Navigating the Complexities of Boat Transportation
Regardless of whether you're purchasing a watercraft, offloading a pre-owned vessel, or simply need to relocate your boat from one locale to another, discovering a dependable boat transport firm that satisfies all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can uncover & evaluate trustworthy boat haulers in just a handful of clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% less than typical rates. However, first, you must ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Boat Transportation
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can impact quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere 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 significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then the most probable method will be via inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are several options. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method of international boat transport & involves your boat remaining on a trailer for the entire trip. If your boat is a standard size, you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical international boat transport method. If it's a sizable boat that you need to move internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat can be strapped 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 boat being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect 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 impact the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and 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 required to retrieve it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat for Transport
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a brief 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.
Simplifying the Search for Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
There are numerous factors that need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can assist you. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and 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 information 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 that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers & accessibility. Another added benefit of using Shiply is that often drivers are making the journeys already & are looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% less expensive than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipment
Once you've reviewed all of 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 require some documents. Ensure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly 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 idea 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 stay on the boat such as lifejackets & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to 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 photographs 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.
Post-Delivery Checklist
Once your boat has been transported 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 exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to 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 Blaine, Minnesota
Blaine, Minnesota, US is a popular destination for boat transport. Many people often move their vessels to & from Blaine for various reasons. Blaine is located near several lakes & rivers, making it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts. Whether you're relocating to Blaine & need to transport your boat or you're selling your boat to someone in Blaine, there are many boat transport companies that can help you get your vessel to its destination safely & efficiently.
When searching for boat transport in Blaine, it's crucial to choose a company that has experience in the area & knows the best routes to take. Shiply can help you find reliable boat transport companies in Blaine that can provide you with competitive quotes & excellent service. By using Shiply, you can compare quotes from multiple boat movers & choose the one that best fits your needs & budget.
In conclusion, transporting a boat can be a complex process, but with the right preparation & the assistance of a reliable boat transport company, it can be done safely & efficiently. Whether you're moving your boat to or from Blaine, Minnesota or anywhere else in the US, Shiply can help you find the best boat transport company for your needs.