How to Convey a Watercraft
Discovering a Trustworthy Boat Shipping Company
Whether you're buying a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one spot to another, finding a reliable boat shipping company that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare dependable boat transporters with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, you must determine exactly what service you need. This guide aims to help you in doing precisely that.
Elements Influencing the Price of Boat Shipping
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the various factors that can affect quotes. On average, short-distance shipping can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can influence the price of your boat transportation include:
- Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will significantly impact the cost. Domestic shipping within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be shipped internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat transporters to provide one can also influence the price of your boat shipping.
- Locations of Pickup and Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year - Seasonality can also influence pricing, as ice, wind, & snow can alter the available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To obtain an accurate estimate for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat transporters with its dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what to measure:
- 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 watercraft to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam - The overall width of the boat, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' watercraft is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Shipping Companies
Shiply can help you navigate the many considerations involved in finding a boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your watercraft and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom estimates directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more precise these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & comments for any boat transporter 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 and accessibility. An added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% less expensive than standard rates.
Readying Your Watercraft 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:
- Documents - If your watercraft is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late issues.
- Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and to assess its condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the watercraft lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails - If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence - Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup as evidence of its prior state should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs - Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior state of the watercraft upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to spot any damages that occurred during transit and raise them with the boat shipping company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat transporter so future Shiply users can browse services with confidence and help your transporter understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Shipping in Brewer, Maine, US
Brewer, Maine, US is a popular location for boat shipping due to its proximity to the Penobscot River and the Atlantic Ocean. Many people move their watercraft to and from Brewer for various reasons, such as seasonal storage, repairs, or to participate in boating events. The city's convenient location and access to water make it an ideal spot for boat owners to transport their vessels.
When searching for boat shipping in Brewer, it's crucial to find a reliable company that can handle the specific needs of your watercraft. Factors to consider include the size and type of your boat, the distance it needs to travel, and any special requirements for loading and unloading. By using a service like Shiply, you can easily compare estimates from multiple boat shipping companies in Brewer and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Whether you're moving your watercraft to Brewer for storage, repairs, or to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Penobscot River and beyond, working with a trusted boat shipping company can make the process stress-free and efficient. With careful planning and the right transportation partner, you can ensure your boat arrives safely and ready for your next adventure on the water.