How to Convey a Watercraft from Port St. Lucie, Florida, US
Relocating a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to transfer it from one location to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult, but on Shiply, you can locate and evaluate trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you require. 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 because there are numerous factors that can influence the quotes, but on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several elements can impact how much your boat transportation will cost. Here are some crucial ones:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly affect the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is the most likely method, which is usually cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, it can be more expensive. There are a few options here:
Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method of international boat transport and involves your boat staying on a trailer for the entire trip. If your boat is a standard size, you might want to consider an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a cheaper international boat transport method.
If it's a big boat that you need to transport internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle. Finally, there's always the option of submersion when looking at international boat delivery options, which simply involves your boat being loaded and unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported 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 incur extra costs 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 alter the routes available for transportation.
Reasons People Frequently Relocate Boats to & from Port St. Lucie, Florida, US
Port St. Lucie is a sought-after destination for boating enthusiasts due to its prime location on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Many individuals opt to transport their boats to Port St. Lucie to enjoy the warm weather, stunning beaches, and excellent fishing opportunities. The city is also home to several marinas and boat ramps, making it easy for boaters to access the water.
Moreover, Port St. Lucie is a thriving city with a robust economy, making it an attractive place for people to relocate. As a result, many individuals move their boats to Port St. Lucie when they relocate to the area. On the other hand, some people may need to transport their boats from Port St. Lucie if they are moving away or selling their boat to someone in another location.
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. Here's a brief 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 to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and often it can seem daunting given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help you.
Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup and 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 a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and 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 and 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've looked at all your quotes and chosen one you're happy 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 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's transported. Not only will this mean you can remove any personal belongings and 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 and tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as 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 it's a sailboat you're transporting, you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it's picked up as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
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 - Check that the boat's engines still run and 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 that occurred during transit and you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback and 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 understand how their level of service was received.