Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Whether you're acquiring a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat shipping company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can locate & compare reliable boat transporters in just a few clicks, frequently with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. However, 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 watercraft needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your vessel can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also influence the cost.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also impact pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions and available routes.
How to Accurately Measure Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you must provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies 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 factors 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 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, so you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility.
Another 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.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Shipped
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one 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 if needed to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit, and also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup, in case anything occurs. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- 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 while it's being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, the hard part is over, but there are still 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.
Once the boat transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover, so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, and your mover can understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham, situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Framingham for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, recreational activities, or relocation. Framingham's proximity to several lakes and rivers, including Lake Cochituate and the Sudbury River, makes it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts.
When it comes to boat transport Framingham, it's essential to choose a reliable and experienced company that can handle the specific requirements of your boat. Whether you need to transport your boat to Framingham for a summer getaway or move it out of the city for winter storage, Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in the area. By comparing quotes from multiple Framingham boat transport companies, you can find the best deal and ensure your boat arrives at its destination safely and on time.