A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable boat movers with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, it's essential to identify precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Moving a Boat
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is usually less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for transportation by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to supply one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply can help streamline the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can 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 trust the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another advantage 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 Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote 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 certain documents. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and also gives you 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 potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're 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 serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
After Delivery: What to Do
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, there are 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 operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Sitka, Alaska, US
Sitka, a scenic city situated on Baranof Island in southeast Alaska, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Sitka for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, recreational activities, or relocation. Sitka boat transport services play a vital role in facilitating these movements, ensuring that vessels are safely and efficiently transported to their desired destinations.
When considering boat transport in Sitka, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced company that understands the unique challenges of navigating the region's waterways and roads. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat transport sitka providers who offer competitive rates and exceptional service. By comparing quotes and reading reviews from previous customers, you can make an informed decision and ensure that your boat is in capable hands during its journey to or from Sitka, Alaska, US.