So one of my boards I lent to my eldest daughter when she was in college and it never made it back from FL. It's at her ex bf's house in Talahassee, and I'm looking at getting it shipped up here. Anybody have any experience with shipping boards? 1) How to pack it for shipment? 2) Best carriers to use? Any info greatly appreciated...did a forum search but got a bunch of random threads that didn't look to be related. Also if anyone from FL is planning on driving through NC anytime soon and would be willing to transport the board I'll make it worth your while. Thx, Tlok
Ive had a few boards shipped. Its expensive. Like 300$ via the fed ex. But that is also from california-hawaii. All you gotta do is treat it like youre preppin it for a trip, wrap it in the foam and bubble wrap (although for a trip i just throw my clothes in the bag for cushions). THen instead of putting it in a bag get a big ol' piece of cardboard and build a box around it. Some places even sell big surfboard boxes.
About $125 on Greyhound. Far cheaper per board if you crate 6-8 sticks together and ship them all. What leetymike says is right on. There's some other ideas if you use the search feature here too.
Oh man, parcel carriers are brutal with stuff. I'm pretty sure UPS, in particular, drives over each box 4 times before loading it onto the truck. Maybe try FedEx or DHL? See if you can find threads on how dudes pack their boards for checking them in for a flight. I remember seeing a lot of good ideas. Fins off (obviously), foam pipe insulation around the rails, lots of bubble wrap, and adequate cardboard. Oh yeah, don't forget the FRAGILE stickers. It's an Italian word that everyone puts on important boxes...it's pronounced frah-gee-lay.
Amtrak. I JUST shipped a board down to FLA last falland another one to South Carolina. $60. AND they take care of their stuff. "See if you can find threads on how dudes pack their boards for checking them in for a flight. I remember seeing a lot of good ideas. Fins off (obviously), foam pipe insulation around the rails, lots of bubble wrap, and adequate cardboard."- Mad Atom Awesome words of advice!
Wait, so Amtrak offers shipping service? How does that work? Do you slip the conductor a $20 and wink at him?
Yeah, let's get the deets on this. Aside from having someone get to an Amtrak location for pickup (they're virtually everywhere) there may be no reason not to go through this avenue. Good call kpd73. Can you tell us anymore?
Check this companies website out http://www.surfstationstore.com/domestic-shipping/ further down in the page is a video of how they pack boards for shipping. I have bought boards in the past from them and there packaging is top notch and boards are delivered with no damage
amtrak works ive shipped up and down both coasts and across the land... never over 100...yeah you have to pack and box it... and take to the station...but when compared to $250-300.. it aint too bad. thanx again kpd73 for the board...
Thanks for the tips guys (and keep coming if you got em). Gonna look into the amtrak idea, sounds like a good plan.
My buddy shipped me a board from Cali to NC with Greyhound. It was around $100 bucks and it arrived in good condition. I know if you ride Amtrak a surfboard can be considered your carry on and rides free. Not sure how it works if you ship it by itself but sounds like a good deal.
Yeah man, just call up your nearest Amtrak station and ask if they handle shipping. Some stations are strictly passenger, bigger ones handle freightl. Find out First if the person you're shipping it TO has an Amtrak near them! There's always one Somewhere and when you're talking about not only picking up a surfboard, but a Well handled surfboard? People can be persuaded to travel. You basically bring your very well packed up surfboard, fill out the paperwork, and they give you a Waybill with a confirmation # to send to your intended recipient. And TIP the guy/girl! You're saving over $50 and getting piece of mind. $5 won't kill you and the gesture is what's important. Goes a LONG way. Last thing is I think it's like a 10ft/100lb limit before it becomes More expensive. Dansan can maybe weigh in...ahem, *cough...****. Horrible pun, sorry...here and answer that. Good luck and anyone can PM me with anymore questions/shipping tips! Later
k-man, you pretty much nailed it. for some reason..people think it can be a hassle..and i guess compared to a quick local craigslist sale...it might be..but to me it's easy and fun...plus...now you know someone in another surf place...and likewise so does he/she.. if you ever go you know some one to hook you up... anyway..enough theory.. i go to surf source or Home Depot...get bubble wrap.. not the foam in the video...pipe insulation tubing for rails, and to run the length of the deck...top and bottom... you can finish with boxes or a board bag ..that can be sent back later, with or without another board(hint) since i have a martial arts background/buddhist upbringing.. i look at the act of S&H..as a zen exercise...sorta like a tea ceremony plus i get psyched ..knowing the other person is gonna flip..when they get it, and likewise when i get one..like x-mas..present..yeaaaa. i usually go to the station every 3-6 mos..to ship for a friend or myself...they all know me.. and welcome me like friend..when i get there... big tip: dont be in a rush..relax...talk story..enjoy the experience.. like youre catching up with family..and they will take care of you like you are.. i will actually bring an extra cup of coffee for the guy..doing the intake.. kpd73 .very.wise words..a- buy the insurance..its cheap and worth it..it's like $.50/$100 of value, and tip the handler..he will make sure your stuff is taken care of..they mark it. oh..extra tip...write on the box "top load only..no forklift on it..." downsouthslida(a regular on 2ndlight and jamboard forums) and i have shipped. probably 8-10 boards between each other in the past 3-4 yrs not a scratch...ever.. last year a friend in Santa Cruz shipped me a a 7'.. i think he spent $30 in materials...took him less than hour, and it was like $65-70 for Amtrak....and got here quicker and cheaper than if he had a shop do it and use air freight, etc..
Excellent info guys, I've confirmed there's a station in Tallahassee. Great point about some stations only taking passengers. Thanks again to everyone.
dl! What's happening bud? Catch anything down at CB lately? Thanks for the offer but no need for the manhunt, he's in touch and ready to pack it up and send it on the way. He's a good kid, and we got off on the right foot when I first met him...i.e. he was scared sh*tless to meet me. My eldest had him convinced I was borderline insane, had a history of violence, and ate bullets for breakfast and crapped the casings out later. She's a good girl. The lil one is learning well from her too. BTW - Did Steve from CB surf get up with you? I told him you were selling the acid washed Bing and he said he might want to buy it back from you.
Hey all I just used these guys who I found on on Surfline. They shipped my a paddle board and got it done for $150 with me dropping it at their terminal. Great service and easy to use! http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/p...g-full-service-shipping-for-surfboards_93628/
