How to Convey a Watercraft from Hagerstown, Maryland, US
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate it from one location to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can locate & compare dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
What Is the Cost to Transport a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat can also affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. Boat size can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: Ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur extra costs for the additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions and alter available transportation routes.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually provides 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.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. 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 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 & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring 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. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat 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 boat 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 any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If 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 come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do 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: Check that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate 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 mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Hagerstown, Maryland, US
Hagerstown, Maryland, US, is a popular destination for boat owners and enthusiasts. Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, Hagerstown offers easy access to several major waterways, including the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Many people choose to transport their boats to and from Hagerstown for various reasons, such as:
- Seasonal Storage: Hagerstown's inland location provides a safe and convenient place to store boats during the off-season, away from the harsh coastal weather conditions.
- Maintenance & Repairs: The area boasts several reputable boat maintenance and repair facilities, making it an ideal location for boat owners to transport their vessels for servicing.
- Boat Shows & Events: Hagerstown hosts several boat shows and events throughout the year, attracting boat enthusiasts from across the region who transport their boats to participate or attend.
- Buying & Selling: As a hub for boating activities, Hagerstown is a popular location for buying and selling boats, requiring boat transport services to and from the area.
Whether you're transporting your boat to or from Hagerstown, Maryland, US, or anywhere else, understanding the factors that affect boat transport costs and properly preparing your vessel for shipment can help ensure a smooth and successful move. By using Shiply to find and compare reliable boat transport companies, you can save time, money, & effort while ensuring your boat arrives at its destination safely and securely.