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A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat


Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be a daunting task. On Shiply, you can uncover & compare reputable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before proceeding, you must ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport oak lawn and oak lawn boat transport.


The Expense of Transporting a Boat


It's difficult to offer a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. Nevertheless, on average, short distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Several factors can impact the expense of your boat transportation, such as:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to traverse greatly affects the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact 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 an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies 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. Vessels over this size may require a special permit to travel.


How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies


There are many aspects to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & 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 & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more precise these quotes will be, giving you an excellent place 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 remain confident 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 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% more affordable than standard rates.


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. Ensure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment and assess its condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your 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 your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.


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: Ensure 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 to spot any damages that occurred during transit and raise them 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 Oak Lawn, Illinois


Oak Lawn, situated in Illinois, US, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Oak Lawn for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, repairs, or participation in boating events. The city's proximity to Lake Michigan and several inland lakes makes it an ideal location for boating activities.


When considering boat transport oak lawn or oak lawn boat transport, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced company. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in the Oak Lawn area, ensuring your boat is transported safely & efficiently.


In conclusion, transporting a boat requires careful planning & consideration of various factors. By using Shiply to find reliable boat transport companies, accurately measuring your boat, preparing it for shipping, and following the necessary steps after delivery, you can ensure a smooth & successful boat transportation experience, whether in Oak Lawn or elsewhere.

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!"

Sophie G Testimonial

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

Gary M.

"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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