A Comprehensive Guide to Boat Transportation
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 service that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable boat haulers with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, it's essential to identify precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the many factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
1. Distance - The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly impact the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is usually cheaper than international travel. 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 vessel can also greatly affect 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 impact the routes available for transportation by road.
3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat haulers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
4. Pickup & Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide potential boat haulers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides 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 vessel, measured from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Locating Boat Transport Services with Shiply
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a reliable boat transport service. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, & drop-off locations of your vessel, simply enter this information on our site, and boat hauling companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate 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 boat hauler who quotes you, ensuring you choose a reliable 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. This means not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're happy with, it's time to prepare your vessel for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & 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.
Post-Delivery Steps
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 still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates 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 identify any damages that occurred during transit, which you can then raise with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat hauler. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your hauler to understand how their level of service was received.
Puerto Rico Boat Transport
People often move boats to and from Puerto Rico, a US territory, for various reasons. Some may be relocating to the island, while others may be bringing their vessel for leisure or business purposes. Puerto Rico's stunning coastline, crystal-clear waters, & year-round warm weather make it an attractive destination for boating enthusiasts.
When transporting a boat to or from Puerto Rico, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport service with experience in navigating the unique challenges of shipping to and from the island. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat haulers who specialize in Puerto Rico boat transport, ensuring your vessel arrives safely & on time.