How to Convey a Vessel: An All-Encompassing Manual
Conveying a vessel can be an intimidating undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new boat, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your watercraft from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can effortlessly find & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin, it's essential to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in navigating the process of boat transportation.
The Expense of Boat Transportation
Supplying a precise price for boat transportation is challenging due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Several factors can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel greatly impacts the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also affect the routes available for transportation by road.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat haulers to provide one can also affect the expense of your boat transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup & delivery locations can influence pricing. Remote areas may incur additional costs for the extra miles required to pick up or deliver your boat.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which may alter the available routes for transportation.
Measuring Your Boat Precisely
To obtain an accurate quote for boat transport, you need to provide potential boat haulers with the dimensions of your vessel. Although the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, we recommend double-checking them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of the key measurements:
- 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 these dimensions may require a special permit for transport.
Discovering Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply simplifies the process of finding reliable boat transport companies. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat, along with the pickup and drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site. Boat hauling companies will then send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat hauler who quotes you, ensuring you can choose a reliable company with confidence. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. An added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, which can be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates and is also good for the environment.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents at hand to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and also gives you a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pickup. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup. Also, disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're 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. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
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:
- Check Vital Signs: Verify that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, allowing you to raise the issue with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat hauler. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your hauler to understand how their level of service was received.
New London, Connecticut: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
New London, Connecticut, US, is a popular location for boat transport. Many people often move their boats to and from New London for various reasons. The city's prime location on the coast of Long Island Sound makes it an ideal spot for boating enthusiasts. New London is home to several marinas and yacht clubs, offering a wide range of services for boat owners, including storage, maintenance, and repairs.
Additionally, New London's rich maritime history and scenic beauty attract many visitors who wish to explore the area by boat. The city's proximity to other popular boating destinations, such as the Hamptons and Martha's Vineyard, also contributes to the high demand for boat transport services in the region.
Whether you're a local resident or a visitor looking to enjoy the waters around New London, using a reliable boat transport service can ensure that your vessel arrives safely and efficiently at its destination. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and choosing a reputable company like Shiply, you can make the process of transporting your boat to or from New London a seamless and stress-free experience.
