How to Convey a Watercraft from Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Conveying a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another. Discovering a dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult, particularly if you're transferring your boat to or from Cottage Grove, Minnesota. However, with Shiply, you can locate & compare reliable boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin searching for a boat transport company, you need to determine precisely what service you necessitate.
The Expense of Boat Transport
It's challenging to provide a precise price for boat transport because there are numerous variables that can influence the quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some of the factors that can affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- 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, then inland transportation on a trailer is the most probable method, which is usually less expensive 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 the boat you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. 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: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also impact the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs for the extra miles required to pick it up.
- Time of Year: Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Measuring Your Watercraft
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 provide you with these, it's recommended to double-check yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of how to measure your boat:
- Overall Length: This is measured from the very end of the bow to the middle 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 just the overall width of the boat, so measure 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.
Utilizing Shiply to Find Boat Transport Companies
There are many things to consider when looking for a boat transport company, and it can often seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can assist you. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup and 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 & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe in the knowledge 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 added bonus of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the journeys and are 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.
Readying Your Boat for Transport
Once you've looked at all of your quotes and chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the 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 you need them to avoid any late 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 and 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, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and the majority of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
- Remove Sails: If it's a sailboat you're transporting, you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: It's highly recommended 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.
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 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, and you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback and 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.
Cottage Grove, Minnesota: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Cottage Grove, Minnesota is a favored destination for boat transport, with many people moving their boats to and from the area. Located just south of St. Paul, Cottage Grove is known for its stunning parks, trails, and access to the Mississippi River. Many people choose to transport their boats to Cottage Grove to enjoy the picturesque waterways and recreational opportunities in the area.
Whether you're moving to Cottage Grove and need to transport your boat, or you're selling your boat to someone in the area, Shiply can help you find reliable and affordable boat transport services. With our easy-to-use platform and network of trusted boat movers, you can rest assured that your boat will arrive at its destination safely and on time.