A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable boat movers with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, it's essential to determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing exactly that.
The Expense of Moving a Boat
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the many factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can impact the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly affect the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is usually less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require special arrangements.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to supply one can also impact the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also influence pricing, as ice, wind, & snow can alter available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you must provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. 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 tip of the bow to the center 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, and 7'8" wide. Boats surpassing this size may require a special permit for transportation.
How Shiply Can Assist You in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of locating a dependable boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more precise these quotes will be, giving you a great platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and comments 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 benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% less expensive than 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. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary paperwork on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment and assess your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your 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 you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as proof of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
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: 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 prior to pickup. This will help you identify any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback & 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.
Boat Transport in Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington, Illinois, US, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to and from the area. Located in the heart of Central Illinois, Bloomington offers easy access to several lakes & rivers, making it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts.
Many people choose to move their boats to Bloomington for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, and cruising. The city's proximity to Lake Bloomington & Evergreen Lake attracts boat owners from surrounding areas. Additionally, some individuals relocate their boats to Bloomington when moving to the city or when selling their vessel to a buyer in the area.
When searching for "boat transport bloomington" or "bloomington boat transport," it's crucial to find a reliable and experienced company to ensure your boat arrives safely at its destination. By using Shiply to compare quotes & reviews from trusted boat movers, you can make an informed decision and enjoy a seamless boat transportation experience to or from Bloomington, Illinois.