A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport service that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable boat transporters with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, it's essential to identify precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing exactly that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the many factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can impact the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly affect the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is usually less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for transportation by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat transporters to supply one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain a precise quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide potential boat transporters with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very front of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the vessel 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. Vessels over this size may require a special permit to travel.
Locating Boat Transport Services with Shiply
Shiply can assist you in finding reliable boat transport services. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat transporter who quotes you, ensuring the company is reputable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. Another advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, meaning 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 selected a quote you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your vessel for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and get a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the vessel lighter 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 your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior state should any damages occur during transport.
After Delivery
Once 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: Ensure the vessel's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the boat still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport service.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat transporter. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your transporter to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Gladstone, Missouri
Gladstone, Missouri, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. Many people move their boats to Gladstone for various reasons, such as accessing nearby lakes and rivers or storing their vessels during the off-season. Gladstone boat transport services are experienced in handling various types of boats, from small fishing vessels to large yachts, ensuring safe and efficient transportation.
When searching for "boat transport gladstone" or "gladstone boat transport," it's crucial to choose a reputable service with experience in the area. Local boat transporters are familiar with the best routes and can navigate any challenges specific to the region, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely and on time.