Importing an engine into the UK

[WhenInDoubt!]

Hi looking at importing an outboard from Florida to the UK. Never done this so looking at advice, who would you guys used and how do i go about making sure its all boxed up or at least in a condition to ship. Any advice gratefully received

[Revenge22]

you'd need to contact a shipping broker or fedex. its really down to who and how far away the seller's shipper is. As for the engine: IMO strapping it to a pallet is out. guaranteed to get smashed. they should have an actual factory outboard motor crate if its 40hp and up or so. it bolts to a wooden block and is angled so the lower unit sits on the frame with a rag or foam under it for protection. whole thing is wood with a wood frame and a cardboard cover. no way it gets damaged unless the shipper does something really, really dumb.

[MattGreen]

Follow Revenge's advice - use a factory outboard shipping crate. Dealers throw them away. The seller should be able to get one free to cheap. It is reasonable for the seller to charge you a modest fee to mount the motor on the shipping crate - known as "palletizing" in some areas - say one(ish) hour labour to box it up really nice. The factory crates can sometimes benefit from some reinforcement. You need a lifting eye and engine hoist to do all this by the way.

Matt