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How to Move a Vessel: A Thorough Manual


When it comes to purchasing, vending, or simply relocating your vessel from one spot to another, discovering a reliable boat transportation company that satisfies all your requirements can be daunting. Shiply simplifies the process of finding & comparing trustworthy boat haulers with just a few clicks, frequently providing quotes up to 75% lower than standard prices. However, before you start, it's essential to ascertain the precise service you necessitate. This manual aims to support you in accomplishing exactly that.


Supplying a precise cost for boat transportation can be challenging due to the various factors that impact quotes. On average, short-distance transport can range from $150 to $300, while longer haul trips can span from $600 to $1,000. Some crucial elements that influence the price of boat transportation include:


1. Length - The distance your vessel needs to traverse significantly affects the cost. Domestic transportation within the US is typically more affordable than international travel. For international boat transport, choices include Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO), enclosed containers, flat racks, and submersion.
2. Vessel Size - The dimensions of your boat can also greatly impact pricing. Standard-sized boats can be transported internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels may necessitate alternative methods. The size of the boat can also affect the routes available for road transportation.
3. Trailer - Whether you supply your own boat trailer or require the boat haulers to provide one can also influence the cost of transportation.
4. Pickup and Delivery Spots - The accessibility of your pickup and delivery locations can affect pricing, with remote areas potentially incurring additional costs for extra miles.
5. Season - Seasonality plays a role in pricing, as ice, wind, and snow can modify available transportation routes.

To obtain an accurate quote for boat transportation, you must provide potential boat haulers with your vessel's measurements. While the manufacturer usually supplies these, we recommend double-checking the dimensions yourself to avoid any problems on the day of transport. Here's a quick summary:


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

Shiply streamlines the process of finding a boat transport company. Once you have your boat's make, measurements, and pickup and drop-off spots, simply enter this information on our site, and boat moving companies will send personalized quotes directly to your inbox. The more details you provide, the more precise the quotes will be, giving you an excellent platform to compare your options.


After selecting a quote you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your vessel for transport. Some essential steps include:


1. Documents - If your boat is being sold or traveling abroad, ensure you have any necessary documents on hand to avoid last-minute issues.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly clean your vessel before transport to remove personal belongings and expensive electronic equipment, and to assess its condition prior to pickup. Secure loose items and disconnect the battery.
3. Empty Liquids - Empty the bilge, refuse stores, and most of the fuel, and disconnect the fuel tanks to make the boat lighter and prevent potential leaks during transit.
4. Remove Sails - For sailboats, remove all winches and rigging from the mast.
5. Photographic Evidence - Document your vessel's condition with time-stamped photographs before pickup to serve as evidence of its prior condition in case of any damages during transportation.

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


1. Check Vital Signs - Verify that the boat's engines and any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
2. Exterior Condition - Compare the boat's exterior condition upon arrival to the photos taken before pickup to identify any damages that may have occurred during transit. If any issues are found, raise them with the boat transport company.

Moundsville, situated in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, is a popular destination for boat transport. Many people choose to move their vessels to and from Moundsville due to its proximity to the Ohio River and various recreational opportunities in the area. The city's convenient location and access to water make it an ideal spot for boat enthusiasts to enjoy their vessels.


When searching for "boat transport moundsville" or "moundsville boat transport," Shiply can help connect you with reliable and experienced boat haulers in the region. Our platform allows you to compare quotes and services from multiple providers, ensuring you find the best option for your specific needs and budget.

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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