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, locating a reliable boat transportation service that meets all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare dependable watercraft movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more affordable 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 Costs
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 cost of your watercraft transportation include:
1. Distance - The distance your vessel needs to be transported will significantly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
2. Watercraft Size - The size of your vessel can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the watercraft can also influence which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the watercraft movers to provide one can also impact the cost of your vessel transportation.
4. Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for the additional miles required.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To get an accurate quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide its dimensions to potential watercraft movers. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Measure the overall length from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern, the overall height from the highest (non-removable) point of the watercraft to the bottom of the keel, and the beam, which is the overall width of the vessel. A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate Watercraft Transportation Services
Shiply can help streamline the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can 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 precise these quotes will be, giving you a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any watercraft mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the reliability of the company. You can also message 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 extra loads, which can be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates and is good for the environment.
Readying Your Watercraft for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your vessel for transport. Some steps you should take include:
1. Documents - If your watercraft is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and assess the condition of your watercraft prior to pickup. Secure any loose items that will stay 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 prior to pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the vessel 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 - Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
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:
1. Check Vital Signs - Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the watercraft 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 watercraft 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 Wahpeton, North Dakota
Wahpeton, situated in North Dakota, US, is a popular destination for watercraft enthusiasts. Many people often move their vessels to and from Wahpeton for various reasons, such as recreational activities, boat shows, or relocation. When looking for watercraft transport in Wahpeton, it's crucial to find a reliable company that can safely and efficiently transport your vessel.
Shiply can help you find trustworthy watercraft transport companies in Wahpeton, ensuring your boat arrives at its destination in the same condition it was picked up. By comparing quotes from multiple watercraft movers, you can find the best deal for your specific needs, whether you require boat transport to or from Wahpeton.