How to Convey a Watercraft
Whether you're purchasing a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, discovering a dependable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & compare trustworthy boat transporters in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. However, first, you must determine precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in accomplishing just that.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Boat?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to all the factors that can influence quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several elements can impact how much your boat transportation will cost. We've listed some crucial ones below:
Distance - The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly affect the price. If the boat only needs to be moved within the US, then the most likely method will be by trailer on the road, which is usually cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another country, it can be more expensive. There are a few options here. Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common way to transport boats internationally & involves your boat staying on a trailer for the whole trip. If your boat is a normal size, you might want to consider using an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a cheaper way to transport boats internationally. If it's a big boat that you need to move to another country, a flat rack can often be attached to a vessel which your boat can be strapped into while in its own special cradle. Finally, there's always the option of submersion when looking at international boat delivery options, which simply involves your boat being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The dimensions of the watercraft you want to relocate can also greatly influence the pricing. For instance, normal-sized boats can be shipped internationally using enclosed containers, while bigger boats can't. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if moving by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pick up and drop off locations can affect pricing too, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also cost extra for the additional miles needed to get it.
Time of Year - The season is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all affect road conditions which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Boat
In order for you to get a precise quote for how much it will cost to relocate your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of it to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually give you these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. As a quick overview:
Overall Length - This is measured from the very front to the middle of the back. 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 about 40' long, 7'10" high & 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may need a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help you. Once you have the make & 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 info you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be. This gives you an excellent place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, meaning you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers & accessibility.
Another advantage of using Shiply is that often drivers are already making the trips & 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 normal rates.
Preparing for Your Boat to Be Transported
Once you've examined all your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to get your boat ready for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling to another country, you may need some documents. Make sure you have these ready if you need them to avoid any last-minute problems.
Cleaning - It's an excellent idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's moved. Not only will this mean you can 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 before pick up in case anything happens. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat like life jackets & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel before pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & stop any potential leaks that may happen in transit.
Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you're transporting, then 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 photos before it's picked up as this will come in handy as proof of its condition before transport if any damages occur while it's being moved.
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 make sure everything is in order.
Check Vital Signs - Check that the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still works as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the outside condition of the boat when it arrives to the photos taken before pick up. This will help you spot any damages that happened during transit & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is done, we also ask that you leave feedback & 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 Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie, situated in the Hudson Valley region of New York, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to transport their boats to & from Poughkeepsie for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, relocation, or participation in boating events. The city's proximity to the Hudson River & other waterways makes it an ideal location for boating activities.
When transporting a boat to or from Poughkeepsie, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport company that can handle the specific requirements of your vessel. Factors such as the size & weight of your boat, as well as the distance it needs to travel, will impact the cost & logistics of the transport process. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple boat transport providers in Poughkeepsie & find the best option for your needs & budget.
Whether you're a resident of Poughkeepsie looking to move your boat to a new location or a visitor bringing your vessel to explore the region's waterways, proper planning & preparation are key to ensuring a smooth & successful boat transport experience.
