How to Convey a Watercraft from Lewiston, Idaho
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging 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 reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can locate & compare dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
What Is the Cost to Transport a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is the most probable method, which is usually more economical than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. For instance, 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: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one 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, 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 available routes 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 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 simply 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, & 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 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 precise these quotes will be, giving 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 remain confident 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 already making the journeys and are looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Shipped
Once you have looked at all of your quotes and 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 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 and 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 and 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 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 to understand how their level of service was received.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston, Idaho is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts due to its location at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. The city offers easy access to a variety of waterways, including the Snake River, which is known for its excellent fishing and scenic beauty. Many people choose to transport their boats to Lewiston for recreational activities such as fishing, water skiing, and cruising.
In addition to its recreational appeal, Lewiston is also a hub for boat transport due to its proximity to major highways and its central location in the Pacific Northwest. Boat owners often use Lewiston as a starting point or destination when transporting their vessels to other parts of the region or across the country.
Whether you're a local resident looking to enjoy the waterways around Lewiston or a boat owner in need of reliable transport services, Shiply can help you find the right boat transport company for your needs. With a network of trusted boat movers and competitive quotes, Shiply makes it easy to get your boat where it needs to go, whether you're moving to or from Lewiston or anywhere else in the US.
