Man, I thought I had it good--I ship Hobie masts and the best I have found was dropping it off at a terminal and having the buyer pick it up at another terminal. It was $250 to ship a Hobie 18 mast to Colorado from VA and $250 to ship a Hobie 16 mast to NY (via some ferry). I also wrapped it in cardboard and used about a whole roll of packing tape. That and at least a 6 pack of beer. I used Old Dominion Freight.