How to Convey a Watercraft from Horn Lake, Mississippi
Moving 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 in Horn Lake that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. First, though, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Cost to Transport a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price because numerous factors can influence the quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several elements can alter the cost of your boat transportation. Here are some crucial ones:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, it will likely be transported by trailer on the road, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another country, it can be more costly. There are a few options for international boat transport. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method and involves your boat staying on a trailer for the entire trip. If your boat is a standard size, you might want to consider using an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical way to transport a boat internationally. If you have a large boat that needs to be moved to another country, 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 looking at 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 move can also greatly affect the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be shipped 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 moving by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one, this can also impact the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup and Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing too, with ease of access playing a role. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles required to get it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for how much it will cost to move your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of it to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually give you these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and 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 right to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more precise these quotes will be. This gives you an excellent place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to see ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe knowing that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility.
Another advantage of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the trips and are looking for extra loads. This means not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than normal rates.
Why People Frequently Move Boats To and From Horn Lake, Mississippi
Horn Lake, situated in DeSoto County, Mississippi, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Located near the Mississippi River and close to several lakes, including Arkabutla Lake and Sardis Lake, Horn Lake provides ample opportunities for water recreation. Many individuals choose to transport their boats to Horn Lake to enjoy fishing, water skiing, and leisurely cruises on these picturesque waterways. Additionally, the city's proximity to Memphis, Tennessee, makes it a convenient location for boat owners in the region. Whether for personal use or participation in local boating events, transporting boats to and from Horn Lake is a common occurrence, contributing to the area's thriving boating community.
Preparing for Your Boat to be Transported
Once you've reviewed all your quotes and chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to get your boat ready for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need some documents. Make sure you have these ready if you need them to avoid any last-minute issues.
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 before pick up in case anything happens. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, like life jackets, and disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel before 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 you're transporting a sailboat, you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photos before it's picked up. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition if 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 and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still works as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before 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 is complete, 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, and to help your mover understand how their service was received.