How to Convey a Vessel from Lake Charles, Louisiana
Conveying a vessel can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new boat, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult, but with Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks. Frequently, you can discover quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. However, before you begin searching for a boat transport company, you need to ascertain exactly what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that, especially if you're seeking boat transport in Lake Charles, Louisiana, US.
Why People Frequently Relocate Boats to and from Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a favored destination for boating aficionados. The city is situated on the shores of Lake Charles, which is linked to the Gulf of Mexico via the Calcasieu River. Many individuals relocate their boats to Lake Charles to relish the stunning waterways and exceptional fishing opportunities. Others may need to transport their boats from Lake Charles to other locations for repairs, storage, or to vend them.
How Much Does It Cost to Convey a Boat?
It's arduous to provide a precise price for boat transportation due to the numerous variables that can affect quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 and $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some factors that can impact the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly affect the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically cheaper than international travel.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat can also significantly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require special permits and routes.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
How to Properly Gauge Your Boat
To get an accurate quote for boat transportation, you'll need to provide the dimensions of your vessel to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transportation.
How Shiply Can Help Find Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding reliable boat transport companies. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations for your boat, simply enter this information on the Shiply website. Boat moving companies will then send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate the quotes will be.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and comments for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you choose a reliable company. You can also message any boat mover who quotes you within the platform to discuss details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply can be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates and is also more environmentally friendly.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a boat mover you're happy with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents ready to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel prior to pickup. Disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
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: 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. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is completed, we 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.
In conclusion, transporting a boat to or from Lake Charles, Louisiana, US, can be a complex process, but with proper planning and the help of a reliable boat transport company, it can be done smoothly and efficiently. By using Shiply to find and compare boat movers, you can ensure that your boat arrives at its destination safely and at a competitive price.