A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Boat
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 company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable boat movers with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, it's essential to identify precisely what service you need. This guide aims to help you do just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
Offering a precise cost for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various factors that can affect 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 influence the expense of your boat transportation, including:
1. Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact 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.
2. Boat Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly affect 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.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to supply one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
4. 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.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers 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:
1. Overall Length - Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
2. Overall Height - Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
3. 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 this size may require a special permit for transportation.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup and drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Using Shiply not only benefits the environment by connecting with drivers already making the journey, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
3. 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 potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. 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:
1. Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then raise 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 allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Bigfork, Montana: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Bigfork, Montana, US, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. Situated on the shores of Flathead Lake, Bigfork offers stunning natural beauty and a variety of water activities, making it an attractive destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their boats to Bigfork for the summer season to enjoy the clear waters and breathtaking scenery, while others may transport their boats from Bigfork to other locations for storage or maintenance during the off-season. Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help connect boat owners with reliable boat transport companies to ensure a smooth and efficient move to or from Bigfork, Montana.
In conclusion, transporting a boat can be a complex process, but with the right preparation and a reliable boat transport company, it can be a seamless experience. By using Shiply to find and compare boat movers, you can ensure that your vessel is in good hands and arrives at its destination safely and efficiently, whether you're moving your boat to or from Bigfork, Montana, or any other location.