Shipping Mast to USA

[timeandtide]

Hey folks, for anyone who has had their Selden mast shipped to the USA or at least North America, what forwarder did you use? I seem to be having trouble getting my mast to me and any info would be much appreciated.

[brucel]

I just sent my euros to Jane and expect to arrive one day. The freight broker our company uses quoted a similar amount to Selden and I figure selden probably knows how to ship masts to North America.

[captdan]

Mine was shipped from France using Delmar International. Once they figured out that it was prepaid freight, everything went smooth. I needed to use Cole International to clear customs - they were great to work with. Having said that, nearly 3 weeks went by from the time it landed in Canada until it arrived at my house.
Message Michael Moyer and Jack Johnson - they just received their masts in California recently. They might provide some US details that might be more helpful to you.
Dan

[hull113]

I was very surprised how much trouble it was to ship masts to southern California. I think some of the trouble was a West Coast thing, having to go through the Panama Canal, change ships, get moved north after going to Peru or someplace first..

As far as a freight forwarder... We didn't use one. We went to the place where the container was unloaded and emptied (our stuff was in a container with stuff from a bunch of others) and picked up our stuff ourselves. Being near the Port of Long Beach, this was an option. You being in Seattle, I would suspect that this could be an option too.

I've never shipped anything anywhere before. There didn't seem to be a "standard procedure". It seemed like everything was a new experience for everyone involved. That said, our customs guy in LA was great. I'm checking with him to see if it's okay to share his info, and/or if would do you any good in Seattle. I'll let you know if he says yes.

Jack

[timeandtide]

Hey everyone thank you for the replies. It seems that I at least need a customs broker to basically get the mast into the country once it arrives at the port. Then I should be able to pick it up at the port like Jack mentioned. Thanks again for the help! Josh Hull #157 ‘Casero’

[Admin]

The world is NUTS right now for frieght...and prices up to 600% on what they were a few years ago...it is a long and complicated story for sure....and may get cheaper in the future but when is anyones guess! just remember that there is a process to approve a local section in USA ...all described on the 5.80 website...the Selden rig is good , fits and is easy and we try to get it to builders as cheap as possible not including the fieght and clearing but it is NOT the compulsory rig...I think Australia is planning something as freight there is also supper expensive....good luck and happy sailing

[timeandtide]

Hey again, would it be possible for someone who has already received their mast to give me some of the specs? Specifically I need over LxHxW of the package and an approximate weight. Any help I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks again, Josh Hull #157

[hull113]

Our masts (hulls 79 and 113) were about 68kg each, about 4m long, about 30cm x 30 cm around/square/diameter.

Ours were ordered in July 2021 I think.  Shipping happened in about October, and we received mid March, 2022. 

Order early and have a lot of patience.  It is a very trying process, very expensive, and requires more paperwork and emails than you can imagine.  I did not micro manage at all, and I suspect I sent 150 emails, and spent about 30 hours emailing, collecting paperwork, organizing customs...

This is not a trivial process, and much harder (for me, anyway) than building the boat.  You can't control it, you can't really manage it, and you can't make it happen faster.

On the other hand, building one on your own and getting it class certified will still be harder.

I truly wish you luck.

Jack Johnson, Hull 113

[brucel]

Hull 133.
paid Mcintyre Adventure June 14th for mast and door-to-door shipment from Selden
mast shipped via ocean freight on or around the 26th of June 2022
mast arrived in Montreal, Canada, around August 8th and cleared customs, got to Canada freight forwarder around 07th of September 2022.
mast shipped rail to Saskatoon SK, Canada. (middle of Canada) arrived 19th of September 2022.
So from payment to delivery, three months. Costs over what was paid to Mcintyre Adventure, $536.10 for customs/brokerage and local taxes. All in $5954.89 Canadian dollars.
Maybe 20 emails, which were mostly me asking status, little confusion on who was paying port to Saskatoon, but Selden fixed it quickly.
Everything arrived in one piece. Looks like a great kit with lines and labels. I was very happy I went this route as I'm not experienced at building rigs (or boats..) I think if you were in a location that has a rigging company locally I would have worked with them but the nearest one to me is 1600kM away.
One thing to keep in mind, I'm part owner of a business that imports and exports; we are all set up with brokers etc. If you are doing it as an individual it could be a lot harder.

[timeandtide]

Dang Bruce that is quick! I ordered and paid for my mast back in October of 2021 and I am expecting to receive it first week of October 2022. It has just left New York and is heading for the Panama Canal en route to the West Coast of N.A.