Transporting a Watercraft from Hilo, Hawaii
Moving a watercraft can be a complex undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another. Discovering a dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your needs can be difficult, particularly if you're transporting your watercraft to or from Hilo, Hawaii. However, with Shiply, you can locate & compare reliable boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin searching for a boat transport company, you need to determine precisely what service you require.
What Is the Cost to Move a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price for boat transport because there are numerous variables that can influence the quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some of the factors that can affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is typically less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to travel internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Watercraft Size: The size of the vessel you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the watercraft can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also influence the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring 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.
Why People Frequently Relocate Boats to and from Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts, with its stunning beaches, clear waters, and breathtaking scenery. Many individuals choose to relocate their boats to Hilo for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Vacation: Hilo is a popular vacation destination, and many people choose to bring their boats with them to enjoy the beautiful waters and scenery.
- Retirement: Some individuals choose to retire in Hilo and bring their boats with them to enjoy their golden years on the water.
- Boat Shows: Hilo hosts several boat shows throughout the year, and many people choose to transport their boats to and from these events.
- Boat Sales: Hilo is also a popular place to buy and sell boats, with many individuals choosing to transport their boats to and from the island for this purpose.
How to Accurately Measure Your Watercraft
To get 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 of how to measure your boat:
- 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, and often it can seem overwhelming given all of 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.
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 Watercraft to be Shipped
Once you've looked at all of your quotes and chosen one you're happy 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'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 the majority 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're transporting, then 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 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 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 which have 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 to understand how their level of service was received.
In conclusion, moving a watercraft to or from Hilo, Hawaii can be a complex process, but with the assistance of Shiply, you can find reliable and affordable boat transport companies that will make the process as smooth as possible. By properly measuring your boat, preparing it for transport, and checking its condition upon arrival, you can ensure that your boat arrives at its destination safely and securely.