Methods for Conveying a Watercraft
Regardless of whether you're purchasing a watercraft, offloading a used one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Expense of Transporting a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the cost of your boat transportation include:
Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will greatly impact the price. If the vessel only needs to be moved within the US, then inland transportation on a trailer is typically more affordable than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, there are a few options. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) is the most common method of international boat transport & involves your vessel staying on a trailer for the entire trip. If your watercraft is a standard size, you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical international boat transport method. If it's a big boat that needs to be moved internationally, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your watercraft 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 vessel being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels 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 you need 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 & delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with accessibility playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur extra costs for the additional miles required to pick it up.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Watercraft
In order for you to get a precise 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, 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 just the overall width of the watercraft, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high & 7'8" wide. Vessels over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things that need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem daunting given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can aid you. Once you have the make & measurements of your watercraft & 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 accurate these quotes will be. This gives you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, meaning 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 & accessibility. Another added bonus 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% cheaper than standard rates.
Preparing for Your Watercraft to be Shipped
Once you have looked at all of your quotes & chosen one you are 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. 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 is transported. Not only will this mean you can 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, & the majority of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & put a stop to any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you are 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 is picked up as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it is being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft 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.
Watercraft Transport in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau, situated in southeast Missouri along the Mississippi River, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to & from Cape Girardeau for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, repairs, or relocation. The city's proximity to the river & its numerous marinas make it an ideal location for boat owners. Additionally, Cape Girardeau's central location within the United States makes it a convenient stopover point for those transporting their boats across the country. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, Cape Girardeau offers a range of boat transport services to meet your needs.