Techniques for Conveying 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. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
What is the Cost of Transporting a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. But 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 watercraft needs to travel will greatly affect the price. If the vessel only needs to be moved within the US, then the most likely method will be by trailer, which is usually cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to go to another country, it can be more expensive.
- Watercraft Size - The size of the vessel you want to move can also greatly affect the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the watercraft can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if moving by road.
- Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to 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 required to get it.
- Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions, which can change the routes available for transportation.
How to Accurately Measure Your Watercraft
To get a precise quote for how much it will cost to move your vessel, you need to give the dimensions of it 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 quick 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 just the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' watercraft is considered to be about 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can aid you. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel and the pickup & 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 a great place to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, meaning you can stay safe in the knowledge 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 bonus of using Shiply is that often drivers are making the journeys already & 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.
Readying for Your Watercraft to be Shipped
Once you've looked at all of your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to get your vessel ready for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
- Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may need some documents. Make sure you have these handy if you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
- Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it's transported. 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 prior to pick up should anything happen. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as life jackets, and to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & stop any potential leaks that may occur 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 photographs before it's picked up, as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft 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 & 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, & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, 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.
Watercraft Transport in West Fargo, North Dakota
West Fargo, situated in North Dakota, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often relocate their vessels to & from West Fargo for various reasons, such as recreational activities or relocation. The city's proximity to the Red River and other nearby lakes makes it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts. When transporting a watercraft to or from West Fargo, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport west fargo company that can ensure the safe & timely delivery of your vessel. By using a trusted west fargo boat transport service, you can have peace of mind knowing that your boat will arrive at its destination in the same condition as when it was picked up.