transporting gear to the gorge

[stevemadere]

Every year I go to the gorge for about six weeks in the summer.

For most of the rest of the year, the same gear I sail in the gorge is
(sporadically) appropriate for my home sailing area (Austin, TX).

Gear changes fast enough that it does not quite make sense
for me to buy two sets of gear and leave one set in storage in HR.
(My wife and two of my kids also sail)

However, getting the stuff to HR and back has become a collosal
PITA.

Last year, my kids had not yet acquired their own boards so I only
had to transport my gear and my wife's and it was definitely pushing
the limits to check it on Southwest Airlines. Other airlines don't even
take the stuff at all.

This year, I've got two more boards and four more rigs for the kids.

FedEx and UPS claim to just not accept stuff as big as a windsurfer for shipment
although I have certainly received boards via FedEx from various shops.

Any ideas on shipping my gear to HR? (hopefully without having to
drive back to Portland to pick it up at the front and drop it off at the back end)

Thanks for any advice.

- Steve Madere

[hilton08]

With that much gear and that long of a vacation, why don't you just drive to the Gorge? Then you'll have a vehicle to use while you are there also.

[cgoudie1]

I solved this conundrum by having 2 sets of gear, and keeping one
set up there, but there's not that much overlap between the gear I ride
there, and the gear I ride in Utah, so it doesn't bother me.
Since you don't want to do that.
How about buying some used gear when you get there, and then reselling
it when you leave. It might be less expensive than shipping,
and it could be fun for your fam. Or,
being up there for 6 weeks, surely you've made some friends whose gear
you could "borrow" or rent for 6 weeks?

Fed X Freight will take your boards (and sails, and 2 piece masts)
no problem, it's probably gonna cost you about $100 per kit.

-Craig

[windanceshop1]

Hi,

I think someoen gave you bad info becuase FEDEX ships boards for us all the time. To Texas $80-100. Best if you pack it and deliver to their depot.
If we can help , let me know.

Dave
Windance

[windanceshop1]

Hi,

I think someoen gave you bad info becuase FEDEX ships boards for us all the time. To Texas $80-100. Best if you pack it and deliver to their depot.
If we can help , let me know.

Dave
Windance

[flaherty]

Last year I used Amtrack, and shipped two boards 3 sails, booms, mast ect from Boston for $135 , Yea you have to pick it up it portland, but very easy. Shipping home only cost $90 . The workers were suprisingly nice, and helpful on both ends. You have to wrap the stuff up, but I wasn't overly protective, and it was fine. I think this is the absolute cheapest way.
It takes a few days to get there, only three from Boston, but they quoted
me up to a week.
My first time at the Gorge, i loved it, fun sailing.

[swchandler]

The latest Open Ocean I bought in 2008 was shipped by UPS Freight from the Seattle area to Santa Barbara. UPS Freight is a separate trucking segment in the UPS corporate picture, and it's not the same segment that we normally use for relatively small shipments. I paid about $135 for the shipment, but I picked up it up at one of their regional centers in Oxnard, which was approximately 45 miles away.

[isobars]

There are also several good WSing opportunities between Austin and the Gorge if you don't travel too late into the summer. NM blows like holy stink in the spring, and has some excellent sailing. Utah also has some excellent sailing 100 yards off the freeway; some friends once cruised past it fighting 40-mph crosswinds on their way to the Gorge .... where they got skunked. On many of my trips from Albuquerque to Corpus, the only sailing to be had was at lakes between ABQ and Corpus. We were dang glad we had stopped to sail when the opportunity presented itself.

Then there's the reality of Gorge sailing. I presume you know that mobility, flexibility, and some means of camping out can dramatically increase one's shred time and vacation experience here. If you're leaving a camper or van at home to rent a car and motel here, you might want to consider the possibilities.

Mike \m/

[Mulekick84]

I broke down several years ago and duplicated my gear at the Gorge. I have a large Ford van that I leave in Portland. 5 boards, 8 sails, 5 masts, 3 booms, too much to haul around!

I took some of my gear out and bought everything else that I need for me and my wife. You'd be surprised how far the money you are paying for shipping will go at one of the swap meets. I've seen full quivers of decent sails go for $200.00, mast for $50 bucks, etc. You just mix in new stuff and old stuff, but there is so much gear in the Gorge, deals are everywhere. We just get a couple of new things each year and stick a couple things in the consignment shop. 2nd Wind has sold everything we've given them.

Its been a good thing for us and now I just take my mountain bike and wetsuits on the plane. Alleviates a huge headache, especially the one that comes after the gate agent tells you your coffin bag won't fit on the plane 10 minutes after your ride drives off!