How to Move a Vessel: A Thorough Overview
Whether you're acquiring a new watercraft, parting with an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another, discovering a reliable vessel transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can uncover & compare reputable boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before you commence, it's essential to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This overview will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Moving a Watercraft
It's difficult to offer an exact cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 & $300, while longer haul trips can span from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can impact the expense of your boat transportation, including:
1. Length - The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly affect the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more economical than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
2. Vessel Size - The dimensions of your watercraft can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for transportation by road.
3. Trailer - Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your vessel 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. Season - Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Precisely Measuring Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. 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:
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 exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Discovering Vessel Transport Companies with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have the make and measurements of your vessel, along with the pickup & drop-off locations, you can enter this information on our site. Boat moving companies will then 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 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% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying Your Vessel for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're happy 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 certain documents. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup, in case anything occurs during transit. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
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 any potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. 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 transportation.
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 - Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the boat's exterior condition 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.
After the boat transport is complete, we ask that you leave feedback and 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.
Watch Hill Vessel Transport
Watch Hill, Rhode Island, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often move their watercraft to and from Watch Hill for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, maintenance, or participation in boating events. The picturesque coastal town offers a range of marinas and boating facilities, making it an attractive location for boat enthusiasts. When transporting a vessel to or from Watch Hill, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport company that can navigate the specific challenges of the area, such as narrow roads and busy waterways. By using Shiply, you can easily find and compare trustworthy boat movers who specialize in Watch Hill boat transport, ensuring your watercraft arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.