How to Convey a Watercraft from Chesapeake, Virginia
Discovering a Trustworthy Boat Transportation Company
Whether you're buying a new watercraft, selling an old one, or simply need to transport your vessel from one place to another, discovering a reliable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be difficult. Shiply enables you to locate & compare dependable boat transporters with just a few clicks, frequently providing quotes up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you begin, it's essential to establish precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
Elements Influencing Boat Transportation Costs
Supplying a precise price for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various factors that can affect quotes. On average, short distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can range from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that can influence the cost of your boat transportation include:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel greatly affects the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel.
- Boat Size: The size of your watercraft can also significantly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate special arrangements.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can affect the cost of your boat transportation.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can influence pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also impact pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Watercraft for Precise Quotes
To receive accurate quotes for your boat transport, you need to provide potential boat movers with your vessel's dimensions. Although the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what to measure:
- Overall Length: Measure from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
- Overall Height: Measure from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
- Beam: Measure the overall width of the boat from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may necessitate a special permit for transport.
How Shiply Assists in Finding Boat Transportation Companies
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transportation company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup and 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 details you provide, the more precise these quotes will be, giving you a great platform 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 sort out details such as trailers and accessibility. Additionally, using Shiply is often up to 75% cheaper than standard rates, as drivers are frequently making the journeys already and looking for extra loads, which is also good for the environment.
Readying Your Watercraft for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Some steps you should take include:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment. This also allows you to assess 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 to make the boat lighter 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 your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup to serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
Post-Delivery Checklist
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 boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If you notice any issues, raise them with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport is complete, we 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.
Chesapeake, Virginia: A Popular Destination for Boat Transport
Chesapeake, Virginia, US, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. Situated on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake offers easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal starting point for boating adventures. Many people choose to move their boats to Chesapeake for storage during the off-season or to enjoy the area's numerous marinas and boating facilities. With its convenient location and abundant water access, Chesapeake is a top choice for boat enthusiasts looking to transport their vessels.