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How to Move a Watercraft: An All-Inclusive Manual


When it comes to purchasing, vending, or simply relocating your watercraft from one spot to another, discovering a trustworthy boat transportation firm that satisfies all your requirements can be daunting. Shiply simplifies the process of finding & comparing dependable boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently providing estimates up to 75% lower than typical prices. However, before you start, it's essential to ascertain the precise service you necessitate. This manual aims to aid you in accomplishing precisely that.


Supplying a precise cost for watercraft relocation can be challenging due to the various factors that impact quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can span from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that influence the expense of boat transportation include:


1. Distance - The span your watercraft needs to traverse significantly affects the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, choices include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
2. Watercraft Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the watercraft can also affect the routes available for road transportation.
3. Trailer - Whether you provide your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can also influence the cost of transportation.
4. Pickup & Delivery Locations - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery spots can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs for extra miles.
5. Time of Year - Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.

To receive a precise estimate for watercraft relocation, you must provide potential boat movers with your vessel's measurements. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 watercraft, measured from the two widest points.

A 'standard' boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Vessels exceeding this size may require a special permit for transportation.


Shiply streamlines the process of finding a watercraft transport company. Simply enter your boat's make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations on our site, and boat moving firms will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate the estimates will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.


Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also communicate with anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details like trailers and accessibility.


Using Shiply not only benefits the environment, as drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for additional loads, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.


Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your watercraft for transport. Some essential steps include:


1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment and assess its condition prior to pickup.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel before pickup, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - For sailboats, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence - Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup to serve as evidence of its prior condition in case of any damages during transportation.

After your watercraft has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:


1. Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If any issues are found, raise them with the boat transport company.

Once the boat transport is complete, we kindly ask that you leave feedback & 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.


Dallas, Texas, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. As a major metropolitan area, Dallas offers a wide range of boating opportunities, from nearby lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Many people choose to move their boats to Dallas for storage during the off-season or to enjoy the city's numerous water-based recreational activities.


When searching for "boat transport dallas" or "dallas boat transport," it's essential to find a reliable and experienced company that can handle the unique challenges of transporting a boat in and around the Dallas area. Factors such as traffic congestion, road conditions, and weather can all impact the safety and efficiency of boat transportation.


By using Shiply to find and compare boat transport companies in Dallas, you can ensure that your vessel is in capable hands and that you're getting the best possible price for the service. Whether you're moving your boat to Dallas for the first time or transporting it back home after a season on the water, Shiply can help you find the right "dallas boat transport" provider for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Do I Need To Take My Boat Anywhere?

Typically, boat transporters on Shiply will be able to pick your boat up from wherever it is located and will use special boat trailers to do so. If your journey is strictly overseas then it may be cheaper to drive to the port yourself, but boat transporters will always be able to collect your boat, wherever it is.

Can I Keep Items In My Boat During Transportation?

This will likely be up to your boat transporter's discretion, so make sure to ask! One thing to note is that the items will likely not be covered by the insurance that covers the boat, so don't leave anything in there you cannot easily replace.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 447,168 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 2 6 7 4 3 1 0 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Sophie G Testimonial

Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

Gary M.

"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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