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, finding a reliable boat transport company that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare dependable boat haulers with 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 aims to help you in doing just that.
Elements Influencing the Price of Watercraft Transportation
It's difficult to provide an exact 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 transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Watercraft Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also impact the cost.
- Locations of Pickup and 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 influence pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To obtain accurate quotes for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. 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:
- 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 over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Watercraft Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your watercraft 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 the company is trustworthy. 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 Shipping
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, you may require some paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and assess the condition of your watercraft prior to pickup.
- 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 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. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft 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 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 spot any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Watercraft Transport in Dover, Delaware, US
Dover, the capital city of Delaware, is a popular location for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their "boar" to and from Dover for various reasons, such as recreational activities, boat shows, or relocation. The city's proximity to the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean makes it an ideal spot for boating and fishing.
When transporting a watercraft to or from Dover, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport company that can handle the specific requirements of the journey. Factors such as the size of the boat, the distance of the trip, and the mode of transportation (e.g., trailer, container, or submersion) should be carefully considered to ensure a smooth and safe transport process.
By using Shiply, boat owners in Dover can easily find and compare quotes from trustworthy boat movers, making the process of transporting their vessels more convenient and affordable. Whether you're moving your boat within Dover or to another location, Shiply can help you find the right boat transport company for your needs.