Navigating the Intricacies of Vessel Transportation
Regardless of whether you're acquiring a watercraft, offloading a pre-owned one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one locale to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be an arduous task. On Shiply, you can uncover & contrast reputable boat haulers in just a handful of clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more economical than conventional rates. However, before proceeding, you must ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing precisely that.
The Expense of Transporting a Watercraft
It's challenging to provide a precise cost due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. Nevertheless, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul voyages can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can impact the expense of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The span your vessel needs to be transported will significantly affect the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, options encompass Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your watercraft can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot. Boat size can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also impact the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions & alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you must provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very tip of the bow to the center 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are numerous factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site. Boat moving 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 great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers & accessibility.
Another bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys & looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Vessel for Shipping
Once you've perused all your quotes & selected 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 documents. Ensure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit. It also 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, like lifejackets, & disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, & disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
Post-Delivery Procedures
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 & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates 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 complete, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence, & helps your mover understand how their service was received.
Bonita Springs, Florida: A Sought-After Locale for Boat Transport
Bonita Springs, situated in southwest Florida, is a popular destination for boat owners. With its stunning beaches, balmy weather, & easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, it's no wonder why many people opt to transport their boats to & from this area.
Whether you're relocating to Bonita Springs permanently or just visiting for a season, boat transport companies can assist you in getting your vessel there safely & efficiently. Many boat owners in Bonita Springs rely on professional boat transport services to move their boats to & from storage facilities, marinas, or even their own private docks.
If you're searching for reliable boat transport in Bonita Springs, consider using Shiply to find & compare quotes from trusted boat movers in the area. With Shiply, you can easily find "boat transport bonita springs" & "bonita springs boat transport" services at competitive rates, making it easier than ever to enjoy your time on the water in this beautiful part of Florida.