How to Convey a Watercraft
Discovering a Trustworthy Watercraft Transportation Service
Whether you're buying a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one spot to another, locating a reliable boat shipping company that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare dependable boat transporters in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
Elements Influencing Watercraft Shipping Prices
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the numerous factors that can affect quotes. On average, short distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can impact the price of your boat transportation include:
- Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will significantly influence the cost. Domestic shipping within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Watercraft Size - The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be shipped internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can also impact the cost.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year - Seasonality can also influence pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions and available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for your boat transportation, you must provide the dimensions of your vessel to potential boat movers. 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 of what to measure:
- 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 roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate Watercraft Transport Services
Shiply can help streamline the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel and the pickup & 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 precise 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 trust the reliability of the company. 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 Watercraft for Transport
Once you've selected 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, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid late mishaps.
- Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails - If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence - Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
Post-Delivery Measures
After 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 still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to spot any damages that may have occurred during transit.
Once the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover to help future Shiply users browse services with confidence and assist your mover in understanding how their level of service was received.
Watercraft Transport in Westminster, Colorado, US
Westminster, Colorado, US is a popular location for boat transport due to its proximity to various lakes and reservoirs. Many people often move boats to and from Westminster for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, and boating. The city's central location within the state also makes it a convenient hub for boat transport companies serving the region.
When transporting a boat to or from Westminster, it's crucial to choose a reputable boat transport company that has experience navigating the area's roads and highways. Shiply can help connect you with reliable boat movers in Westminster, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely and on time.