A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
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 dependable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reliable boat transporters with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you begin, it's essential to determine precisely what service you need. This guide aims to assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
Offering a precise price for boat transport can be challenging due to the various factors that can affect quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul trips can range from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can influence the expense of your boat transportation, including:
1. Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
2. Boat Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly 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.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat transporters to supply one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
4. Pickup & Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also impact pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Boat
To receive an accurate quote for boat transport, you need to provide the dimensions of your vessel to potential boat transporters. While the manufacturer usually supplies these measurements, we recommend double-checking them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
1. Overall Length - Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
2. Overall Height - Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
3. 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 this size may require a special permit for transportation.
Locating Boat Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding reliable boat transport companies. 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, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat transporter who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the reliability of the company. You can also communicate with anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for additional loads. This means using Shiply is not only eco-friendly but can also be up to 75% less expensive 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. Here are some steps you should take:
1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need certain documents. Ensure you have these readily available to avoid any last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to risk losing during transit. It also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup, in case anything happens during transport. Secure any loose items that will remain on the boat, such as life jackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend documenting 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.
After Delivery: What to Do
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:
1. Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
2. 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.
After the boat transport is complete, we kindly ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat transporter. This helps future Shiply users browse services with the same level of confidence and allows your transporter to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Norfolk, Nebraska, US
Norfolk, Nebraska, US, is a popular destination for boat transport. Many people move their boats to and from Norfolk for various reasons, such as recreational activities on the nearby lakes and rivers or for storage during the off-season. Norfolk's central location in the US makes it a convenient hub for boat transport, with easy access to major highways and interstates.
When searching for boat transport in Norfolk, consider using keywords like "boat transport norfolk" or "norfolk boat transport" to find local companies specializing in this service. By working with a reputable boat transport provider in Norfolk, you can ensure your vessel arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.