How to Move a Watercraft
Discovering a Trustworthy Watercraft Moving Company
Whether you're buying a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one spot to another, locating a reliable boat moving company that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare dependable watercraft transporters in just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
Elements Influencing Watercraft Transportation Prices
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the numerous factors that can affect quotes. On average, short distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can impact the price of your boat moving include:
- Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be moved will significantly influence the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Watercraft Size - The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can also impact the price.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year - Seasonality can influence pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To obtain an accurate quote for moving your boat, you must provide its dimensions to potential watercraft transporters. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's 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 vessel, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat 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 Moving Companies
Shiply can help you navigate the many considerations when searching for a boat transport company. Once you have your watercraft's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, simply 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 precise 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 boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. 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. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Watercraft for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents - If your watercraft is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and assess your boat'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 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. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs - Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel 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 boat transport company.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Watercraft Transport in Mesquite, Nevada
Mesquite, Nevada, US, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to move their vessels to and from the area. Many people transport their "boar" to Mesquite for various reasons, such as participating in water activities on nearby lakes and rivers or storing their watercraft during the off-season.
When searching for watercraft transport mesquite or mesquite boat moving, it's crucial to find a reliable and experienced company that can handle the unique challenges of transporting boats in the desert climate. By using Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple boat transport providers and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.