How to Convey a Watercraft
Discovering a Trustworthy Watercraft Transportation Service
Whether you're buying a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one spot to another, finding a reliable watercraft transportation service that meets all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can uncover & contrast dependable watercraft movers with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide aims to help you in doing just that.
Elements Influencing the Price of Watercraft Transportation
It's difficult to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can affect quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can influence the price of your watercraft transportation include:
- Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Watercraft Size - The size of the watercraft you want to transport can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized watercraft can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger watercraft cannot.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own watercraft trailer or need the watercraft movers to provide one can also influence the cost of your watercraft transportation.
- Locations of Pickup and Delivery - The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year - Seasonality can also influence pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft
To get a precise quote for the cost of transporting your watercraft, you need to provide potential watercraft movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a brief overview:
- 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 watercraft to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam - The overall width of the watercraft, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' watercraft is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Watercraft over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Watercraft Transportation Services
There are many things to consider when searching for a watercraft transportation service, and it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can assist you. Once you have the make and measurements of your watercraft and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and watercraft moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any watercraft mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust 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 drivers are often already making the journeys and 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.
Readying Your Watercraft for Shipping
Once you've looked at all your quotes and chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your watercraft for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents - If your watercraft is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your watercraft before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit and get a good idea of your watercraft's condition prior to pickup.
- Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the watercraft lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence - Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. 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 watercraft 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 watercraft's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition - Compare the watercraft's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you spot any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the watercraft transportation service.
Once the watercraft transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen watercraft mover so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence and help your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Watercraft Transportation in Polson, Montana
Polson, Montana, US, is a popular destination for watercraft owners due to its stunning location on the shores of Flathead Lake. Many people choose to move their watercraft to and from Polson for various reasons, such as seasonal storage, repairs, or to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. When looking for watercraft transportation in Polson, it's essential to find a reliable company that can handle the unique challenges of the area, such as narrow roads and steep inclines. By using Shiply, you can easily find and compare quotes from trusted watercraft transportation services in Polson, ensuring your vessel arrives safely and securely at its destination.