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Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft


Whether you're purchasing a watercraft, vending an aged one, or simply require to relocate your vessel from one spot to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% less than standard rates. But initially, you need to determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.


What is the Cost to Transport a Watercraft?


It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect how much your boat transportation will cost include:


Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will greatly influence the price. If the vessel only needs to be moved within the US, then the most probable method will be through inland transportation on a trailer, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are a few options. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method of international boat transport & involves your vessel staying on a trailer for the entire trip. If your watercraft is a standard size, you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a less expensive international boat transport method. If it's a big boat that you need to move internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your watercraft can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle. Finally, there's always the option of submersion when looking at international boat delivery options, which simply involves your vessel being loaded & unloaded from the water.


Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.


Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.


Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can influence pricing as well, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur extra costs for the additional miles required to pick it up.


Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all influence road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.


How to Accurately Measure Your Watercraft


In order for you to get a precise 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 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, & 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 things that need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem daunting given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can aid you. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply 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. This gives you a great place to compare your options.


Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & 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 & 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.


Bolingbrook Boat Transport


Bolingbrook, Illinois, US is a popular location for people to move their boats to & from. Many boat owners in the area enjoy spending time on the nearby lakes & rivers, & often need to transport their boats for storage or maintenance. Bolingbrook is conveniently located near major highways, making it easy for boat transport companies to access the area. Whether you're moving to Bolingbrook & need to bring your boat with you, or you're selling your boat to someone in another state, there are many reliable boat transport companies that can help you get your boat where it needs to go.


Preparing for Your Watercraft to be Shipped


Once you've looked at all of your quotes & chosen one you're 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's transported. Not only will this mean you can remove any personal belongings & 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 & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.


Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most 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 & 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 & 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, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.


Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & 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.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Do I Need To Take My Boat Anywhere?

Typically, boat transporters on Shiply will be able to pick your boat up from wherever it is located and will use special boat trailers to do so. If your journey is strictly overseas then it may be cheaper to drive to the port yourself, but boat transporters will always be able to collect your boat, wherever it is.

Can I Keep Items In My Boat During Transportation?

This will likely be up to your boat transporter's discretion, so make sure to ask! One thing to note is that the items will likely not be covered by the insurance that covers the boat, so don't leave anything in there you cannot easily replace.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 447,168 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 2 6 7 4 3 1 0 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

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Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

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"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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