Yes, I've shipped back twice (first time after the 2004 DH Pac Cup). Ain't cheap. We did almost everything we could to keep the costs down, so we didn't just drive up to Keehi Marine in Oahu and toss them the keys. We decommissioned the boat to the point that all they had to do was attach a strap to the rig (keel stepped), pull rig, place straps under the boat, pull boat, position boat on trailer, position mast on top of boat. So 1.5 hrs max. Same thing in CA. The yard pulled the boat off the trailer and put it in stands. They prepped the bottom but we painted, then they splashed and stepped the rig. We hooked everything back together. We could have saved some by renting a truck in HI to do the 4 mile trip between the boat yard and Matson but we didn't want to deal with the bureaucracy of road permits and other hidden haole fees. Also, Matson was very unreliable with their delivery dates so we wanted to enjoy or stay in HI instead of spending the whole time searching the Matson lot for our trailer that wasn't there.
Here's a break down in the costs for my 28' X 9.75' X 5700 lbs boat on a twin axle trailer:
Matson: $5696 ($4782 in '04)
shipping insurance: $313 ($284 in '04)
decommission boat: $719 ($740 in '04)
trucking company in HI: $442 ($361 in '04)
recommission boat: $1470 ($1674 in '04) yard painted bottom in '04
I would make the same choice to ship back if it was my first time around. After the months (yrs?) of getting ready for the race, I wanted to be able to spend some time in HI decompressing and not feel completely tied up with the return details. If there is a next time, I'll sail back.
Synthia/Eyrie
Ride, captain ride upon your mystery ship. Be amazed at the friends you have here on your trip.
Ride, captain ride upon your mystery ship. On your way to a world that others might have missed.
~ Blues Image