Please give me all of your opinions/ comments on this one.
I called Sonic this morning, spoke to Fred and found out my boat was shipping to my dealer here in IL. When I asked "how" it was being shipped I was told it was being pulled on a trailer behind a truck (pickup, I'm assuming) of some sort. Further, when I inquired as to if the boat was shrinkwrapped I was told ---NO! They merely put the cockpit cover on it on "drive it up to the dealer (Grand Sport)". I did have my dealer request that it be shrinkwrapped. The people in Florida may not be aware that we are experiencing a thing called winter up here and it's pretty harsh and nasty. I live 10 miles from the Wisconsin border. Believe me it's cold, snowy and messy right now!
The questions I have are.
Is this a commmon method of delivery? I always see boats being delivered (shrinkwrapped, piggy backed on one another) on flatbed trailers.
The boat WAS NOT going to be shrinkwrapped and is being driven over 1300 miles during the winter through VERY harsh roads FULL of SALT, SAND and whatever else. We (this past weekend) just got hit with a major snowstorm that dumped 5-9" snow here in the area I live (Gurnee, IL).
Has the motor been run at the factory? If it was and there is water in the block as soon as the boat get closer to the midwest (500EFI) it has now become nothing more than paperweight because the block has probably cracked.
Please settle my concerns on these matters. Am I being paranoid for nothing?
Waiting to hear comments.

see Sonic post in General discussion

That is the same way mine was delivered directly to me in Texas, there is no dealer but the miles were about the same they do run the motors but did they winterize them? I am having some warranty issues like wrong brakes on the trailer faulty power inverter and a few others and am having to pretty well have them fixed myself with very little support from sonic other than giving me a vendor name and telephone number. This could be corrected with if not an area dealer at least an authorized repair facility. Good Luck. very frustrating when the boat is not thoroughly tested before leaving the shop.

I used to deliver new Sonics for a Mid Atlantic dealer. As far as the shrinkwrapping of a new boat, they generally don't unless specified in writing. Part of their reasoning is that the paint is still fresh and the tape and shrinkwrap will damage the paintwork. I towed many a brand new Sonic through some pretty nasty weather.

While I understand the reasons doesn't mean I don't feel the same way you do.

As far as delivery. Most of the time it was on the trailer it is to stay on. Sometimes on other trailers just to get them to where they needed to go. Very rarely did they ship them with other boats on a semi.

If specified they do winterize the boat after they run it. As far as all the boats I picked up they were all seatrialed but that doesn't mean they had all the bugs worked out. Trust me on that one.

Bill
Boat Transportation of MD, Inc.

Steve, I was going through the exact same thoughts you are exactly one year ago today. My situation was a little different because I bought my boat from a dealer in Phoenix,but I was responsible for transport. I ended up having the boat on the trailer hauled by a semi pulling a flatbed trailer. I could of contracted a dually to just pull my rig but decided it would stay cleaner and deliver the trailer in "new" condition. Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of your dealer because they are probably the one's paying the freight. I also wanted to have my boat shrink wrapped but was told it wasn't that common in Arizona hence it was very pricey so I skipped it. I'm sure your engine was winterized at the factory, they know it's going north and they'ld be liable if the block was cracked. Again, this isn't the first boat they have ever shipped north in winter, but I totally understand all your concerns. By the way my boat arrived after 2300 miles with just a little road dust, the driver never hit wet roads! Even with the snow we have gotten, the freeways are dry and the cold weather will keep them that way!! It'll be fine, have a cocktail and post lots of pictures when it arrives Steve

I'll bet Grand Sport never told them to shrink wrap it for you.
Your finish is probably more at risk on a poker run than on the trailer, so I'm sure it'll be OK

Actually GSC told me Fred never told them (Mark) the exact day it was being shipped. I just happened to call Monday morning and Fred said the boat was leaving in five minutes (literally). I then called Mark and told him that I wanted it done. Hopefully it was. It's on it's way (up north) to it's new home (my house) as we speak!