Navigating the Intricacies of Boat Transportation
Regardless of whether you're acquiring a watercraft, offloading a pre-owned vessel, or simply need to relocate your boat from one locale to another, discovering a dependable boat transport enterprise that fulfills all your requirements can be an arduous task. On Shiply, you can uncover & evaluate reputable boat haulers in just a handful of clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% more economical than conventional rates. However, before proceeding, you must ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This comprehensive guide will assist you in accomplishing that objective.
Unveiling the Costs of Boat Transportation
Providing an exact figure is challenging due to the myriad factors that can influence quotes. Nevertheless, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul voyages can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can impact the expense of your boat transportation include:
Distance - The span your boat needs to traverse will significantly affect the price. If the boat only requires transport within the US, then the most probable method will be via inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically more affordable than international travel. If the boat needs to venture to another nation, it can be more costly. There are several options for international boat transport:
Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) is the most prevalent method & involves your boat remaining on a trailer for the entire journey. If your boat is a standard size, you may want to contemplate an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical international boat transport approach. If it's a sizable boat that you need to transport internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle.
Lastly, there's always the option of submersion when considering international boat delivery alternatives, which simply involves your boat being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be transported 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 transporting by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you possess your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one, this can also impact the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up & delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a role. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur additional costs for the extra miles required to retrieve it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions 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. As a brief overview:
Overall Length - This is measured from the very tip of the bow to the center 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 simply the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Leveraging Shiply to Discover Boat Transport Enterprises
Numerous factors need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can assist you. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat & 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 information you provide, the more precise these quotes will be. This offers you an excellent platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & 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 & accessibility.
Another added advantage of using Shiply is that often drivers are making the journeys already & are looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply beneficial for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipment
Once you've examined all of your quotes & selected one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Ensure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any last-minute complications.
Cleaning - It's an excellent idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this allow you to 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 understanding of the condition of your boat prior to pick up should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat such as lifejackets & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to 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 it's a sailboat you're transporting, then 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 photographs before it's picked up as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
Post-Delivery Procedures
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, the challenging part is over, but this doesn't mean there aren't a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order.
Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pick up. This will help you identify any damages which have occurred during transit & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, as well as helping your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa, Iowa, US is a popular location for people to move their boats to & from. Many boat owners in the area require reliable boat transport services to safely move their vessels. Whether you're relocating to Ottumwa or moving away from the city, finding a trustworthy boat transport company is crucial.
Boat transport Ottumwa companies specialize in transporting various types of boats, including yachts, sailboats, & motorboats. These experienced professionals ensure that your boat arrives at its destination in the same condition as it was when it left. They use state-of-the-art equipment & techniques to secure your boat during transit, minimizing the risk of damage.
When searching for Ottumwa boat transport services, it's essential to compare quotes from multiple providers. Shiply makes this process easy by connecting you with reputable boat movers in the area. By entering your boat's details & the desired pickup & drop-off locations, you can receive competitive quotes from top-rated boat transport companies in Ottumwa.
Choosing a reliable boat transport service in Ottumwa not only gives you peace of mind but also saves you time & money. With the help of Shiply, you can find the best boat movers in the area & ensure that your vessel is transported safely & efficiently to its new home.