How to Convey a Watercraft from Fort Smith, Arkansas
Moving 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 dependable boat transport company in Fort Smith that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can locate and evaluate trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. First, though, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price because numerous factors can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned earlier, various factors can alter the cost of your boat transportation. Here are some crucial considerations:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported within the US, it will likely be moved on a trailer, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to be shipped to another country, it can cost more. There are several options for international boat transport:
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) is the most common method and involves your boat remaining on a trailer for the entire journey.
- If your boat is a standard size, you might consider using an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more affordable way to transport a boat internationally.
- If you have a large boat that needs to be transported internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle.
- Finally, there's always the option of submersion when considering international boat delivery options. This simply means your boat is loaded and unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also significantly affect the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be shipped internationally using enclosed containers, but larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also influence which routes a boat transport company can take if they're transporting it by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one, this can also impact the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur additional costs due to the extra miles required to retrieve it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all alter road conditions, which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. The manufacturer will typically provide these, but we recommend verifying them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length - This is measured from the very tip of the bow to the center of the stern.
- Overall Height - This is measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam - The beam is simply the overall width of the boat, so measure 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.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are numerous factors 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 you. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site. Then, boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be. This gives you an excellent platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to see ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you. This means you can remain 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 advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the trips and are looking for additional loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than normal rates.
Why People Frequently Move Boats To & From Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith, situated in the western part of Arkansas along the Arkansas River, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. The city's proximity to several lakes and rivers makes it an ideal location for boat owners to enjoy their watercraft. Many people transport their boats to Fort Smith to take advantage of the excellent fishing opportunities in the area, particularly for bass and catfish.
Additionally, Fort Smith is home to several marinas and boat storage facilities, making it a convenient place for boat owners to keep their vessels when not in use. The city's central location within the United States also makes it a popular stopover point for those transporting their boats across the country.
Whether you're a local resident looking to move your boat to a nearby lake or an out-of-state visitor planning to explore the waterways around Fort Smith, there are plenty of reasons why people choose to transport their boats to and from this vibrant Arkansas city.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Shipped
Once you've reviewed all your quotes and chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need some documents. Ensure you have these ready if you need them to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this allow you to remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, but it also means you can get a good idea of the condition of your boat before pick up in case anything happens. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like life jackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel before 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, you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photos before it's picked up. This will come in handy as evidence of its condition before transport if any damages occur while it's being moved.
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 works as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat when it arrives to the photos taken before 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 also helps your mover understand how their service was received.
