Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Irrespective of whether you're purchasing a vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply require relocating your boat from one place to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your needs can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate and evaluate trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates, but first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will strive to assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
It is 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, with longer haul journeys costing anything from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, there are several factors that can affect how much your boat transportation will cost. We have listed some crucial factors below:
Distance - The distance that your boat needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported domestically (within the US), then 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, then this can be more costly. There are a few options here. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most frequently used method of international boat transport and involves your boat staying on a trailer for the duration of the trip. If your boat is a standard size, then you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a cheaper international boat transport method. If it is a big boat that you need to transport internationally, then a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped into whilst in its own personal cradle.
Finally, there is always the option of submersion when looking at international boat delivery options, which simply involves your boat being loaded and unloaded from the water. Boat Size - The size of the boat that you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, whereas larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road. Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your boat transportation. Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur extra costs for the extra miles required to pick it up. Time Of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Gauge Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting 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. As a brief overview: Overall Length - This is measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern. Overall Height - This is measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel. Beam - The beam is just the overall width of the boat, so measure 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.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things that need to be considered when looking for a boat transport company, and often it can 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 and 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. This gives you a great place to compare your options. Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, meaning you can stay safe in the knowledge 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 often drivers are making the journeys already and are 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.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Shipped
Once you have looked at all of your quotes and chosen one you are happy with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are: Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any late mishaps. Cleaning - It is a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it is transported. Not only will this mean you can remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, but it also means you can get a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pick up should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and to disconnect the battery and tidy the cables. Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and the majority of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and put a stop to any potential leaks that may occur in transit. Remove Sails - If it is a sailboat you are transporting, then you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast. Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it is picked up, as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur whilst it is being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, the hard part is over, but this doesn't mean there aren't a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order. Check Vital Signs - Check that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pick up. This will help you spot any damages which have occurred during transit, and you can then raise this with the boat transport company. Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, as well as helping your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland, US is a popular location for boat transport services. Many people often move their boats to and from Bethesda for various reasons, such as buying a new boat, selling an old one, or simply relocating their vessel. Bethesda boat transport companies offer reliable and efficient services to ensure that your boat is transported safely and securely. Whether you need to transport your boat within the US or internationally, Bethesda boat transport providers can help you get your boat where it needs to go.