Navigating the Complexities of Vessel Transportation
Regardless of whether you're acquiring a watercraft, offloading a used one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat transport service that fulfills all your requirements can be a daunting task. On Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with rates up to 75% more affordable than industry norms. However, before proceeding, you must determine precisely what services you necessitate. This comprehensive guide will assist you in accomplishing that objective.
Factors Influencing the Expense of Boat Transportation
Providing an exact cost is challenging 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 expense of your boat transportation include:
Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. If the vessel only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is the most probable method, which is typically more economical than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are several options. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) is the most common method of international boat transport & involves your vessel 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, which can often be a more cost-effective international boat transport method. For large boats that need to be transported 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 vessel being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels 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 you require the boat movers to provide one can also influence 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 required to retrieve it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can impact pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft
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 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 simply 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, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Leveraging Shiply to Locate Boat Transport Services
Numerous factors 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 & 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% more affordable than standard rates.
Readying Your Vessel for Shipment
Once you've reviewed all of your quotes & chosen 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 Procedures
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 Richfield, Minnesota
Richfield, Minnesota, US is a popular location for boat transport. Many people often move their vessels to & from Richfield for various reasons, such as purchasing a new boat, selling an old one, or simply relocating their watercraft. Richfield's proximity to several lakes & rivers makes it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts.
If you're looking for reliable boat transport in Richfield, Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers at competitive rates. Simply enter your boat's details & the pickup & drop-off locations on our platform, & boat transport companies in Richfield will send you custom quotes. You can then compare the quotes & choose the one that best suits your needs & budget.
Using Shiply for boat transport in Richfield not only saves you time & money but also ensures that your boat is in safe hands during the transportation process. Our feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover in Richfield who quotes you, giving you peace of mind that your boat will be transported safely & efficiently.
In conclusion, whether you're acquiring a watercraft, offloading a used one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one place to another, Shiply can assist you in finding reliable boat transport services in Richfield, Minnesota, & beyond. By providing accurate information about your boat & the pickup & drop-off locations, you can receive custom quotes from trustworthy boat movers & choose the one that best meets your requirements. With Shiply, transporting your boat has never been more straightforward or cost-effective.
