Fly bridge 3227

[willysross]

I am about to move my boat by transport from Charleston S.C. to Carrabelle Fl. (dont have time to take it around by water) the transporter is saying I need to remove the flybridge. The boat yard is saying it will take about 20 hours of labor. Does anyone have any experience transporting without having to remove it? Has anyone removed there's and know how long it takes?

 

[Carver370]

From experience, you will have to have the bridge removed. The boat is simply too tall to travel under bridges and other obstacles on the highway. I have never removed the bridge myself but I have watched as one was removed, it will take quite some time and you need some sort of forklift or hoist to do it safely, as well as re-installation.

 

[Unknown]

My guess is its probably held in with screws through the cabin roof. They could be bolts, which would stink because access to the nuts would be difficult. But back then Carver wasn't as design conscious as today, so without seeing it I'd guess its screwed in somewhere. The electrical connections are all done with plastic connectors so that wouldn't be too hard to remove...

Max height is 13'6" on the highway. You could see if taking the windshield off would be sufficient to attain the desired clearance, but I tend to agree with Carver370 that the whole thing is going to have to come off...

The 3227 is a popular boat. Its likely an experienced shipper could help you figure out how to remove the bridge. For a fee, of course, he might even remove it...

 

[32carv]

willycross - Not so fast! I have a 1985 Carver 3227. I had mine hauled without removing the flybridge. If you do some measuring you will see that if you remove the canvas and bows (they fit nicely inside the cabin) and then remove the windshield and rail that goes all the way around the flybridge it will be just under the height limit. At this point the steering wheel will be the highest point so take the time to remove it and gain another 2 inches to be safer.You might have to call a few haulers to find one with a low enough trailor but it beats breaking off the flybridge. Haulers will be familiar with your model and will tell you if they can do it. It took about 3 hours to put it back together and I did the work myself.

 

[Unknown]

Good post! Thanks for sharing it...

 

[willysross]

Thanks guys, thats what I thought. I measured the water line to top of bridge this weekend (without the wheel) it was 10,8" if the boat sits about 4'0 high to the water line on the trailer. That makes it 14'8" high it can be shipped with a permit. I would hate for anyone to pay the 2500.00 for nothing.