How to Convey a Watercraft
Conveying a watercraft can be a challenging undertaking, whether you're purchasing a new boat, vending an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one spot to another. Discovering a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. However, with Shiply, you can effortlessly find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. Before you begin, it's crucial to ascertain exactly what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transport
Supplying a precise price for boat transport can be challenging due to the numerous variables that influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some essential factors that affect the cost of boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel significantly impacts the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options like Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
- Boat Size: The size of your boat also greatly affects pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for road transport.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring extra costs for additional miles.
- Time of Year: Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter road conditions and available transportation routes.
Gauging Your Boat Precisely
To receive an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat movers with the correct dimensions of your vessel. Although the manufacturer usually provides these measurements, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick overview:
- Overall Length: Gauged from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Gauged from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: The overall width of the boat, gauged from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit for transport.
How Shiply Assists in Finding Boat Transport Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a dependable boat transport company. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations of your boat, simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more precise the quotes will be, giving you a convenient way 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 choose a reliable company. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to discuss details such as trailers and accessibility. Additionally, using Shiply is often up to 75% more affordable than standard rates, as drivers are frequently making the journeys already and looking for extra loads, which is also beneficial for the environment.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've selected a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some essential steps include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents ready to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport, removing personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup. Secure any loose items that will remain on the boat, such as lifejackets, and disconnect the battery and tidy the cables.
- Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before 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 transportation.
Post-Delivery Steps
After 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: Verify 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 before pickup. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then address with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly 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.
Boat Transport in Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, Tennessee, is a popular location for boat owners, with many people moving their boats to and from the area. The city's proximity to several lakes and rivers, such as the Cumberland River and Percy Priest Lake, makes it an ideal spot for boating enthusiasts. Additionally, Franklin's growing population and thriving economy have contributed to an increased demand for boat transport services in the region.
When transporting a boat to or from Franklin, it's essential to consider factors such as the distance, boat size, and accessibility of pickup and delivery locations. By using Shiply, boat owners in Franklin can easily find and compare reliable boat transport companies, ensuring their vessels are moved safely and efficiently.