Transporting a Boat: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another, discovering a dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can uncover & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before you begin, you need to ascertain exactly what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that, especially if you're searching for boat transport Fort Lauderdale or Fort Lauderdale boat transport.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 & $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 influences the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat can also significantly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the expense.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Boat Accurately
To get a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist You in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, which can often seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply comes in. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust 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 benefit 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% more affordable than standard rates.
Preparing Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've reviewed all your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require certain documents. Make sure you have these ready to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to lose during transit and gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup in case anything happens. 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, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & 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 your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
What to Do After Delivery
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: Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify 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 and allows your mover to understand how their service was received.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Fort Lauderdale, located in the southeastern part of Florida, is known as the "Venice of America" due to its extensive canal system. The city is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts, with numerous marinas, boat rentals, and water activities available. Many people choose to relocate their boats to Fort Lauderdale to enjoy the year-round warm weather and access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, Fort Lauderdale is home to several major boat shows, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. This event showcases a wide range of boats, from small crafts to luxury yachts, and provides an excellent opportunity for boat owners to buy or sell their vessels.
Furthermore, Fort Lauderdale's central location makes it a convenient starting point for boating trips to the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and other destinations in the Caribbean. With its thriving boating community and ideal location, it's no wonder that many people choose to transport their boats to and from Fort Lauderdale.
