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 company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat haulers with just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, you need to determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide a precise price due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul trips can range from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel will significantly impact the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. The size of the boat can also impact which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- 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.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur extra costs for the additional miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Properly Measuring Your Boat
To get an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide its dimensions to potential boat haulers. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview:
- Overall Length: Measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- 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, & 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, & it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help you. Once you have the make & measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, & 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 & feedback for any boat hauler who quotes you, ensuring you can trust that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers & accessibility. Another benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys & 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 Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've reviewed all your quotes & chosen one you're satisfied with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit, & also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup in case anything happens. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as life jackets, & disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, & disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition 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, the hard part is over, but there are still a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Check Vital Signs: Ensure the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates as expected.
- Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition 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 complete, we ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat hauler so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, & also help your hauler understand how their level of service was received.
Fajardo, Puerto Rico: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Fajardo, located on the east coast of Puerto Rico, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. Many people often move their "boar" to & from Fajardo for various reasons, such as enjoying the beautiful beaches, participating in water activities, or simply storing their boats in the numerous marinas available in the area. When searching for "boat transport fajardo" or "fajardo boat transport," Shiply can help connect you with reliable boat haulers who specialize in transporting vessels to & from this beautiful part of Puerto Rico.
In conclusion, transporting a boat can be a complex process, but with proper planning, preparation, & the help of a reliable boat transport company, it can be a smooth & stress-free experience. By using Shiply to find & compare boat haulers, you can ensure that your boat is in good hands & arrives at its destination safely & efficiently.