How to Convey a Watercraft
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can effortlessly find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. Before you begin, it's crucial to ascertain exactly what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
Supplying a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the numerous variables that influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some essential factors that affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to traverse greatly impacts the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options like Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for road transportation.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.
Gauging Your Boat Accurately
To receive a precise quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of the measurements you'll need:
- Overall Length: Gauged from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Gauged from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: The overall width of the boat, gauged 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.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a 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 custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate the 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 reliability of the company. 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, which is not only good for the environment but can also result in prices up to 75% lower than 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. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport, removing personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup to serve as evidence of its prior condition in case of any damages during transportation.
Great Falls, Montana, US: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Great Falls, situated in Montana, US, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to and from the area. The city's proximity to the Missouri River and numerous lakes makes it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their boats to Great Falls for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, and leisurely cruises.
Additionally, Great Falls serves as a hub for boat transport companies, offering convenient access to major highways and interstate routes. This makes it easier for boat movers to transport vessels to and from the city, whether for local residents or those traveling from other parts of the country.
After Delivery: Ensuring Everything is in Order
Once your boat has reached 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 to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If you notice any issues, raise them with the boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we encourage you to leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover on Shiply. This helps future users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.