A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat transporters with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, it's essential to 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 offer an exact 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:
- Distance: The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly impact the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is usually cheaper than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly affect 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 impact the routes available for transportation by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat transporters to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain a precise quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide potential boat transporters 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:
- 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 vessel, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat 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.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply can assist you in finding reliable boat transport companies. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel, along with the pickup & drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site. Boat moving 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 great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat transporter who quotes you, ensuring you choose a reliable company. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads. This means not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Preparing Your Vessel 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 boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and get a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- 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 transport.
After Delivery: What to Do
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: Ensure 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 prior to pickup. This will help you spot 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 and a rating for your chosen boat transporter. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your transporter to understand how their level of service was received.
Transporting Boats to and from Hallowell, Maine
Hallowell, Maine, US is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Hallowell for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, recreational activities, or relocation. Hallowell's proximity to the Kennebec River and its picturesque coastal setting make it an attractive location for boating enthusiasts.
When transporting a boat to or from Hallowell, it's essential to choose a reliable boat transport hallowell service. Hallowell boat transport companies are experienced in navigating the unique challenges of the area, ensuring your vessel arrives safely and on time. By using a trusted boat transport provider, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your boat is in capable hands during its journey to or from Hallowell, Maine.