How to Convey a Vessel from Charleston, South Carolina
Conveying a vessel can be a challenging process, whether you're purchasing a new boat, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your watercraft from one place to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your needs can be difficult. However, on Shiply, you can find & compare dependable boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you begin searching for a boat transport company, you need to establish precisely what service you require. This guide will assist you in doing just that, especially if you're looking for boat transport in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's challenging to provide a precise price for boat transportation due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 and $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some of the factors that can impact the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will greatly affect the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically cheaper than international travel. If your boat needs to travel internationally, there are a few options, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and 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 affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: The ease of access to your pickup and delivery locations can affect 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 affect road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.
Gauging Your Boat for Transport
To get an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of your vessel to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what you need to measure:
- 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.
Utilizing Shiply to Find Boat Transport Companies
Shiply can assist you in finding reliable boat transport companies and comparing quotes. 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 information you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be.
Shiply's feedback and review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover 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 using Shiply can be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates and is also good for the environment.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a boat transport company, you need to prepare your vessel 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 to avoid any late mishaps.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove Sails: If you're transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
- 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.
Charleston, South Carolina: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Charleston, South Carolina, is a popular destination for boat owners looking to transport their vessels to and from the area. As a coastal city with a rich maritime history, Charleston offers numerous marinas, boatyards, and boat transport services.
Many people choose to move their boats to Charleston for various reasons, such as:
- Enjoying the city's beautiful waterways and coastal scenery
- Participating in fishing tournaments and other boating events
- Accessing top-notch boating facilities and services
- Storing their boats in a temperate climate during the off-season
Similarly, boat owners in Charleston may need to transport their vessels to other locations for repairs, upgrades, or to explore new boating destinations.
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:
- Check Vital Signs: Ensure that the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.
- 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 may have 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 on Shiply. This helps future users browse services with confidence and allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
By following these guidelines and using Shiply to find reliable boat transport companies, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free experience when transporting your boat to or from Charleston, South Carolina.