Locating a Trustworthy Boat Transport Service
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another, finding a reliable boat transport service that meets all your requirements can be difficult. Shiply enables you to find & compare reputable boat movers with just a few clicks, frequently providing quotes up to 75% lower than average prices. However, before you start, it's essential to identify the precise service you need. This guide will assist you in doing exactly that, particularly if you're seeking boat transport in Makakilo, Hawaii, US.
Elements Influencing Boat Transportation Prices
Offering a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various factors that affect quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that impact the price of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel significantly influences the price. Domestic transportation within the US is usually less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate alternative methods.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can also impact the cost.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Vessel for Precise Quotes
To obtain accurate quotes for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking the measurements yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what to measure:
- 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 these dimensions may necessitate a special permit for transportation.
How Shiply Assists in Finding Boat Transport Services
Shiply streamlines the process of locating boat transport services. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup and drop-off locations, you can 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 precise the quotes will be, giving you a convenient way 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 the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, which is not only good for the environment but can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
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 to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent 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 to 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 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 before pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If you notice any issues, raise them with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly 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.
Why People Frequently Move Boats to and from Makakilo, Hawaii, US
Makakilo, situated on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, US, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to transport their boats to and from Makakilo for various reasons, such as:
- Seasonal Boating: Some boat owners prefer to keep their vessels in Makakilo during the prime boating season and transport them to other locations for storage or maintenance during the off-season.
- Boat Sales: Makakilo's thriving boating community makes it an attractive place to buy or sell boats, often requiring boat transportation services.
- Recreational Boating: The stunning coastline and favorable weather conditions in Makakilo make it an ideal location for recreational boating activities, leading many people to transport their boats to the area.
- Boat Maintenance: Some boat owners may transport their vessels to Makakilo for specialized maintenance or repair services available in the area.
Regardless of the reason for transporting a boat to or from Makakilo, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced boat transport company to ensure your vessel arrives safely and on time.