How to Convey a Watercraft
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can uncover & compare dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. Before you begin, it's crucial to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
Supplying a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the numerous variables that influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some essential factors that affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to traverse greatly impacts the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually 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, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for road transportation.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Gauging Your Boat Accurately
To receive a precise quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually provides these, it's recommended to double-check the measurements yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Gauged from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Gauged from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: The overall width of the boat, gauged 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 necessitate a special permit for transportation.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Considering all the variables involved, finding a boat transport company can seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply comes in. Simply enter your boat's make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more information 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 feedback for any boat mover 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 like trailers and accessibility.
Using Shiply not only benefits the environment, as drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipment
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- 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, removing personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess your boat's condition prior to pickup in case anything happens during transit. 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, 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 transportation.
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 will help you identify any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then address with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we 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 Waterville, Maine, US
Waterville, Maine, US, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to and from the area. Many people move their boats to Waterville for various reasons, such as seasonal storage, repairs, or to enjoy the beautiful waterways in the region.
When transporting a boat to or from Waterville, it's essential to choose a reliable boat transport company that understands the unique challenges of navigating the area's roads and waterways. With Shiply, you can easily find and compare trustworthy boat movers in Waterville, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.