How to Convey a Watercraft from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another. Discovering a dependable boat transport company in Grand Rapids, Michigan that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin searching for a boat transport company, you need to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport in Grand Rapids
It's challenging to provide a precise price for boat transport 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 anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Several factors can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly impact 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 your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also impact 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 of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for the additional miles required to pick it up.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter 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 of your vessel to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what you need to measure:
- 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 Grand Rapids
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, which can often seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat, as well as the pickup & drop-off locations, you can 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 you can trust 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 benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, which means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Preparing Your Boat for Transport
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 if needed to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, and also gives you a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pick up. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as 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 you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it's picked up. 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 pick up. 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 allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Why People Often Move Boats to and from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts due to its proximity to Lake Michigan and the Grand River. Many people choose to transport their boats to and from Grand Rapids for various reasons, such as participating in boating events, enjoying recreational activities on the water, or simply storing their vessels during the off-season. The city's central location within the state also makes it a convenient hub for boat transport companies serving the Midwest region.