The BEST way to move this is by truck, but it is not cheap. A 20 foot truck would work fine. You can put a 22-foot-long boat (or longer) diagonally on the bed of a 20 foot truck. They are about 7.5 to 8 feet wide.

If you are renting a truck one way take a look at the rates charged by Penske. Their online quoting will give you a price for the distance, and allow you 5 days to make the move and return the truck to their depot near your destination. They give you unlimited miles, although their quote to you is apparently based on the estimated distance between your origin and your destination. From Boston to Atlanta a 20 foot truck would coat you a base rate of $1629. If you reserve thius over the internet you get 105 off ($162.90) and if you are a AAA member you can get another 10% off.

You can tweek this a bit if you have a few hours time. Pick a supposed destination about 50 to 100 miles from your real destination when you ask for a rate quote. It will be a lower cost, by about 40 cents a mile, but of course you'll have to drive the truck back that distance to drop it off -- and then you'll need to gert yourself back home. If you are not renting a dolly for towing your car behind the truck, then having a friend in a chase car helps.

Oh, and figure on 10 miles per gallon with the truck. Penske's trucks have gasoline engines. 1000 miles will cost you about $175 for gas.

Then add on any local taxes or surcharges. These may vary depending on which loation you rent from.

Even with all the discounts, by the time you are done with this, moving an unfinished kayak 1000 miles by truck will cost you over $1500.

It would be cheaper to start over!

Other options exist, though.

If you crate your partially completed boat you can ship it with a moving ompany or a commercial carrier. Call your local freight forwarders or trucking firms to get estimates. Similar questions in the past have shown up on this board and prices in the $300 to $400 range could be expected. You'll need to buy materials for crating the thing, so figure another $100 for that.

For about the same price--or a little less--you can buy a kit for a 4x8 trailer. It will take about 4 hours to assemble it, and another hour to do the wiring for the lights. If the boat is crated you can just tie it down to the trailer frame and drive off. Or, if you don't crate it you should be able to put down a 10-foot-long 2x8, or a pair of 2x6's to serve as a minimalist "floor" on the trailer bed. The boat of course will be well wrapped.

Your costs here have to include having a trailer hitch installed on your car. You might be able to find a used trailer or boat trailer for less money, and that would save you assembly time, too. If you go this route be certain to have the wheel bearings serviced or replaced (they are fairly inexpensive). Bearings are about the only moving part, so treat them nicely and your trailer will roll until the tires die.

The big advantage to moving with a trailer is that for the cost of the move you have a trailer for future use, or, if you choose to not keep it, it can be quickly sold . If you buy the kit and assemble it you can sell the finished trailer for $50 to $75 more than you paid for the kit. You get cash in your pocket and get the use of the trailer for free. You are still out the price of the hitch on your car.

Before you try to carry this thing on top of your car, get a bathroom scale and weigh it. Most rooftop racks can hold two or three kayaks, so I'd estimate they could carry 100 to 125 pounds. Just to be safe, if your partially finished kayak, with strongback and forms weighs more than 100 pounds check with whoever made your rack to confirm it can take the weight. If you are borderline on weight, consider removing every other building form to lighten the load on the roof and rack. You can put those forms inside the car and, if you've marked their location accurately, return them to the strongback should they be needed later.

Just some thoughts. Hope this helps. Good luck with your move.

PGJ