How to Convey a Watercraft from Pelham, Alabama
Conveying a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing one, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate it from one place to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can locate and evaluate dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
How Much Does It Cost to Convey a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is the most likely method, which is usually cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The size of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
How to Accurately Gauge Your Watercraft
To obtain a precise quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps 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 over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup & 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 information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe in the knowledge 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 bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying for Your Watercraft to be Shipped
Once you've looked at all your quotes and 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 you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. This allows you to remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit. It also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pick up, in case anything occurs. Make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- 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 that may occur in transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: We highly recommend documenting your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before it's picked up. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
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: Check that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pick up. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, and you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback and 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.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Pelham, Alabama
Pelham, Alabama, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts due to its proximity to several lakes and rivers, including Oak Mountain State Park and the Cahaba River. Many people relocate their boats to Pelham to enjoy these picturesque waterways and participate in activities such as fishing, water skiing, and cruising.
Additionally, Pelham is home to several marinas and boat storage facilities, making it a convenient location for boat owners to keep their vessels when not in use. Some people may also move their boats from Pelham to other parts of the country for seasonal use or to participate in boating events and competitions.
Whether you're moving a boat to or from Pelham, Alabama, using a reliable boat transport service like those found on Shiply can ensure your vessel arrives safely and efficiently at its destination.