Transporting a Vessel in Washington, D.C., USA
Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another in Washington, D.C., USA, locating a reliable boat transportation company that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, you must identify precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing exactly that.
The Expense of Boat Transport in Washington, D.C.
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the numerous factors that can affect quotes. On average, short distance transport within Washington, D.C. can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can influence the expense of your boat transportation, including:
Distance - The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported within Washington, D.C., the most likely method will be through inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically less expensive than international travel.
Vessel Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported using enclosed containers, while larger vessels 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 require the boat haulers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs for the extra 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 available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Vessel
To get an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat haulers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with 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 vessel, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Vessels over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies in Washington, D.C.
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 vessel 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 hauler 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. This means that not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., located on the East Coast of the United States, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. With access to the Potomac River and its tributaries, as well as nearby Chesapeake Bay, Washington, D.C. offers a variety of water activities, including fishing, sailing, and cruising. Many people choose to relocate their vessels to Washington, D.C. to take advantage of these opportunities or to store their boats during the off-season.
Additionally, Washington, D.C. is home to several marinas and boat storage facilities, making it a convenient location for boat owners. Some people may also move their boats from Washington, D.C. to other parts of the country for vacations or to participate in boating events and competitions.
Readying Your Vessel for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one 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 last-minute issues.
Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before it is transported. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit and gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup, should anything occur. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as life jackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
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 any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before it is picked up. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it is being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your boat has been transported to its destination in Washington, D.C., 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 boat's exterior condition 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 completed, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat hauler so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence and help your hauler understand how their level of service was received.