How to Convey a Watercraft
Whether you're purchasing a watercraft, disposing of an old one, or simply need to relocate your vessel from one location to another, discovering a reliable boat transportation company that fulfills all your requirements can be challenging. On Shiply, you can locate & compare dependable boat haulers in just a few clicks, frequently with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates. But first, you must determine precisely what service you necessitate. This guide will assist you in doing just that.
How Much Does It Cost to Relocate a Watercraft?
It's challenging to provide a precise price due to the numerous variables that can influence quotes. But on average, short-distance transport can cost between $150 to $300, while longer journeys can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. As mentioned above, several factors can impact how much your boat transportation will cost. We've listed some important ones below:
Distance - The distance your watercraft needs to be relocated will greatly affect the price. If the vessel only needs to be transported within the US, then the most likely method will be by inland transportation on a trailer, which is usually cheaper than international travel. If the boat needs to go internationally, then this can be more expensive. There are a few options here.
Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO for short) is the most common method of international boat transport & involves your watercraft staying on a trailer for the whole trip. If your vessel is a standard size, then you may want to consider an enclosed container that would be put on a large shipping vessel. This can often be a cheaper international boat transport method.
If it's a big boat that you need to move internationally, then a flat rack can often be secured onto a vessel which your watercraft can be strapped into while in its own personal cradle. Finally, there is always the option of submersion when looking at international boat delivery options, which simply involves your vessel being loaded & unloaded from the water.
Boat Size - The size of the watercraft that you want to transport can also greatly affect the pricing. For example, standard-sized boats can be moved internationally using enclosed containers, while larger vessels cannot. The size of the boat can also affect which routes a boat transport company can take if transporting by road.
Trailer - Depending on whether you have your own boat trailer or you need the boat movers to provide one, this can also affect the cost of your watercraft transportation.
Locations of Pickup & Delivery - The ease of access to your pick up and delivery locations can affect pricing as well, with ease of access playing a part. A boat being picked up from a remote area may also incur extra costs for the extra miles required to pick it up.
Time of Year - Seasonality is another thing that can affect pricing. Ice, wind, and snow can all affect road conditions which can alter the routes available for transportation.
How to Properly Measure Your Watercraft
In order for you to get an accurate quote for how much it will cost to move your boat, you need to provide the dimensions of it to potential boat movers. While the manufacturer will usually give you these, we recommend double-checking yourself to avoid any mishaps on the day of transport. As a brief overview:
Overall Length - This is measured from the very end of the bow to the middle of the stern.
Overall Height - This is measured from the highest (non-removable) point of the watercraft to the bottom of the keel.
Beam - The beam is just the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.
A 'standard' boat is considered to be roughly 40' long, 7'10" high & 7'8" wide. Boats over this size may require a special permit to travel.
How Can Shiply Help Find Boat Transport Companies?
There are many things that need to be considered when looking for a boat transport company, & often it can seem overwhelming given all of the variables. This is where Shiply can help you.
Once you have the make & measurements of your watercraft and the pickup & drop-off locations, you can 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. This gives 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, meaning you can stay safe in the knowledge that the company is reliable. You can also message anyone who quotes you within our platform to sort out details such as trailers & accessibility.
Another added bonus of using Shiply is that often drivers are making the journeys already & are looking for extra loads, meaning not only is using Shiply good for the environment but it can also be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.
Preparing for Your Watercraft to Be Shipped
Once you have looked at all of your quotes & chosen one you are happy with, you need to prepare your boat for transport. Some of the steps you should take are:
Documents - If your watercraft is being sold or traveling abroad, you may require some documents. Make sure you have these at hand if you need them to avoid any late mishaps.
Cleaning - It's a great idea to thoroughly clean your boat before it is moved. Not only will this mean you can remove any personal belongings & expensive electronic equipment that you don't want to get lost during transit, but it also means you can get a good idea of the condition of your vessel prior to pick up should anything occur. You should also make sure to secure any loose items that will stay on the boat such as lifejackets & to disconnect the battery & tidy the cables.
Empty Liquids - You should empty the bilge, refuse stores, & most of your fuel prior to pickup, as well as disconnect the fuel tanks. This will make the watercraft lighter for transport & put a stop to any potential leaks that may occur in transit.
Remove Sails - If it's a sailboat you are transporting, then you need to remove all winches & rigging from the mast.
Photographic Evidence - We highly recommend that you document the condition of your vessel with time-stamped photographs before it is picked up as this will come in handy as evidence of its prior condition should any damages occur while it is being moved.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your watercraft has been transported to its destination, the hard part is over, but this doesn't mean there aren't a few steps you can take to ensure everything is in order.
Check Vital Signs - Check that the boat's engines still run & any electronic equipment left on the vessel still operate as expected.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior condition of the watercraft upon arrival to the photos taken prior to pick up. This will help you spot any damages which have occurred during transit & you can then raise this with the boat transport company.
Once the boat transport has been completed, we also ask that you leave feedback & a rating for your chosen boat mover so that future Shiply users can browse services with the same level of confidence, as well as helping your mover to understand how their level of service was received.
Wausau, Wisconsin, US & Boat Transport
Wausau, located in central Wisconsin, is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Many people often move their boar to & from Wausau for various reasons, such as seasonal changes, recreational activities, or relocation. The city's proximity to several lakes & rivers makes it an ideal spot for boating.
When it comes to boat transport wausau, there are several reliable companies that offer professional services. These wausau boat transport providers ensure that your vessel is safely & efficiently moved to its destination, whether it's within the city or across the country.
If you're looking for boat transport in Wausau, consider using Shiply to find the best deals & compare quotes from multiple providers. With Shiply, you can easily connect with trusted boat movers who specialize in wausau boat transport, making the entire process hassle-free & cost-effective.