A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting Your 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 trustworthy 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 just that.
The Expense of Moving a Boat
Offering a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various factors that can affect quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul trips can range from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can influence the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. 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 may require special arrangements.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to supply one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain a precise quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with the correct dimensions of your vessel. While the manufacturer usually supplies these measurements, we recommend double-checking them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what to measure:
- Overall Length: Measure from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measure from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: Measure the overall width of the boat from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit for transportation.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding reliable boat transport companies. Once you have the make, measurements, and pickup and drop-off locations for your boat, simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a convenient way 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 can trust the reliability of the company. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. Additionally, using Shiply is often up to 75% cheaper than standard rates, as drivers are frequently making the journeys already and looking for extra loads, which is also beneficial for the environment.
Readying Your Boat for Shipment
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents readily available.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport, removing personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup, which can serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
After Delivery: What to Do
Once your boat has reached 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 exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If you notice any issues, raise them with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we kindly ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover on Shiply. This helps future users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Naperville, Illinois
Naperville, situated in the state of Illinois, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often move their boats to and from Naperville for various reasons, such as recreational activities on the nearby waterways or for storage purposes during the off-season. When searching for reliable boat transport services in this area, consider using keywords like "boat transport naperville" or "naperville boat transport" to find local providers who can assist you with your specific needs.
By following this comprehensive guide and utilizing Shiply's platform, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free boat transportation experience, whether you're moving your vessel to or from Naperville or any other location.