Techniques for Conveying a Watercraft
Irrespective of whether you're purchasing a vessel, offloading an aged one, or simply require transporting your boat from one location to another, discovering a dependable watercraft transport firm that fulfills all your stipulations can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate and evaluate trustworthy boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with estimates up to 75% less than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will strive to assist you in accomplishing just that.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several factors can impact the cost of your boat transportation. We have enumerated some crucial aspects below:
Distance - The span your boat needs to be transported will significantly affect the price. If the boat only requires domestic transportation (within the US), then the most probable method will be via inland transportation on a trailer, which is typically more affordable than international travel. If the boat needs to voyage internationally, then this can be more expensive.
There are a few choices here. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most commonly used method of international boat transport and involves your boat remaining on a trailer for the entirety of the trip. If your boat is a standard size, then you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be placed on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a more economical international boat transport method.
If it's a sizable boat that you need to transport internationally, then 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 is always the option of submersion when considering 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 transport can also greatly influence the pricing. For instance, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, whereas larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you require the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a role. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur additional costs for the extra miles required to retrieve it.
Time Of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
How To Accurately Measure Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually provide you with these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a brief 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 roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
Many factors need to be considered when searching for a boat transport company, and often it can seem overwhelming given all of 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 platform to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring 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 benefit of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the journeys 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 have reviewed all of your quotes and chosen one you are satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
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 is transported. Not only will this allow you to 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 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 to disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, and the majority of your fuel prior to 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 it's a sailboat you are transporting, then 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 is picked up as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it is being transported.
What To Do After Delivery
Once your boat has been transported to its destination, the hard part is over, but this doesn't mean there aren't 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 operate 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 which have occurred during transit, and you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, 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 to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in South Sioux City, Nebraska, US
South Sioux City, situated in Nebraska, US, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from South Sioux City for various reasons, such as recreational activities, boat shows, or relocation. The city's proximity to the Missouri River makes it an ideal location for boating and water sports.
When it comes to boat transport in South Sioux City, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced boat transport company. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in South Sioux City who can safely and efficiently transport your boat to or from the city. By comparing quotes from multiple boat transport companies in South Sioux City, you can find the best deal and ensure that your boat arrives at its destination in perfect condition.
