Shipping Your Boat

If you are planning on having your boat shipped, you should be encouraged to know that there are a number of things you can do to ensure your boat's safe arrival. You can also avoid much of the stress that comes with having any major vehicle shipped. The key to having a smooth transport of your boat, or any vehicle for that matter, is making sure that you are properly prepared.

You should first keep in mind that regardless of the type of boat you are wanting shipped, you need to thoroughly research all of the transport companies that do shipping. Whether you are wanting to relocate a small fishing boat, a sailboat, or a huge yacht, you need to do your homework. You will be relieved to know that doing the right amount of research will save you time. More importantly, it will save you a great deal of money. Again, researching the different shipping companies will provide you with a peace of mind about the whole process. As you may already know, different shipping companies are known for offering different levels of delivery.

Because of this, it is very important to let them know ahead of time exactly what you will be needing. Once you have decided which shipping company you want to trust with your boat, you will need to take the steps necessary to prepare your boat for the shipping process.

The first thing you need to do to have your boat ready to go is to measure your boat. The dimensions of your boat are an essential element in determining what size your transporting vehicle will be. Some boats are large enough that they require a ferry for their shipment. Keep in mind that the total length of your boat will include the bow pulpits, motor brackets, swim platforms, and the length of the motors or out drives in the raised position. As for the height, it is the total measurement from the bottom of the keel to the tallest part of your boat that cannot be removed. This measurement is especially critical for a sailboat. You will have to measure the beam to figure out the widest point of your boat.

A major part of having your boat shipped is deciding at which marina you will want it stored. As you determine this, you will want to take into account whether they have a travel lift or fork lift that will be used to load your boat. Also, you will want to know in advance if they are willing and able to assist you as you prepare the boat for shipping.

Before your boat is shipped by a transport company, you will want to take every precaution that your boat is ready for the move. If you are not totally confident in how to do this, you can always request the help of a boat yard. If you fail to properly prepare your boat for shipping, the company that is shipping it will not be responsible for any damage done during the shipment.

Be sure that you take the time to stow all loose gear. Anything that you store at the bottom of the boat must be secure, as you will be the only one who is responsible for damage caused by loose gear. Always lock the cabin, and be sure that you are the one who keeps the key.

Remember that your boat can't be shipped if it still has fuel or water in its tank. You will have to drain any remaining fuel until there is less than a quarter of a tank left. If you are shipping your boat during the winter months, make sure that you drain all the water that is in your boat's water systems, pumps, air conditioners, etc.

You are responsible for removing your boat's canvas cover. This is because there is always a good chance that it will fly off while your boat is being shipped. If your boat has a cradle attached to it, make sure that there are not any loose bolts. Loose bolts can easily cause your boat's cradle to break, thus causing a great deal of damage. Do not forget that the shipping company is not liable for damage to your boat if you have not taken all of the steps necessary to properly protect it.

As you are preparing your boat for its shipping, you must make sure that all of its accessories are removed and properly stored. Some of these include electronics, radar, propellers, flag masts, and lights. Simply remove them from the boat, and store them below. Remember to make sure that they are secure while in storage.

You should be advised that hatches are sometimes a particularly difficult thing to deal with. You should always make sure that you have tied or taped all hatches from the outside of the boat. The company that is shipping your boat will not be held responsible for any damage caused by the hatches blowing off during the shipping process. If your boat's hatches have had problems with leaks in the past, do what you can to make sure that they are adequately sealed. Again, if these hatches are not properly sealed, you are the only one who will be held responsible.

If you happen to be shipping a power boat, keep in mind that it is absolutely necessary to remove all propellers, flag masts, and lights. Also, be sure that you take the time to remove all of your boat's Plexiglas.

Boat shipping can be a stressful experience if it is not done properly. It can also be a more expensive experience than it needs to be if you do not do a sufficient amount of research before choosing your shipping company. As with the shipment of all vehicles, though, shipping a boat is made easier when you take the time to prepare the boat for the journey. There are a number of things you can do to ensure your boat's safe arrival at its destination. If all necessary precautions are made, having a trusted company ship your boat can be a relatively hassle-free experience.

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