How to Convey a Watercraft from Kankakee, Illinois
Conveying a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing, vending, or simply need to relocate it 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 and compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Initially, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer-haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, there are a few options:
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO): The most common method, where your boat remains on a trailer for the entire trip.
- Enclosed container: If your boat is a standard size, you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more affordable option.
- Flat rack: For large boats, a flat rack can be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle.
- Submersion: Simply involves your boat being loaded and unloaded from the water.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. Boat size can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur extra costs for the additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Gauging Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps 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 roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. 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. 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 and review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so 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 and accessibility.
Another added bonus of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the journeys and are looking for extra loads. This means not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Why People Often Relocate Boats To and From Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee, situated in northeastern Illinois, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Located along the Kankakee River, the city offers easy access to water activities and scenic views. Many people choose to relocate their boats to Kankakee for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, and leisurely cruises.
Additionally, Kankakee is home to several marinas and boat storage facilities, making it a convenient location for boat owners to keep their vessels when not in use. The city's proximity to Chicago also makes it an attractive option for those looking to store their boats closer to home while still having access to larger bodies of water like Lake Michigan.
On the other hand, some boat owners may need to transport their boats from Kankakee to other locations for various reasons, such as selling the boat, participating in boat shows or competitions, or relocating to a new area. Regardless of the reason, reliable boat transport services are essential to ensure the safe and timely delivery of these valuable assets.
Readying 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, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit. It also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup, in case anything occurs. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
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 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 operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is completed, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.