How to Convey a Watercraft from Bluffton, South Carolina
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new vessel, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin, you need to determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
It's challenging to provide a precise price for boat transport due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anything from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can impact the cost of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly affect the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions and alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, 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:
- 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, and 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 things to consider when searching for a boat transport company, which can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can help. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving 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 and review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can stay safe in the knowledge that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and 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 looked at all your quotes and 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 late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove any personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit and gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup.
- 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.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it's being transported.
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: Check that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate 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.
Once the boat transport is complete, we also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover so future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, and your mover can understand how their level of service was received.
Bluffton, South Carolina: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Bluffton, situated in Beaufort County, South Carolina, is a delightful town renowned for its historic downtown district, lively arts scene, and breathtaking natural beauty. Located along the May River, Bluffton is a favored destination for boating enthusiasts, with many people opting to transport their boats to and from the area.
The town's proximity to Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia, makes it an ideal location for those looking to explore the Lowcountry's waterways. With numerous marinas, boat ramps, and storage facilities in the area, Bluffton is well-equipped to handle the needs of boat owners.
Many people choose to move their boats to Bluffton for various reasons, such as participating in fishing tournaments, attending boating events, or simply enjoying the region's picturesque coastal scenery. Others may transport their boats from Bluffton when selling their vessel or moving to a new location.
Regardless of the reason for transporting a boat to or from Bluffton, it's essential to work with a reliable boat transport company that can ensure the safe and timely delivery of your vessel. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily find and compare trustworthy boat movers in the Bluffton area, making the process of transporting your boat stress-free and affordable.