Hey,
Does anybody have any suggestions on methods of shipping boards? I have heard about using Delta Airlines, Greyhound bus, and Yellow Freight. Considerations include, but are not limited to: cost, size limitations, packaging required, destination/pickup sites, damage, and insurance. Any real life experience (positive or negative) would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
—
Bill Herderich
Watkins
Tinho of Calema shipped me my Superlight II a few years ago. Maybe ask him: http://www.calema.com I THINK that he used UPS.
Richard
Check with AAA Cooper transportation. I have used them quite a few times and they have by far the best rates. I checked with everybody from FedEx to UPS and their rates were awful ($200-450!!!)
I shipped a board using AAA from Montgomery, AL to California for around $80-90 last year (took about 5 days). I shipped one to Texas for about $65 (took about 3 days). They mainly ship between Texas and the east coast. If you need to ship out of their area, they will ship it as far as they can and have a second delivery company handle it the rest of the way.
When you ship a windsurfer, make sure they use the classification "boat hull." I think it helps reduce shipping costs. It is also cheaper to ship to a business.
Check with Chuck Hardin at Whitecap Windsurfing and he can let you know where the closest terminal is to Atlanta. He was searching for a more cost effective way to ship boards last year and I told him about AAA. He shipped me a board using them and everything turned out great.
Hope this helps!
Brooks Gant
Forgot to list their website for more information...
http://www.aaacooper.com
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any other questions.
Brooks
While I am here, might as well let you know what I did as far as packaging:
Get 2-3 sheets of 4x8 cardboard
Wrap entire board in the large style bubble wrap really good. Wrap the nose and the tail a few more times for extra cushion!!
Cut 2 strips of cardboarb for each side of the board and also the tail. Secure these with packing tape. This will help protect the board if anything hits the sides.
Then cut two pieces of cardboard for the top and bottom of the board. They should be larger than the board so that the edges can fold over the sides of the board.
And then secure everything with as much packing tape as you have. It should use over a role of tape maybe 2!!!
This takes a little time but it is worth it. The last thing you want is to sell a board to someone and it get damaged in shipment. I have never had a problem and I have shipped around 7 boards all over the country and never had a problem.
Good luck,
Brooks
I promise this is the last time!!!!
You may also check with a company called Forward Air. I think their website is http://www.forwardair.com
I know a lot of people that have used them for shipping kayaks and their rates are very reasonable!!!
Might be something to look into.
Brooks
Brooks,
Thanks, that's really good information. I'll even put it in the newsletter if you don't mind.
Bill
Bill Herderich
The cardboard and bubble wrap is a good choice, the more the better. Be sure to write "fragile" and "top load only" all over the outside. Use trucking company and for the best rates send it to a business or pick it up at the terminal. I like to pick it up at the terminal to avoid excess handling. I used Delta Cargo once to receive a board. Shipping seemed like about $75 and I got it the same day they shipped it, however you have to pick it up at the airport. Last but not least, I would'nt ship it without insurance in case they bust it in half. When you get it, check it closely for damage before signing any paperwork. Gator trucking gave me $300 for an inch long gouge in one board (fortunately they didn't know much about windsurfers or marine-tex).