A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat
Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before you start, you need to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to offer a precise price due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, options include 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.
Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide the 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 Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help you. 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 & review system allows you to view ratings and 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 & looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've reviewed all your quotes & 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 last-minute issues.
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 gives you a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pickup, should anything occur. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as life jackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks during transit.
Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve 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 & 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 pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we 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 & help your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan, US, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to & from the area. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Muskegon offers a variety of boating opportunities, from fishing & water sports to cruising & sightseeing. Many people choose to move their boats to Muskegon for the summer season & then transport them back home for the winter months.
When searching for boat transport in Muskegon, it's essential to find a reliable & experienced company that can handle the specific needs of your vessel. Shiply can help connect you with trusted boat transport muskegon providers who can safely & efficiently move your boat to or from the area. By comparing quotes & reading reviews from previous customers, you can find the best muskegon boat transport option for your needs & budget.