marina wants to take off as least as possible. My transport contract is for a legal height load.

I'm doing this semi-realtime, expecting some interaction with other boat owners. OR, I could just wait till it's all over and post this like I'm some kinda genius. But that's already been really over done on the interweb.

So Pipe Up! Questions? Comments? I can hold My own, but Genius I am Not.