A Comprehensive Guide to Transporting a Watercraft
Whether you're acquiring a new vessel, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your boat from one place to another, discovering a reliable watercraft transport service that fulfills all your requirements can be daunting. On Shiply, you can find & compare reputable 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 ascertain precisely what service you need. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
The Expense of Transporting a Watercraft
It's difficult to offer a precise cost due to the numerous 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 distance your watercraft needs to travel will significantly affect the price. Domestic transportation within the US is typically less expensive than international travel. For international boat transport, options include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, & submersion.
Boat Size: The dimensions of your vessel can also greatly influence pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for transportation by road.
Trailer: Whether you have your own boat trailer or require the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.
Pickup & Delivery Locations: The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur additional costs for the extra miles required.
Time of Year: Seasonality can also influence pricing. Ice, wind, & snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the available transportation routes.
Accurately Measuring Your Watercraft
To receive a precise quote for transporting your boat, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides 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, & 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.
Discovering Boat Transport Services with Shiply
Shiply can help you navigate the many considerations when searching for a boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, pickup, & drop-off locations, simply enter this information on our site, & 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 & feedback for any boat mover who quotes you, ensuring you can trust the company's reliability. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers & accessibility.
Another benefit of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys & looking for extra loads. This means using Shiply is not only good for the environment but can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Readying 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. Make sure you have these at hand to avoid any late mishaps.
Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment you don't want to get lost during transit, & also gives you a good idea of your boat's condition prior to pickup. Secure any loose items that will stay on the boat, such as lifejackets, & disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids: Empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, & disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the boat lighter for transport & prevent any 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
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 & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operates 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 ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover. This helps future Shiply users browse services with confidence & allows your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Boat Transport in Sammamish, Washington
Sammamish, Washington, US, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people often move their "boar" to & from Sammamish for various reasons, such as recreational activities on Lake Sammamish or for storage during the off-season. With its picturesque scenery & proximity to water, Sammamish is an ideal location for boat enthusiasts. When transporting a boat to or from Sammamish, it's essential to choose a reliable boat transport company that can navigate the area's unique challenges, such as narrow roads & hilly terrain. By using Shiply, you can easily find & compare trustworthy boat movers in Sammamish, ensuring your vessel arrives at its destination safely & efficiently.
In conclusion, transporting a boat requires careful planning & consideration. By understanding the factors that affect boat transport costs, accurately measuring your boat, & properly preparing it for shipping, you can ensure a smooth & successful transport experience. With Shiply, finding reliable boat transport companies, including those serving Sammamish, Washington, is easier than ever. So, whether you're buying, selling, or simply moving your boat, trust Shiply to connect you with the right boat movers for the job.