How to Convey a Watercraft
Whether you're purchasing a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one location to another, discovering a reliable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & compare dependable boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in accomplishing that.
What is the Cost to Transport a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to all the factors that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As previously mentioned, several elements can alter the cost of your boat transportation. We've listed some crucial ones below:
Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to travel will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported within the US, then the most probable method will be by trailer on the road, which is typically less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to be shipped to another country, it can be more costly. There are a few options here. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method for transporting boats internationally & involves your vessel remaining on a trailer for the entire journey. If your boat is a standard size, you might consider using an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical way to transport boats internationally. If it's a large boat that you need to move to another country, a flat rack can often be attached to a vessel which your boat can be secured into while in its own personal cradle.
Finally, there's always the option of submersion when considering international boat delivery options, which simply involves your vessel being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be moved internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also alter which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one, this can also change the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up & delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a role. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur additional costs for the extra miles needed to retrieve it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can alter pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
In order for you to obtain an accurate quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of it to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually supply these, we recommend verifying yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a quick overview:
Overall Length - This is measured from the very tip of the bow to the center 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 simply the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding 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, & often it can seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help you. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat & the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site & boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more precise these quotes will be. This gives you an excellent platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can remain confident knowing the company is trustworthy. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers & accessibility.
Another added advantage of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the journeys & are looking for additional loads, meaning not only is using Shiply beneficial for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% less expensive than standard rates.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Transported
Once you've reviewed all your quotes & selected one you're satisfied 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 need some documents. Make sure you have these readily available if you need them to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
Cleaning - It's an excellent idea to meticulously clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this allow you to remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, but it also means you can get a good understanding 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 remain on the boat like lifejackets & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel before pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you're transporting, then you need to remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photos before it's picked up as 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 moved 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 & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the outside condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before pick up. This will help you spot any damages which have occurred during transit & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & 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 Livonia, Michigan
Livonia, Michigan is a city situated in the northwest part of Wayne County. Many people frequently move their watercraft to & from Livonia for various reasons. Some may be relocating to the area & need to bring their boat with them, while others may be selling their boat to someone in Livonia. Whatever the reason, Shiply can help connect you with reliable boat transport companies in Livonia to ensure your vessel arrives safely at its destination. With a range of Livonia boat transport options available, you can find the perfect solution for your needs & budget.
