A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location 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 in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. But first, you need to determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport Springdale and why people frequently move boats to & from Springdale, Arkansas, US.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can affect quotes, but on average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Several factors can influence the expense of your boat transportation, such as:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported within the US, the most probable method will be through inland transportation on a trailer, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to travel internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
Boat Size - The size of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also impact which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for the additional miles required to pick it up.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To get a precise quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
Overall Length - This is measured from the very end of the bow to the middle 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 just the overall width of the boat, so measure 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 require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many things 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 & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can stay safe in the knowledge that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another 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 Boat for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one you're happy with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
Documents - If your boat 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.
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 prior to pickup should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and the majority of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as 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 it's a sailboat you're transporting, 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 photographs before it's picked up, as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
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 operate as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. 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 has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, as well as helping your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Springdale Boat Transport
Springdale, Arkansas, US, is a popular destination for boat owners, with many people moving their boats to and from the area. This is due to the city's proximity to several lakes and rivers, including Beaver Lake and the White River, which offer excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities.
When transporting a boat to or from Springdale, it's essential to choose a reliable boat transport company that has experience navigating the area's roads and waterways. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in Springdale, ensuring that your boat arrives at its destination safely and on time.