A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting Your Boat
Whether you're buying a new vessel, selling an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one spot to another, locating a reliable boat transport service that fulfills all your requirements can be a daunting task. On Shiply, you can find & compare trustworthy boat haulers with just a few clicks, often with prices up to 75% lower than standard rates. However, before you start, it's essential to determine precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Boat Transportation
It's difficult to offer a precise cost for boat transport due to the various factors that can influence quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can cost between $600 and $1,000. Several elements can impact the expense of your boat transportation, including:
- Distance: The mileage your boat needs to travel will significantly affect the price. Domestic transport within the US is usually less expensive than international shipping.
- Boat Dimensions: The size of your vessel can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may require special arrangements.
- Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat haulers to supply one can also impact the cost.
- Pickup & Delivery Spots: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs.
- Season: Seasonality can also play a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can alter available transportation routes.
Measuring Your Vessel for Transport
To receive an accurate quote for boat transportation, you'll need to provide potential boat haulers with your vessel's dimensions. While the manufacturer usually supplies these measurements, we recommend double-checking them yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a quick 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 approximately 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Vessels exceeding these dimensions may require a special permit for transport.
Locating Boat Transport Services with Shiply
Shiply streamlines the process of finding reliable boat transport services. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup & drop-off locations, simply enter this information on our site, and boat hauling companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more accurate these quotes will be, giving you a convenient way to compare your options.
Shiply's feedback & review system allows you to view ratings and comments for any boat hauler who quotes you, ensuring you can choose a reliable service with confidence. You can also message any boat hauler who quotes you within our platform to discuss details such as trailers and accessibility.
Another advantage of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for additional loads. This means using Shiply is not only eco-friendly but can also save you up to 75% compared to standard rates.
Readying Your Boat for Shipping
Once you've selected a boat hauler you're happy with, it's time to prepare your vessel for transport. Here are some steps you should take:
- Documents: If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary paperwork on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and 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 & rigging from the mast.
- Photographic Evidence: Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.
After Delivery: What to Do
Once your boat has reached 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. This will help you identify any damages that may have occurred during transit, which you can then address with the boat transport service.
After the boat transport is complete, we encourage you to leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat hauler. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence and allows your hauler to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue, Washington, is a popular location for boat owners, with many people moving their boats to and from the city. Situated on the shores of Lake Washington, Bellevue offers easy access to boating activities and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Whether you're relocating to Bellevue or simply need to transport your boat for maintenance or storage, finding a reliable boat transport service is essential.
When searching for "boat transport Bellevue" or "Bellevue boat transport," consider using Shiply to compare quotes from trusted boat haulers in the area. Our platform makes it easy to find affordable and reliable boat transportation services, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely and on time.