A Comprehensive Tutorial on Vessel Transportation
Whether you're acquiring a new watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another, discovering a trustworthy boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can uncover & compare dependable boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before you commence, it's essential to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This tutorial aims to assist you in accomplishing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Watercraft
Providing a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can impact the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your vessel needs to travel significantly affects the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it often involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options like Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your watercraft can also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also affect the routes available for road transport.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of transportation.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can influence pricing. Remote areas may incur extra costs for the additional miles required for pickup.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Watercraft
To receive an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit for transport.
Discovering Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate the 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 mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to discuss details like trailers and accessibility.
Using Shiply not only benefits the environment, as drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for additional loads, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
Readying Your Vessel for Shipment
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment and assess your boat's condition prior to pickup. Secure loose items like lifejackets, disconnect the battery, and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup. Disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: For sailboats, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This serves as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
Post-Delivery Steps
After 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 boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup. This helps you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then address with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly 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 Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, situated in northwest Louisiana, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Shreveport for various reasons, such as participating in boating events, enjoying the city's scenic waterways, or storing their vessels during the off-season.
When transporting a boat to or from Shreveport, it's essential to choose a reliable boat transport shreveport company that understands the unique challenges of navigating the area's roads and waterways. Shiply can help you find trusted shreveport boat transport providers who can ensure your vessel arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.
By following the tips outlined in this guide and utilizing Shiply's platform to find reputable boat movers, you can make your boat transport experience in Shreveport a smooth and stress-free process.