Anyone Flown to buy a boat, then tow it home?

flyhigh · Addict Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 809 City: Monticello

Hey guys, looking for some advice on trying to get a boat home. Living in the southeast, there isnt near the options on used boats as there are in the west. I know that the option to have one shipped is always an option, but that seems like it would end up being costly after flying to look at the boat then flying home. I wouldnt want to buy a boat, site unseen, so that isnt an option. I guess my only other option would be to fly, and if the deal worked out, to rent a truck and tow it back. Has anyone ever done this? Any tips on companys to use? I cant really find a rental company with just a truck to rent to drive one way across the country. Thanks for any input.....

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

Try U-ship maybe? When I bought my supra I flew in to look at it and then had the dealer I was buying it from deliver it to me. Just worked out that they were coming through the area.

Not many rental places will rent you something to tow with. The bigger Uhaul box trucks do have hitches though, and you can rent them one way. Not sure how cost effective it would be though.

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

I drove from Cincinnati, OH to Tulsa,OK to look at my boat. I ended up going down, looking at it, test driving it, and then driving it back home with me. If you have the time to take a weekend road trip to go get it, you can reduce your costs while being able to check the boat out personally.

I spent about $600 in gas. I would have spent about $300-$500 on a flight, plus the expense of a company such as u-ship to ship it back to my house, which is usually about $1/mile.

Granted it was 28 hours round trip though...

brew · Posted: Jul 10, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject:

You can rent a regular cab truck from Enterprise. It's somewhat costly but it is an option. You could also look into renting a small Uhaul with a hitch.

ridininmd · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 1231

You could also have some one from here go check it out for you before hand. At least then if you drive to get it you know what you're getting into before the drive.

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

tank222 · Criminal Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 65 City: FREDERICK

Most of the trucks at rental places do not have hitches.
If you rent a suburban or Yukon they will have a hitch.

vette74 · Posted: Jul 11, 2012 6:37 am Post subject:

When I bought my boat I flew out to California and bought it and paid $1300 for someone on u-ship to deliver it to my house. By the time i paid for fuel and lost income from my business it was way cheaper than driving 30 hrs each way. At the time due to the economy boats were waaaay cheaper there than here so I made up more than the difference in price for delivery and plane ticket.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I used u-ship to have mine sent to me, also. Agreed with some of the comments about rentals. I've noticed that many rentals aren't equipped to tow, as well. I'd say if you have the time, drive out to see it and drive it back.