Delivery of sails from Bay Area CA to Memphis Tn :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Delivery of sails from Bay Area CA to Memphis Tn

AndyH

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 05, 2005

Last visit: Jan 15, 2020

Posts: 8
Posted: Feb 20, 2019 - 04:24 PM

I’m trying to ship some sails from San Jose CA to Memphis. Any suggestions? The rolled up sails are 8’ long and weigh about 30lbs. FedEx is $250.
martin_langhoff

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 26, 2016

Last visit: Nov 04, 2024

Posts: 233
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 07:54 AM

CentralTransport. They are not geared for retail, but you can make it happen. Saves significant money if you avoid "residential delivery/pickup". A pickup form the sail loft is ok, but delivery to your home will cost, so see if you can pick it up at a local CentralTransport warehouse.
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 08:59 AM

You have a few options. First, I would check UPS and USPS, sometimes they are cheaper.

Next up is Air Cargo. Southwest flies out of both San Jose and Memphis and may be able to help, but you have to be an authorized shipper.

Final option is a transport company like Martin is suggesting. I've looked into these guys for shipping masts before, https://www.forwardair.com/, they have locations at most major airports.
gahamby

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 05, 2011

Last visit: Jun 15, 2021

Posts: 575
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 12:32 PM

The issue I had with shipping a sail was the battens. I pulled them out, folded the sail, boxed it up, marked it
"DO NOT OPEN WITH BLADE" on all sides, and shipped it for about $25 USPS retail ground from VA to NY.
The postal symbol is the outline of a utility knife in a red circle with a line through it.
That left the 96" batten package, now thinner and lighter but still long. I kept the length to a minimum, under 101 inches I believe, and reduced the width and height as much as possible. I used a box from a flooring installer that had trim in it. It still cost $96 retail ground. Pad the end of the batten box well. They will blow out the ends otherwise.

--
'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
--
martin_langhoff

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 26, 2016

Last visit: Nov 04, 2024

Posts: 233
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 01:20 PM

gahambyThe issue I had with shipping a sail was the battens. I pulled them out, folded the sail, boxed it up, marked it
"DO NOT OPEN WITH BLADE" on all sides, and shipped it for about $25 USPS retail ground from VA to NY.
The postal symbol is the outline of a utility knife in a red circle with a line through it.
That left the 96" batten package, now thinner and lighter but still long. I kept the length to a minimum, under 101 inches I believe, and reduced the width and height as much as possible. I used a box from a flooring installer that had trim in it. It still cost $96 retail ground. Pad the end of the batten box well. They will blow out the ends otherwise.

that's ok with an oldstyle dacron sail. Don't fold a new laminate sail!!! no no no no
DamonLinkous

Rank: Administrator

Registered: Jul 19, 2001

Last visit: Nov 15, 2024

Posts: 3446
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 01:42 PM

The trick is getting the length-width-girth total of the package to less than 165 inches (and no more than 108 inches in length). If you can do that you avoid that big jump in price for oversize package.

When I bought a set of Pentex sails from EP they shipped them in a long box created from two long narrow boxes. If you nest two 10 inch x 48 inch boxes using the flaps you can end up with a 108 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 148 inches, even a 12 inch box would still be 156 inches.

Create the box, then print your own UPS label from their online service and drop it off at the UPS store for the best overall price.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
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samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 01:53 PM

martin_langhoff
gahambyThe issue I had with shipping a sail was the battens. I pulled them out, folded the sail, boxed it up, marked it
"DO NOT OPEN WITH BLADE" on all sides, and shipped it for about $25 USPS retail ground from VA to NY.
The postal symbol is the outline of a utility knife in a red circle with a line through it.
That left the 96" batten package, now thinner and lighter but still long. I kept the length to a minimum, under 101 inches I believe, and reduced the width and height as much as possible. I used a box from a flooring installer that had trim in it. It still cost $96 retail ground. Pad the end of the batten box well. They will blow out the ends otherwise.

that's ok with an oldstyle dacron sail. Don't fold a new laminate sail!!! no no no no

Generally advisable but I had a brand new pentex jib shipped from a sailmaker once folded and it was completely fine.
JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Oct 31, 2024

Posts: 796
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 04:18 PM

What about U-Ship.... seems like you could get someone to piggyback it a load they may be bringing your way.

--
John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 06:16 PM

Sounds expensive, I paid about 10% of that quote when I bought my H16 main from Ca. I had to ditch the largest batten though. Hub to Hub with a company like forwardair is a good way to go and I’m sure there are others, I know not everyone’s paying $250 to ship sails.