How to Convey a Watercraft from Columbia Falls, Montana
Moving a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate it. Discovering a dependable boat transport company in Columbia Falls that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can locate and compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. First, though, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
What Is the Cost to Transport a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price because numerous factors can influence the quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several elements can impact the cost of your boat transportation. Here are some crucial ones:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly affect the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then the most likely method will be by trailer on the road, which is usually less expensive than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another country, it can be more costly. There are a few options for international boat transport. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method and involves your boat staying on a trailer for the entire trip. If your boat is a standard size, you might want to consider using an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical way to transport a boat internationally. If you have a large boat that needs to be moved to another country, a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your boat 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 boat being loaded and unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the boat you want to move can also greatly influence the pricing. For example, 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 moving by road.
Trailer - The cost of your boat transportation can also be affected by whether you have your own boat trailer or if you need the boat movers to provide one.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing too, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles required to get it.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can change the routes available for transportation.
Why People Frequently Relocate Boats to and from Columbia Falls, Montana
Columbia Falls, situated in the center of the Flathead Valley in northwest Montana, is a sought-after destination for boating enthusiasts. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, including Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, Columbia Falls draws many individuals who want to enjoy recreational boating activities. The city's proximity to these natural wonders and its thriving community make it an appealing place for boat owners to relocate their vessels. Additionally, some people may need to transport their boats to or from Columbia Falls for repair, maintenance, or storage purposes, especially during the off-season. With its growing popularity as a boating destination, Columbia Falls has experienced an increased demand for reliable boat transport services to and from the area.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
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 give you these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 simply the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be about 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many factors 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 you. Once you have the make and 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 accurate these quotes will be. This gives you an excellent place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can remain confident 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 often drivers are making the journeys already and 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 Boat to be Shipped
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need some documents. Make sure you have these ready if you need them to avoid any last-minute problems.
Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this let you remove any personal belongings and 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 before pick up in case anything happens. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as life jackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel before pickup, as well as 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, you need to remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it's picked up, as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition if 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 operates as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken before 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 and 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 understand how their level of service was received.