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Relocating a Vessel: An All-Inclusive Manual


Whether you're acquiring a new watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another, discovering a trustworthy boat transportation service that satisfies all your requirements can be daunting. Shiply enables you to uncover & contrast dependable boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently providing estimates up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you commence, it's essential to ascertain the precise service you necessitate. This manual aims to aid you in accomplishing precisely that.


The Expense of Boat Relocation


Supplying a precise cost for boat relocation can be challenging due to the numerous factors that influence estimates. On average, short-distance transport can span from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some of the primary elements that impact the expense of boat transportation include:


1. Distance - The distance your vessel needs to traverse significantly affects the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers for standard-sized boats, flat racks for larger vessels, and submersion.


2. Boat Size - The dimensions of your watercraft also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also affect the routes available for road transportation.


3. Trailer - Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of transportation.


4. Pickup & Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles required.


5. Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.


Precisely Measuring Your Watercraft


To receive an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with the correct dimensions of your vessel. While the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 for transportation.


How Shiply Assists in Finding Boat Transport Companies


Shiply streamlines the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations of your boat, simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate the quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.


Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and comments for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also communicate with anyone who quotes you within our platform to discuss details such as trailers and accessibility.


An added advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and seeking additional loads. This means using Shiply is not only environmentally friendly but can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.


Readying Your Vessel for Shipment


Once you've reviewed your quotes and chosen a satisfactory one, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:


1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents readily available to avoid last-minute issues.


2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transportation. This allows you to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment, and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup in case any incidents occur during transit. Secure loose items like lifejackets, disconnect the battery, and tidy the cables.


3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will lighten the boat for transport and prevent potential leaks during 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 pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.


Post-Delivery Checklist


After your boat has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:


1. Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.


2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then address with the boat transport company.


Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly 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.


Transporting Boats to & from Arizona


Arizona, a southwestern US state known for its stunning desert landscapes and vibrant cities like Phoenix and Tucson, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their boats to and from Arizona for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, recreational purposes, or relocation.


When considering boat transport Arizona, it's essential to work with experienced and reliable arizona boat transport companies that understand the unique challenges of navigating the state's roads and climate. With proper planning and preparation, transporting your boat to or from Arizona can be a smooth & stress-free experience, allowing you to enjoy the state's beautiful lakes and rivers without hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Do I Need To Take My Boat Anywhere?

Typically, boat transporters on Shiply will be able to pick your boat up from wherever it is located and will use special boat trailers to do so. If your journey is strictly overseas then it may be cheaper to drive to the port yourself, but boat transporters will always be able to collect your boat, wherever it is.

Can I Keep Items In My Boat During Transportation?

This will likely be up to your boat transporter's discretion, so make sure to ask! One thing to note is that the items will likely not be covered by the insurance that covers the boat, so don't leave anything in there you cannot easily replace.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 447,168 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 2 6 7 4 3 1 0 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Sophie G Testimonial

Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

Gary M.

"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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