Transporting a Watercraft from Bethel, Alaska, USA
Locating a Trustworthy Watercraft Transport Service
Whether you're buying a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, finding a reliable watercraft transport service that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can identify & compare reputable watercraft movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, you must establish precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that, particularly if you're seeking watercraft transport in Bethel, Alaska, USA.
Elements Influencing the Price of Watercraft Transport
It's difficult to provide a precise price due to the numerous factors that can affect quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can influence the price of your watercraft transportation include:
1. Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the USA is typically less expensive than international travel.
2. Watercraft Size - The size of the watercraft you want to transport can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized watercrafts can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, whereas larger vessels cannot.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own watercraft trailer or require the watercraft movers to provide one can also impact the cost of your watercraft transportation.
4. Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your watercraft, you need to provide potential watercraft movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Measure the overall length from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern, the overall height from the highest (non-removable) point of the watercraft to the bottom of the keel, and the beam, which is the overall width of the watercraft from the two widest points. A 'standard' watercraft is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Watercrafts over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist You in Finding Watercraft Transport Services
Shiply can help you navigate the many considerations involved in finding a watercraft transport service. Once you have the make and measurements of your watercraft and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, and watercraft moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more precise 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 watercraft mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the reliability of the company. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. An added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Watercraft for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your watercraft for transport. Some steps you should take include:
1. Documents - If your watercraft 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.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your watercraft before it is transported. This allows you to remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit and gives you a good idea of the condition of your watercraft prior to pickup.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and the majority of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the watercraft lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence - Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it is picked up. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it is being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
1. Check Vital Signs - Check that the watercraft's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the watercraft 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 watercraft transport company.
After the watercraft transport is completed, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen watercraft mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence and help your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Why People Often Move Watercrafts to and from Bethel, Alaska, USA
Bethel, Alaska, USA, is a popular destination for watercraft enthusiasts due to its stunning natural beauty and abundant fishing opportunities. Many people choose to transport their watercrafts to Bethel to enjoy the pristine waters and diverse marine life. Others may need to move their watercrafts from Bethel after a fishing season or when selling their vessel to someone in another location. Regardless of the reason, reliable watercraft transport services are essential for safely moving watercrafts to and from this remote Alaskan city.