Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Whether you're purchasing a watercraft, offloading an aged one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one locale to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & contrast trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% less than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to all the factors that can influence quotes, but on average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while lengthier trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, there are numerous elements that can impact how much your boat transportation will cost. Here are some crucial things to consider:
- Distance - The distance your boat needs to traverse will greatly affect the price. If the boat only needs to be relocated within the US, then the most probable method will be by trailer, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another nation, it can be more costly. There are a few options for international boat transport, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
- Boat Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly affect the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be shipped 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 moving by road.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing too. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles required to get it.
- Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions, which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
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. Here's a quick 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 factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all 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 info 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, so you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers & accessibility. Another added bonus of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the trips & 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.
Readying for Your Boat to Be Shipped
Once you've looked at all your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to get your boat ready for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need some documents. Make sure you have these handy if you need them to avoid any last-minute problems.
- Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this let you 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 before pickup in case anything happens. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like life jackets, & disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel before pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
- Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, 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 photos before it's picked up. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition if 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 there are still a few steps you can take to make sure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs - Check that the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still works as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, & help your mover understand how their service was received.
Boat Transport in Elgin, Illinois
Elgin, Illinois is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to & from. Situated in the northeastern part of the state, Elgin is renowned for its picturesque waterways & proximity to Lake Michigan. Many people choose to relocate their watercraft to Elgin for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, & cruising. Additionally, Elgin's central location makes it a convenient hub for boat transport, with easy access to major highways & transportation routes. Whether you're relocating to Elgin or simply need to transport your boat for maintenance or storage, there are many reliable boat transport companies in the area that can assist you with your needs.