Don't let them know you aren't ready to ship. Send an email to half a dozen companies (seb based quotes are useless as they miss out all the little extra expenses), telling them what you have, where it is, and where it is going. Tell them you will load and unload the container, but will need it dropped off and picked up. Ask that their quote include all costs, including duty and taxes. Send one email with copies (not blind copies) to all the companies.
Flat pack would be good, but maybe prone to damage. I can't imagine the savings would be high as it still takes the space of a container.
Shipping charges are up and down. Last container I got to the States I got was ~$5,000, plus duty and taxes. Include on your list of shipping companies APC (Aus company that sponsors a lot of multi sailing here, owned by a really nice guy, very efficient, but expensive) and Icon Freight Services Pty Ltd email: cosi@iconfs.com.au I used them a couple of years ago, no trouble). Make sure whoever you choose has a rep near you that you can hassle.
rob
I have been trying really hard to come up with a design that would meet my requirements for a cruising boat and still fit in a 40' container (in pieces). Someone brought up the fact that there are 48' containers and I even found out that there are 53' containers. I have put in quote requests from 3 or 4 companies, but when I have tried that before, I haven't got much of a response because I am not ready to place a shipping order, so they don't really care about responding.
I have found remarks on the internet about "flat pack" containers, that are just a base for you to mount a boat on and then it gets put on the top of the pile. One comment gave a figure of about $1/ft for boat shipping. Since I figure I can get the beam down to 12' or less, I don't think I would add any extra expense for it being a proa.Anyway, my question is if anyone here has had any experience with shipping boats and/or containers; especially between the US and Australia. At $1/ft, the shipping for a 50 ft harryproa would be in the same range as the cost of the boat. I have some number of about $6K for a 40' container. Anyone know if the "non-standard" containers are dramatically different? All my info is weak, so I am looking for confirmation, or contradiction.Thanks,- Gardner