A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting Your 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 a daunting task. With Shiply, you can easily find and compare trustworthy boat transporters 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 accomplish that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
Offering a precise cost for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various 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 affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel significantly impacts the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is generally less expensive than international shipping. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also considerably 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 road transportation.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can influence the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing. Remote areas may incur additional costs for the extra miles required for pickup.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also impact pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide the dimensions of your vessel to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually supplies these measurements, it's advisable to verify them yourself to avoid any problems on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of the key measurements:
- 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transportation.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a dependable boat transport company. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations of your boat, 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 precise the quotes will be.
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 communicate with anyone who quotes you within our platform to discuss 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 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 all necessary documents ready to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings, expensive electronic equipment, and assess its condition prior to pickup. Secure loose items and disconnect the battery.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup. Disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: For sailboats, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.
Post-Delivery Checklist
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 and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then address 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.
Boat Transport in Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, Montana, US, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Bozeman for various reasons, such as recreational activities on nearby lakes and rivers or for storage during the off-season. The city's proximity to stunning natural landscapes and water bodies makes it an attractive location for boating enthusiasts.
When transporting a boat to or from Bozeman, it's crucial to select a dependable boat transport company that can navigate the unique challenges of the area, such as mountainous terrain and variable weather conditions. By using Shiply, you can easily find and compare trustworthy boat movers in Bozeman, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.