A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting Your Boat
Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one location to another, locating a reliable boat transport company that fulfills all your requirements can be a daunting task. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, often with quotes up to 75% more affordable than standard rates. However, before proceeding, you must determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that, including information on boat transport Winchester and Winchester boat transport.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
It's difficult to provide a precise cost due to the numerous factors that can influence quotes. However, on average, short distance transport can range between $150 & $300, while longer haul journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. Several elements can affect the expense of your boat transportation, such as:
- Distance: The distance your boat needs to travel greatly impacts the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically more affordable than international travel.
- Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can also significantly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional expenses.
- Time of Year: Seasonality can also affect pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Boat
To obtain an accurate quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking 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 this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Boat Transport Companies
There are many factors to consider when searching for a boat transport company, which can often seem overwhelming. This is where Shiply can help you. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, you can simply 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, giving you a great place 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 that the company is reliable. 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, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment, but it can also be up to 75% more affordable than standard rates.
Preparing Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've chosen a quote 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 late mishaps.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment and get a good idea of 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. This will make the boat lighter for transport and prevent any potential leaks during transit.
- Remove Sails: If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches & 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 during transport.
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 the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate 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 & 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 Winchester, Virginia, US
Winchester, Virginia, US, is a popular location for boat transport. Many people often move their boats to and from Winchester for various reasons, such as recreational activities on nearby lakes and rivers or for storage during the off-season. The city's central location in the Shenandoah Valley makes it a convenient hub for boat transport, with easy access to major highways and interstates.
When searching for boat transport Winchester or Winchester boat transport, it's crucial to choose a reliable and experienced company. Shiply can help you find trustworthy boat movers in the Winchester area, allowing you to compare quotes and services to find the best option for your needs.