A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another, discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat transporters in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. But first, you must identify precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport Opelika and Opelika boat transport.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range between $150 & $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will greatly impact the cost. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the expense.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To get a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend verifying yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: The overall width of the boat, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, which can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can remain confident that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another added benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads. This means not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% less expensive than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit and get a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, the hard part is over, but there are still a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs: Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence and helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, situated in Alabama, US, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Opelika for various reasons, such as participating in boating events, enjoying the beautiful lakes and rivers in the area, or simply storing their boats during the off-season.
When it comes to boat transport Opelika, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced company that can handle the unique challenges of transporting boats in and out of the city. Opelika boat transport companies are well-versed in navigating the local roads and waterways, ensuring that your boat arrives at its destination safely and on time.
By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free boat transportation experience, whether you're moving your boat to or from Opelika or anywhere else in the country.
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