How to Convey a Vessel from Annapolis, Maryland
Conveying a vessel can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new boat, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your watercraft from one location to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult, particularly in Annapolis, Maryland. However, with Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin, you need to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport in Annapolis
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes, but on average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Several factors can impact the expense of your boat transportation in Annapolis, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly affect the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, the most likely method will be through inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to travel internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for the additional miles required to pick it up.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, with ice, wind, and snow all affecting road conditions and altering the routes available for transportation.
Measuring Your Boat for Transport
To get an accurate quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps 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 boat, 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.
Using Shiply to Find Boat Transport Companies in Annapolis
There are many things to consider when looking for a boat transport company, and it can often seem daunting given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can help you. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will 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 mover who quotes you, ensuring that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. Another 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% cheaper than standard rates.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts due to its prime location on the Chesapeake Bay. The city is home to numerous marinas, yacht clubs, and boating events, making it an ideal place to keep a boat. Many people choose to transport their boats to Annapolis for storage during the off-season or to participate in local boating activities. Additionally, Annapolis is a historic city with a rich maritime heritage, attracting boat owners from across the country who wish to experience its unique charm and culture.
Preparing Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're happy 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 boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and get a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pick up.
- 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 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. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
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: Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still 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 spot any damages that 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. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.