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How to Convey a Watercraft: An All-Encompassing Manual


Conveying a watercraft, whether you're purchasing, vending, or simply relocating it from one spot to another, can be an intimidating undertaking. Discovering a dependable boat transport firm that satisfies all your stipulations & accommodates your budget can be arduous. Fortunately, Shiply simplifies the process of finding & comparing trustworthy boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently presenting quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you commence searching for a boat transport company, it's crucial to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in navigating the process of transporting your boat, including elements that influence pricing, how to gauge your boat, & what to do before & after the relocation.


The expense of boat transport can differ greatly depending on several elements. On average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer haul journeys can range from $600 to $1,000. Some of the key factors that impact boat transport pricing include:


1. Distance: The span your boat needs to be transported significantly affects 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 & may necessitate different methods, such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, or submersion.


2. Boat Size: The dimensions of your boat can influence pricing, as larger boats may require special permits or be restricted from certain transportation methods. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may need alternative solutions.


3. Trailer: Whether you provide your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to supply one can impact the overall cost of transportation.


4. Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup & delivery locations can affect pricing. Remote areas may incur extra costs due to the additional miles required for pickup or delivery.


5. Time of Year: Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, & snow can alter available transportation routes & affect road conditions.


To receive precise quotes from potential boat movers, you must provide accurate measurements of your boat. While manufacturers usually provide these dimensions, it's recommended to double-check them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick guide on how to measure your boat:


1. Overall Length: Measure from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
2. Overall Height: Measure from the highest (non-removable) point of the boat to the bottom of the keel.
3. Beam: Measure the overall width of the boat from the two widest points.


A "standard" boat is considered to be approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding these dimensions may require special permits for transportation.


Shiply streamlines the process of finding reliable boat transport companies. By providing your boat's make, measurements, pickup, & drop-off locations, boat moving companies will send custom quotes directly to your inbox. The more information you provide, the more accurate the quotes will be. Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you choose a reliable company. You can also communicate with boat movers within the Shiply platform to discuss details such as trailers & accessibility.


Using Shiply not only benefits the environment by connecting you with drivers already making similar journeys, but it can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.


Once you've selected a boat mover, it's time to prepare your boat for transport:


1. Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documents readily available.
2. Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat, remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment, & secure loose items like lifejackets. Disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
3. Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of the fuel. Disconnect the fuel tanks to prevent leaks during transit & reduce the boat's weight.
4. Remove Sails: For sailboats, remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence: Document your boat's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup to serve as evidence in case of any damages during transportation.


After your boat has been transported to its destination, follow these steps to ensure everything is in order:


1. Check Vital Signs: Verify that the boat's engines & any electronic equipment left on board are functioning properly.
2. Exterior Condition: Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the pre-pickup photos 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, leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover on Shiply. This helps future users make informed decisions & allows the mover to understand how their service was received.


Woodbridge, Virginia, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to & from. Situated along the Potomac River, Woodbridge offers easy access to the water, making it an ideal spot for boating enthusiasts. Many people choose to move their boats to Woodbridge for storage during the off-season or to enjoy the area's scenic waterways during the summer months.


When searching for "boat transport Woodbridge" or "Woodbridge boat transport," it's essential to find a reliable company that can safely & efficiently handle your vessel. By using Shiply to compare quotes & read reviews from previous customers, you can ensure that your boat is in good hands during its journey to or from Woodbridge.


In conclusion, transporting a boat requires careful planning & consideration of various factors, such as distance, boat size, & seasonality. By using Shiply to find trustworthy boat movers, accurately measuring your boat, & properly preparing it for shipment, you can ensure a smooth & successful boat transportation experience, whether you're moving to or from popular boating destinations like Woodbridge, Virginia.

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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