Overland transport question - from marina to home

[SunsetSteve]

I have just closed on the purchase of a Riviera 28, and I am arranging for the boat to be trailered 4.5 hours to my home. I will have it trailered to the destination marina in spring, and will winterize and have it shrink wrapped here for the winter. The transporter is going to assist and supervise the blocking.
I realize that the boat cannot be trailered at highway speeds with canvas up and flying. But what if it rains on the day? Any suggestions about what precautions should be taken in that case? Are there scuppers that will drain the water in the cockpit, which is open to the skies? I am planning to use gorilla tape to secure heavy duty plastic sheeting around and over the helm area and panel - any other suggestions?

[bud37]

Perhaps discuss shrinking the boat for the trip.....no frame but would keep it clean....ask the shipping guys what they think about your ideas and what they recommend.....good luck with the move..

[Midnightsun]

I would not bet on any kind of tape at highway speeds for 4.5 hrs, tape will lose! Flapping in some area can cause marring or even damage. As suggested, shrink wrap it, nothing fancy, partial wrap just to protect for the run.

[waybomb]

Moved our Riviera cross country. Had to take everything of the arch. Put everything removable down below. They put the boat on the trailer transom forward. No covers. A little cleaning and was kind new.
If that bothers you, shrink wrap it. That's how they deliver new boats.

[SunsetSteve]

Qr Bbpost Moved our Riviera cross country.

Did it rain on the journey?

[SunsetSteve]

The difficulty I have is that the marina is 4 or 5 hours away and I am busy. My plan is to go up on Sunday to prep the boat, then drive it to the ramp on Monday AM for loading on the hydraulic trailer. So when do I have it wrapped? No time because I doubt the transporter will wait around.

[tomschauer]

Its a boat.
All of the exterior areas on the boat are designed to get wet
Including your helm and gauges.
Just make sure any cushions or loose items are stowed below deck.
Pull the drain plug if your worried about water in the bilge. It would take an awful lot of rain in 4-5 hours to build up anything significant enough to damage the boat

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost The difficulty I have is that the marina is 4 or 5 hours away and I am busy. My plan is to go up on Sunday to prep the boat, then drive it to the ramp on Monday AM for loading on the hydraulic trailer. So when do I have it wrapped? No time because I doubt the transporter will wait around.

Well if that is the case, just ship it with all the loose stuff stowed and tied down real good. Personally I would be more concerned with how the boat was attached to the trailer. I agree, it is a boat after all and you will be cleaning it up at the other end. What does the shipper suggest.

[SunsetSteve]

So I guess the vinyl seating, FG base, and instruments will be OK? I would try to protect the panel in any case.

[waybomb]

It appeared to have gotten wet on the trip. I did cover the gages, but that all was gone when the boat arrived. Nothing was damaged.
I did remove all the vinyl seating parts to the cabin.