How to Convey a Watercraft
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can effortlessly find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. Before you begin, it's crucial to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
Supplying an exact price for boat transport can be challenging due to the numerous variables that influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some essential factors that affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel significantly impacts the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more expensive, with options like Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat also greatly affects pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for road transport.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles.
- Time of Year: Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.
Gauging Your Boat Accurately
To receive an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with the correct dimensions of your vessel. Although the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very end of the bow to the center 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transport.
How Shiply Assists in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transport company by allowing you to enter your boat's make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations on our site. Boat moving companies will then send customized quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system enables you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the reliability of the company. You can also communicate with anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility.
Using Shiply not only benefits the environment, as drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipment
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup. Secure any loose items that will remain on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will lighten the boat for transport and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
Post-Delivery Steps
After your boat has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs: Verify that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, allowing you to raise the issue with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and enables your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Laurel, Mississippi, US
Laurel, Mississippi, US, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. The city's proximity to the Gulf Coast and its numerous waterways make it an ideal spot for boating enthusiasts. Many people move their boats to Laurel for storage during the off-season or to have them serviced by local marine professionals.
Transporting a boat to or from Laurel can be a complex process, but with the help of experienced boat movers, it can be done safely and efficiently. Whether you're moving your boat for personal reasons or as part of a sale, it's essential to choose a reliable transport company that understands the unique challenges of hauling boats in the Laurel area.
By following the guidelines outlined in this article and utilizing the services of Shiply, you can ensure that your boat transport to or from Laurel, Mississippi, US, goes smoothly and without any unexpected issues.