How to Convey a Watercraft from Columbia, Missouri
Conveying a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing one, vending an old vessel, or simply need to relocate it from one location to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can locate & compare dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin, you need to determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. 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 impact the expense of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly affect the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, there are a few options:
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO): The most common method, where your boat remains on a trailer for the entire trip.
- Enclosed container: If your boat is a standard size, you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a less expensive option.
- Flat rack: For large boats, a flat rack can be secured onto a vessel, and your boat can be strapped into its own personal cradle.
- Submersion: Your boat is loaded and unloaded from the water.
- Boat Size: Standard-sized boats can be transported 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 transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur extra costs for the additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Gauging Your Boat Properly
To get an accurate quote for how much it will cost to transport your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. 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 over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many things 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. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can simply 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 a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so 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 and accessibility.
Another added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys 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% less expensive than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one 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 you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. This allows you to remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit. It also means you can get a good idea of the condition of your boat prior to pick up, should anything occur. Make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- 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 that may occur in 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 it's picked up. 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: Check that the boat's engines still run and 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 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. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence and helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, is a popular location for boat owners, with many people relocating their vessels to and from the city. Whether you're moving to Columbia or just need to transport your boat for repairs or storage, there are several reliable boat transport companies in the area that can assist you.
When searching for boat transport in Columbia, it's important to consider factors such as the size of your boat, the distance it needs to travel, and any special requirements you may have. By using a service like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple boat movers in the area and find the best option for your needs and budget.
Whether you're moving a small fishing boat or a large yacht, the experienced boat transport companies in Columbia, Missouri, can ensure that your vessel arrives at its destination safely and on time. With the help of Shiply, you can find the perfect boat mover for your needs and enjoy a stress-free transport experience.