How to Convey a Watercraft
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can effortlessly find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. Before you begin, it's crucial to ascertain exactly what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
Supplying a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the numerous variables that influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some essential factors that affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to traverse significantly impacts the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options like Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for road transportation.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.
Gauging Your Boat Accurately
To receive a precise quote for boat transportation costs, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick overview:
- Overall Length: Measure from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measure from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: Measure the overall width of the boat 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 for transportation.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Considering all the variables involved, finding a boat transport company can seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply comes in. Simply enter your boat's make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate the quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility. An added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, making it up to 75% more affordable than standard rates and environmentally friendly.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup. Secure loose items like lifejackets, disconnect the battery, and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If 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.
Post-Delivery Steps
After your boat has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs: Verify that the boat's engines 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 before pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, allowing you to raise the issue with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Winter Haven, Florida: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Winter Haven, situated in central Florida, is a popular destination for boat owners. With its numerous lakes and close proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, many people choose to move their boats to and from Winter Haven for various reasons. Some may be relocating permanently, while others may be seeking a change of scenery for their boating adventures. Regardless of the reason, boat transport companies are well-equipped to handle the unique challenges of moving boats to and from this area, ensuring that your vessel arrives safely and securely at its destination.