Navigating the Process of Transporting a Watercraft
Regardless of whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat, discovering a dependable boat transportation service that fulfills all your requirements can be a daunting task. On Shiply, you can locate and evaluate trustworthy boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently securing quotes up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before proceeding, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in accomplishing that objective.
Factors Influencing the Expense of Boat Transportation
Providing an exact cost is challenging due to the numerous variables that can impact quotes. However, on average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer hauls can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial factors that can affect the expense of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to be transported will significantly influence the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats cannot. Boat size can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
- Trailer: Whether you possess your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Locations of Pickup & Delivery: Accessibility to your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions and alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat's Dimensions
To obtain an accurate quote for the cost of transporting your boat, you must provide its dimensions to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend verifying them 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 exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transportation.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate Boat Transport Companies
There are numerous factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, and it can often seem overwhelming given all the variables. This is where Shiply can assist. Once you have the make and measurements of your boat and the pickup and drop-off locations, you can simply 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 and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can stay safe knowing the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like 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 Boat for Shipping
Once you've reviewed 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. Ensure you have these at hand if needed to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment you don't want lost during transit. It also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup in case anything occurs.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup. Also disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If 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.
Post-Delivery Procedures
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: Verify that the boat's engines still run and 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 also ask that you leave feedback and a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and helps your mover understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Collierville, Tennessee
Collierville, Tennessee is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. Situated just outside of Memphis, Collierville offers easy access to several nearby lakes and rivers, making it a convenient spot for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their boats to Collierville for storage during the off-season or to enjoy the local waterways during the summer months.
When transporting a boat to or from Collierville, it's crucial to choose a reliable boat transport company that has experience navigating the area. Shiply can help connect you with trusted boat movers in Collierville who can ensure your vessel arrives safely and on time. Whether you're moving your boat locally or across the country, Shiply makes it easy to find and compare quotes from top-rated boat transport companies in Collierville, Tennessee.