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 service that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can uncover & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you commence, you must ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport minnetonka and minnetonka boat transport.
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 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere 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 greatly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you must provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. 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 exceeding 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, which can often seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply can aid you. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and 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 precise these quotes will be, giving you an excellent 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 dependable. 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, 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 Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote 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 late mishaps.
- 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 get a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- 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 transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. 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 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: Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. 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 completed, 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 and help your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Minnetonka, Minnesota: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Minnetonka, situated in Minnesota, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often move their boats to and from Minnetonka for various reasons, such as enjoying the beautiful lakes in the area or participating in boating events & competitions.
Minnetonka is renowned for its numerous lakes, including Lake Minnetonka, which is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and other water activities. The city also hosts several boating events throughout the year, attracting boat enthusiasts from all over the country.
If you're planning to move your boat to or from Minnetonka, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport company that can handle the specific requirements of the area. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in Minnetonka, ensuring your boat arrives at its destination safely & efficiently.