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Conveying a Vessel: An All-Encompassing Manual


Whether you're acquiring a fresh watercraft, vending an aged one, or simply need to transport your boat from one spot to another, discovering a reliable boat shipping company that satisfies all your requirements can be daunting. Shiply enables you to uncover & contrast trustworthy boat transporters with just a few clicks, frequently offering estimates up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you commence, it's vital to ascertain the precise service you necessitate. This guide aims to aid you in doing exactly that.


Elements Influencing the Expense of Boat Shipping


Supplying a precise cost for boat transportation can be challenging due to the numerous variables that impact quotes. On average, short-distance shipping can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some of the key factors that affect the expense of boat transportation include:


1. Distance: The distance your vessel needs to travel significantly influences the price. Domestic shipping within the US is typically cheaper than international travel, as it often involves inland transportation on a trailer. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.


2. Boat Size: The dimensions of your watercraft can also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also determine which routes a boat shipping company can take when transporting by road.


3. Trailer: Whether you provide your own boat trailer or require the boat transporters to supply one can affect the overall cost of shipping.


4. Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can influence pricing. Remote areas may incur extra costs due to the additional miles required for pickup.


5. Time of Year: Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.


Precisely Measuring Your Vessel


To receive an accurate estimate for boat shipping, you must provide potential boat transporters with the correct dimensions of your watercraft. While manufacturers usually provide these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. The key measurements include:


1. Overall Length: Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
2. Overall Height: Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
3. Beam: The overall width of the vessel, measured from the two widest points.


A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transportation.


Employing Shiply to Discover Boat Shipping Companies


Shiply streamlines the process of finding a reliable boat shipping company. By providing the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations of your vessel, boat moving companies will send personalized estimates directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate these estimates will be, allowing you to easily compare your options.


Shiply's feedback and review system enables you to view ratings & feedback for any boat transporter who quotes you, ensuring you can trust in the reliability of the company. You can also communicate with quoters within the platform to discuss details such as trailers and accessibility. Additionally, using Shiply is often up to 75% cheaper than standard rates, as drivers may already be making the journey and are seeking extra loads, making it an environmentally friendly option as well.


Readying Your Vessel for Shipment


Once you've selected a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:


1. Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents readily available to avoid any last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport, removing personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
3. Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails: For sailboats, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence: Document the condition of your watercraft with time-stamped photographs before pickup, which can serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transportation.


Post-Delivery Checklist


After your boat has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:


1. Check Vital Signs: Verify that the boat's engines and any electronic equipment left on the vessel are functioning as expected.
2. Exterior Condition: Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If any issues are found, raise them with the boat shipping company.


Once the boat transport is complete, we encourage you to leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat transporter on Shiply. This helps future users browse services with confidence and allows your transporter to understand how their level of service was received.


Ohio: A Popular Destination for Boat Shipping


Ohio, a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States, is a popular destination for boat shipping. With its numerous lakes, rivers, and access to Lake Erie, many people find themselves moving their boats to and from Ohio for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons include recreational boating, fishing, and participation in water sports events.


When searching for boat shipping services in Ohio, it's essential to use relevant keywords such as "boat shipping ohio" and "ohio boat shipping" to find local companies that specialize in this area. By working with a reputable boat shipping company in Ohio, you can ensure that your vessel is handled with care and delivered safely to its destination.


Whether you're moving your boat within Ohio or to another state entirely, understanding the process of boat transportation and the factors that affect pricing can help you make informed decisions and find the best service provider for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Do I Need To Take My Boat Anywhere?

Typically, boat transporters on Shiply will be able to pick your boat up from wherever it is located and will use special boat trailers to do so. If your journey is strictly overseas then it may be cheaper to drive to the port yourself, but boat transporters will always be able to collect your boat, wherever it is.

Can I Keep Items In My Boat During Transportation?

This will likely be up to your boat transporter's discretion, so make sure to ask! One thing to note is that the items will likely not be covered by the insurance that covers the boat, so don't leave anything in there you cannot easily replace.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 447,168 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 2 6 7 4 3 1 0 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Sophie G Testimonial

Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

Gary M.

"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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