A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting Your Boat
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your needs can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat 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 require. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport bethlehem and bethlehem boat transport.
Elements Influencing the Price of Boat Transportation
It's difficult to provide a precise price due to the numerous factors 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 elements that can influence the price of your boat transportation include:
1. Distance - The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly impact the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
2. Boat Size - The dimensions of your boat can also significantly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot. The size of the boat can also impact which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to supply one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
4. Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs for the extra miles required.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality is another factor that can influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat for Precise Quotes
To get a precise quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions to potential boat movers. 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:
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 boat, measured from the two widest points.
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.
How Shiply Can Assist You in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a dependable boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can 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 accurate 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% less expensive than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat 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:
1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some paperwork. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
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 boat lighter for transport and prevent potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & 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.
What to Do After Delivery
Once 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 - Check that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat 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 completed, we ask that you leave feedback & 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.
Boat Transport in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, US
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a popular location for boat owners to move their vessels to and from. Situated in the Lehigh Valley region of the state, Bethlehem offers easy access to several waterways, including the Delaware River and the Lehigh River. Many people choose to transport their boat to Bethlehem for recreational purposes, such as fishing, water skiing, and cruising.
Additionally, Bethlehem's proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and New York makes it a convenient location for boat owners who want to store their vessels during the off-season or have them serviced by local marinas and repair shops. With the help of reliable boat transport companies, moving your boat to or from Bethlehem can be a seamless and stress-free experience.