3 Things To Know About Shipping A Boat
When you make a long-distance move and you have a boat, you need to make plans for your boat as well. You can sell your boat, or you can take your boat with you. If you choose to take your boat with you, you will need to ship your boat to your new destination.
You Need to Measure Your Boat
First, you are going to need to measure your boat so that you can let the boat hauling company know exactly how large your boat is. This will help them make sure that have the right sized transport ready for your boat. You will need to provide them with a variety of measurements so they can prepare for your boat. It is best to manually measure your boat, even if you have the measurements for your boat provided by the manufacturer. The measurements may include equipment not provided by the manufacturer.
First, you are going to need to measure the overall length of the boat. When you measure the length of the boat, you will measure from the tip of the bow, all the way to the center of the stern.
When measuring the length of your boat, you may have a few measurements you need to make. You need to measure the length of the motor when in a raised position. You need to include any swim platforms or motor brackets as well. Be sure to measure the entire length of your boat, including equipment.
Second, you need to measure the overall height of your boat. You are going to want to start at the bottom of the keel of your boat and measure all the way up to the tallest point on your boat that you can't take down or collapse for storage during the transportation process.
Third, you need to measure the beam of your boat, which is basically the width of your boat. Measure across the widest point of your boat, and make sure that your measurements include the rub-rail.
You Need to Determine What Type of Carrier You need
When it comes to transporting your boat, you can hire a boat transport company to haul your boat to your new home using your own trailer. If you use your own trailer, you are going to have to get your trailer inspected by the boat transport company to make sure that the boat meets their standards, such as having working lights and tires that are in good shape.
You can also use the transporter's boat trailer. If you go this route, you will need to work with the transporters to figure out what type of trailer is needed and how the boat will be loaded onto the trailer at the start of the trip and how and where the boat will be unloaded at the end of the trip.
It is often advisable to use your own trailer if you have one; if not, you can rent a trailer to use from the boat transportation company.
You Need to Purchase Permits and Insurance
Next, you may need to purchase permits for shipping your boat, depending on the states that your boat will be transported through and how large your boat is. The boat hauling company you work with will be able to let you know if you need any permits and help you secure them.
You are also going to want to have insurance on your boat. If you don't typically carry insurance on your boat, you are going to want to add some insurance coverage to your boat to protect it during the transportation process.
If you have a boat you need to ship, don't do it on your own. Hire a boat transport company to help you out with the process. They can measure your boat for you, help you determine what type of carrier you need for your boat, and make sure you have the right permits and insurance for the trip. Don't delay; contact a boat transportation company right away so you can get the details of shipping your boat figured out before your moving date.