Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Whether you're acquiring a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can locate & compare reliable boat haulers in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. 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 the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of your 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, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions 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 require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions & alter available transportation routes.
How to Accurately Measure 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 provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on transport day. 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, & 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, & it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, pickup location, & drop-off location, you can simply enter this info on our site. Boat moving companies will then send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving 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. This means 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 bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys & looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes & chosen one 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 ready to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This lets you remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment you don't want lost during transit. It also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup in case anything happens. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like life jackets, & disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup. Also disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any 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. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition if any damages occur during transport.
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 ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs: Check that the boat's engines still run & 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 complete, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence & helps your mover understand how their service was received.
Boat Transport in Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka, situated in northern Indiana, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Located along the St. Joseph River, Mishawaka provides easy access to several lakes & waterways, making it an ideal location for boat owners. Many people often move their boats to & from Mishawaka for various reasons, such as seasonal storage, repairs, or participation in boating events.
When it comes to boat transport in Mishawaka, it's crucial to choose a reliable & experienced company that can handle your specific needs. Whether you're moving a small fishing boat or a large yacht, professional boat movers in Mishawaka can ensure that your vessel arrives at its destination safely & on time. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple boat transport companies in Mishawaka & find the best option for your budget & requirements.