Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Whether you're acquiring a vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your boat from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat shipping company that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can locate & compare reliable boat transporters in just a few clicks, frequently with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
What is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous factors that can alter quotes, but on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several elements can influence the cost of your boat transportation. We've enumerated some crucial ones below:
- Distance - The distance your boat needs to traverse will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be relocated within the US, then the most probable method will be through inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another country, it can be more costly.
- Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be shipped internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles required to pick it up.
- Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of it to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a quick overview:
- Overall Length - This is measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height - This is measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam - The beam is just the overall width of the boat, so measure 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 Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many factors that need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can aid you. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat 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. This gives you an excellent place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, meaning 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 often drivers are making the journeys already & are 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.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Shipped
Once you have looked at all of your quotes & chosen one you are satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
- Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it is transported. Not only will this mean you can remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, but it also means you can get a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pick up should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & put a stop to any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
- Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you are transporting, then you need to remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it is picked up, as this will come in handy 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, the hard part is over, but this doesn't mean there aren't 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 operate as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pick up. This will help you spot any damages which have occurred during transit, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, as well as helping your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida, US is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to & from the area. Located on the Gulf Coast, Pensacola offers easy access to the Gulf of Mexico & the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their "boar" to Pensacola for recreational purposes, such as fishing, cruising, & water sports. Others may transport their boats to Pensacola for storage or maintenance during the off-season. Whatever the reason, Pensacola boat transport services are in high demand, & Shiply can help connect boat owners with reliable & affordable boat movers in the area.
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