How to Convey a Watercraft from Miles City, Montana
Conveying a watercraft can be challenging, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate it from one location to another. Discovering a dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult, but on Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks. You can frequently find quotes up to 75% less than standard rates! But first, 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 cost between $150 to $300, and longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Here are some crucial factors that can affect how much your boat transportation will cost:
- Distance - The distance your boat needs to be relocated will greatly impact the price. If the boat only needs to be transported 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 internationally, there are a few options. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method of international boat transport. Your boat remains 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 placed 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 transported internationally, 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. This simply involves your boat being loaded & unloaded from the water.
- Boat Size - The size of the boat you want to transport can also greatly affect 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 transporting 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 ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles required to pick it up.
- Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can change the routes available for transportation.
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. The manufacturer will usually provide you with these, but we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps 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 just the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 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 things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & 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 & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site. 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 a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, so you can stay safe in the knowledge 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 already making the journeys and are looking for extra loads. This means 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 & 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 require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. Not only will this allow you to remove any personal belongings & 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 prior to pick up should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
- Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you're transporting, you need to remove all winches & 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. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should 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 & 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 prior to pick up. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence, & also helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Why People Often Move Boats to & from Miles City, Montana
Miles City, Montana is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Located on the Yellowstone River, Miles City offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, water skiing, & other water activities. Many people choose to transport their boats to Miles City for vacations or extended stays.
On the other hand, some people may need to move their boats from Miles City to other locations. This could be due to a change in residence, a sale of the boat, or simply a desire to explore new boating destinations. Whatever the reason, reliable boat transport services are essential for safely moving boats to & from Miles City.
With Shiply, finding trustworthy boat movers in Miles City is easy. Whether you're bringing your boat to enjoy the waters of the Yellowstone River or need to transport your boat elsewhere, Shiply can connect you with reliable boat transport companies to get the job done.
