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How to Convey a Vessel: An All-Encompassing Manual


Conveying a vessel, whether you're purchasing, vending, or simply relocating it from one spot to another, can be an intimidating undertaking. Discovering a reliable boat transport firm that fulfills all your requirements can be demanding. Nevertheless, with Shiply, you can uncover & contrast trustworthy boat movers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. Before you commence, it's vital to ascertain precisely what service you necessitate. This manual will assist you in navigating the process of transporting your vessel.


Providing a precise price for boat transport can be challenging due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. 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 factors that can affect the cost of your boat transportation include:


1. Distance - The distance your vessel needs to travel will significantly impact the price. Domestic transport within the US is typically less expensive than international travel, as it usually involves inland transportation on a trailer. International boat transport can be more costly, with options such as Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.


2. Vessel Size - The size of your vessel can also greatly affect pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger boats may require alternative methods. The size of the boat can also impact the routes available for transportation by road.


3. Trailer - Whether you have your own boat trailer or need the boat movers to provide one can also affect the cost of your boat transportation.


4. Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can impact pricing. A boat being picked up from a remote area may incur extra costs for the additional miles required.


5. Time of Year - Seasonality can also affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all impact road conditions, which can alter the routes available for transportation.


To receive an accurate quote for transporting your vessel, you need to provide potential boat movers with its dimensions. While the manufacturer usually provides these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any issues on the day of transport. Here's a brief overview of what to measure:


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 roughly 40' long, 7'10" high, and 7'8" wide. Boats exceeding this size may require a special permit to travel.


Shiply simplifies the process of finding a reliable boat transport company. Once you have the make, measurements, pickup, and drop-off locations of your boat, you can enter this information on our site. Boat moving companies will then 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 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. An added bonus of using Shiply is that drivers are often already making the journeys and looking for extra loads, which can be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates and is good for the environment.


Once you've chosen a quote you're happy with, it's time to prepare your boat for transport. Here are some steps you should take:


1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents at hand to avoid late mishaps.


2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your boat before transport. This allows you to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and assess the condition of your boat prior to pickup.


3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of your fuel prior to pickup. Disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter for transport and prevent potential leaks during transit.


4. Remove Sails - If transporting a sailboat, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.


5. Photographic Evidence - Document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before pickup. This will serve as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur during transport.


Once your boat has been transported to its destination, there are a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:


1. Check Vital Signs - Ensure the boat's engines still run and any electronic equipment left on the vessel operates as expected.


2. Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the boat upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pickup. This will help you identify 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 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.


Tacoma, Washington, US, is a popular location for boat owners to transport their vessels to and from. Situated on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma offers a variety of boating opportunities, from fishing and water sports to cruising and sailing. The city's proximity to Seattle and the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastline makes it an attractive destination for boaters from across the country.


Many people choose to move their boats to Tacoma for storage during the off-season or to enjoy the area's waters during the summer months. With numerous marinas and boat storage facilities available, Tacoma is well-equipped to handle the needs of boat owners. When searching for boat transport services to or from Tacoma, consider using keywords such as "boat transport tacoma" or "tacoma boat transport" to find local providers who are familiar with the area and can ensure a smooth, safe journey for your vessel.

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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