Transporting a Boat: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether you're acquiring 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. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide an exact cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also influence the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional expenses.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, & snow can alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: The overall width of the boat, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, & pickup and drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, & boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate 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, ensuring you choose a reliable company. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers & accessibility.
Using Shiply is not only beneficial for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates, as drivers are often making the journeys already & looking for extra loads.
Preparing Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents at hand.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter & prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once 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: Ensure the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to spot any damages that occurred during transit. If any issues are found, raise them with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is completed, we ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence & allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois, is a popular location for boat owners, with many people moving their boats to & from the city. Located on the Fox River, Aurora offers a variety of boating opportunities, from leisurely cruises to water sports. Whether you're relocating to Aurora or simply need to transport your boat for maintenance or storage, finding a reliable boat transport company is essential.
When searching for "boat transport Aurora" or "Aurora boat transport," keep in mind the factors that can affect pricing & the steps you should take to prepare your boat for shipping. By using Shiply to compare quotes from trusted boat movers, you can find the best option for your needs & budget, ensuring your boat arrives at its destination safely & efficiently.