A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reliable boat haulers with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you begin, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
1. Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the cost. Domestic transportation 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.
2. Boat Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot. The size of the boat can also affect the routes available for transportation by road.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat haulers to provide one can also impact the cost of your boat transportation.
4. Pickup & Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can influence pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To get a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat haulers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
1. Overall Length - Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
2. Overall Height - Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
3. Beam - The overall width of the boat, measured 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 for transportation.
How Shiply Can Assist You in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat, along with the pickup and drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site. Boat hauling companies will then send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information 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 comments for any boat hauler 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 & accessibility.
Another advantage 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% less expensive 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:
1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require certain paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings & 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 happens during transport. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, & disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence - Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
After Delivery: What to Do
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:
1. Check Vital Signs - Ensure the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat hauler. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence & allows your hauler to understand how their level of service was received.
Waterloo, Iowa: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Waterloo, situated in the state of Iowa, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often move their boats to & from Waterloo for various reasons, such as recreational activities on the nearby lakes & rivers or for storage during the off-season. The city's central location & easy access to major highways make it a convenient spot for boat transport. When searching for "boat transport Waterloo" or "Waterloo boat transport," keep in mind the factors mentioned above to ensure a smooth & successful move.
[]