Issues with Transporting a 40 PC


N

nsgy11

New member
My boat, a 2005 40 PC, was wiped out by Sandy - really sad to see it go. It ran wonderfully, was comfortable. I am looking at a" new" 2005 40 PC in the Great Lakes area and have to transport it to New Jersey.
Hardtop has to come off. All electronics have to be disconnected obviously and hardtop has to be secured in some way during truck ride that simulates a hurricane with 70 - 80 MPH wind force.
Need advice on whether removing and re-installing hardtop creates problems in a 2005 40 PC. I called Formula support and Nick Braun was very helpful and he sent me a whole bunch of instructions and list of parts the process might need. He assured me that dealers do it all the time without problems. My marina in New Jersey says that the re-install is no problem and takes about 12 - 14 hours of work. Of course, it may take longer and cost more if there are problems. I have to budget at least $2G for putting the hardtop back on.
The question is whether I am opening a can of worms by removing and re-installing the hardtop. Would appreciate any tips or advice from people who have gone through this process.
 
If the marina knows what it's doing, removing and re-installing a hardtop is not difficult. It is done all the time. It's usually stored on the bow.
 
I trailer my 37pc with hardtop twice a year.
Formula rigs the hardtop with all the foam blocks, straps, supports, etc. from the factory.
The hardtop does not sit on the bow, but has a bar that attaches to the bolts that hold the hardtop on the boat. The hardtop now sits on the platform, with the bar supporting the front.
It all comes with the boat, at no extra cost. Your dealer should have everything needed.
As far as cost, your marina is dead wrong on time. I can take mine off in less than an hour, and re-install in about an hour and a half. All the electronics stay on the top, and Formula installs disconnects on the right side, for all the wiring. My marina has a crane available, and I remove it with my forklift, once inside my building.
I do not have radar, so you can add about another hour to re-install the brackets and array, if it even needs taken off. If I had radar, it would be able to stay on, since my total height is less than 12 foot, once the top is on the swim platform.
Please feel free to e mail me, and I will give you my phone number.
Have your Formula dealer supply you with 2 new foam gaskets. They may be needed, if the old ones get damaged. There is also some caulking that may need to be re-done, once the top is back on.
 
First of all let me say I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your 2005 40PC. That's terrible. I'm in NJ near the shore and I have heard too may stories and helped so many people already. As far as delivery to NJ and the Hardtop issue, I just had my new 2012 40 PC sent to NJ from Tampa back in Sept. They delivered it to Comstock. I had the same concern about the hard top. Because it was a new boat Formula sent someone up from Decatur. Not to worry because if you deal with a Marina like Comstock who is a Formula dealer in NJ and Dillon's Creek Marina who is a Formula Certified Warranty repair facility, they do it all the time. I would have the boat delivered to Dillons because thats where I keep my boat and this is my 3rd Formula and they know what they are doing. Dillons also services other Formulas including two 40PC's besides mine that stay at other marinas. I would be happy yo recommend them. lo to answer your concern about disconnecting things, electronics are wired to disconnect easily and the Hardtop has two bolts on each side where the vinyl pads pop off. They take it off just the way it is and they rest it on the swim platform. On the top of the harttop should be a eye hook to lift the unit. Let me know if you have any questions....Buddy
 
I agree not that big of a job. The hardest part would be the securing of the top for the trip. I would definately get the required chocks needed from Formula. As far as the reinstall in New Jersey the advice to go to a Formula authorized facility is the only way to go. They have a better handle on the procedure required for the install.
 
nsgy11 said:
My marina in New Jersey says that the re-install is no problem and takes about 12 - 14 hours of work. Of course, it may take longer and cost more if there are problems.
Click to expand...

Sorry for your loss NSGY11. That stinks.

Just a couple comments: Definitely follow the advice of others here, and replace the gaskets. And on a bigger note, the hard top re-installation should NOT take nearly 12-14 hours, with the possibility of more time for any unknowns. Given that quote, you have the wrong folks doing the work. Most of the electronics wiring incorporates quick disconnects, and all in all, the job should not be more than about 5 hours off, and 5 hours on.

Good luck.
 
Well it's a ton of work. Did the same on my 04 41 pc. A lot depends on how the ship yard preps it and sends it to you. Sounds simple, bolts in a bag, wires unplugged not cut,auto pilot,satellite,plotter removed from arch and more, u would think. Have your broker or the company that did the survey verify this before it shipps. Wish I did....
 
Thank you all for good advice. will check out Dillons and Comstock. Attached is a pic of my Formula that landed up in a neighboring property. The owner who decided not to evacuate saw the boat trying to come over her porch into the living room. She and her husband were very understanding and it took a month to move it back to the Marina for the insurance people to come over. I was insured by Travelers and the adjustor was a pleasure to deal with.
The marina I am buying the boat, a Formula dealer, will prep the boat for transport.
Has anyone done the great lakes route from Green bay to the Hudson river? The Erie canal is 350 miles of no wake speed at 5 MPH - so i am told.
Thanks again.
 

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I've been told Buffalo to Albany is a 5-7 day trip. If you speed on the Erie the lock masters will hold you in a lock. What a great boating experience though.
 
Hey I live by lock 23 on the Erie.
there is 30 mph zones also.
Most of the canal you can go 10 mph with no issues and
is a great trip.
5 to 7 is a nice cruise and low or no overnight
charges in most towns.
We made the trip from upper Mich. last year. :)
 
Hello Solyluna, would love to chat about your trip from Michigan to Erie canal. I plan on doing the diesel survey in April/May. The locks should be open by May next year. My friend, who had some good qualities (really knows boats) and one bad one (can drink me under the table) is pushing me to make the trip from Green Bay to NYC. Looks like I have to plan for at least a two week trip or maybe even three. By my calculation I will use up 10 tanks of fuel - safe budgeting of about 200 miles per tank. Do you have distance calculations or a log of your trip.
 
If I had the choice of transporting or going by water, I would not even consider over land, no matter what the cost. The experience you will have will last a lifetime.
 
315391-8653
My cell number
with good weather you can make it in 2 weeks but would miss a lot
of the experience. We took 26 days and wish we would have seen more
we started at began Mich. To cape Vincent 499 gal of fuel i had the miles
But misplaced somewhere maybe on the boat. I think we avg around mile
A gal. But we only get .60 at 32 mph. We left may 14 not much open
in upper Huron but as we neared Detroit and lake st Clair no problem.
some the fuel was for the genset at times
we had impellers and oil changed before we left and had spares.
 
Trucked my 2006 40pc from San Diego to Annapolis. Hard top was stored on the swim platform in "factory foam". It's specifically made for hardtop storage on the back of the boat and made it across country without a scratch. Hardtop was up and on in a few hours.
 
Thanks for the info - thats really reassuring. Am off to see the 40 PC next week in Wisconsin - and get it ready for purchase. I have to wait a few months to get the diesel engines looked at. Green Bay winters are severe and sea trial has to be in the spring. I spoke to a transport company that Formula uses and they will put the hard top on after moving boat over. Waiting for a final price.
 
I had my 40 PC transported from FL to RI last winter. The hardtop was easy to put back on, rented a mobil crane and operator for an hour ($300), fabricated some gaskets out of rubber, reconnected the wires and bolted evrything down. Two hours basically by myself except for the initial lining up over the U Bolts.
One thing I would mention is get the boat "transportation" wrapped if you go over the road.
A transpo wrap has a liner to prevent scratches and goes all the way down the hull to protect against dings from stones, etc.
 
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