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Navigating the Complexities of Vessel Transportation


Regardless of whether you're acquiring a watercraft, disposing of an aged one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one locale to another, discovering a dependable boat transport firm that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can uncover & contrast trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% less than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.


The Expense of Boat Transportation


It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the expense of your boat transportation include:


  • Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.

  • Boat Size - The dimensions of your vessel can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.

  • Trailer - Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also influence the cost.

  • Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.

  • Time of Year - Seasonality can also impact pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions and available routes.

Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft


To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your vessel, you must provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies 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 watercraft, 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 necessitate a special permit to travel.


How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies


There are many aspects 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 watercraft and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site. Boat moving companies will then send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more info you provide, the more precise these quotes will be, giving you an excellent place to compare your options.


Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility.


Another 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 Your Vessel 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 lets you 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 pickup in case anything happens.

  • 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 and 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 if any damages occur while it's being transported.

Post-Delivery Steps


Once your watercraft 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 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.

Once 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 service was received.


Boat Transport in Tucson, Arizona


Tucson, Arizona is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts, with many people relocating their vessels to and from the city. Situated in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. The city is home to several lakes and reservoirs, including Patagonia Lake and Parker Canyon Lake, which are popular spots for fishing, water skiing, and other aquatic activities.


If you're seeking boat transport in Tucson, there are several companies that specialize in this service. These firms can assist you in moving your watercraft safely and efficiently, whether you're bringing it to Tucson for a vacation or relocating it to a new home. When selecting a boat transport company in Tucson, be sure to look for one with experience in the area and a good reputation for customer service.


Some popular boat transport companies in Tucson include Tucson Boat Transport and Boat Transport Tucson. These firms offer a range of services, including local and long-distance transport, as well as storage and maintenance. They can also provide advice on preparing your boat for transport and ensuring that it arrives at its destination in good condition.


Overall, if you're looking to transport a boat to or from Tucson, Arizona, there are plenty of options available. By doing your research and choosing a reputable boat transport company, you can ensure that your vessel arrives safely and on time, ready for your next adventure on the water.

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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