Complete Guide to Boat Hauling Services

The Benefits of Boat Hauling Services

Your boat is an expensive piece of equipment, and it’s important to protect it as you move it from one place to another. Turning to boat moving companies can help you make sure that your boat arrives in pristine condition—while letting you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with hiring professionals. These are some of the main advantages of choosing boat hauling services for all of your boating needs:

• The shipping company will provide all of the necessary moving equipment
• Hiring professionals can ultimately be cheaper than renting hauling equipment yourself
• Boat haulers have years of experience and know how to handle boats of all kinds in a wide variety of situations
• The heavy equipment transport company will have experts who understand the rules and regulations of the area to make sure all of the permits and licenses are in place

All in all, you get to sit back and relax while your boat is handled carefully and brought where you need it.

How Much Does Hauling a Boat Cost?

The exact price of moving a boat will depend on a wide variety of factors, which is why it could cost you anywhere from $150 to $1,000. Some of the variables that can affect how much it costs to haul a boat include:

• Distance. How far you need to move your boat will greatly affect your quote. It’s much cheaper to haul a boat locally than it is to move it internationally. A domestic haul would let your boat stay on a trailer the entire length of the journey. An international transport might involve putting the trailer on a ferry, strapping it on a flat rack, or loading it onto the water.
• Boat size. It’s usually cheaper to move a small boat that fits in standard-sized trailers and containers. A large or unusually shaped boat might cost more to ship because the company would have to find a way to contain it.
• Pickup and drop off locations. It’s usually cheaper to ship to or pick up from somewhere off of a main road. A remote drop off spot might lead to higher costs because it would take the team more time to access the location.
• Time of year. It’s usually cheaper to ship a boat when the weather is nice, whereas snowy and icy conditions might add a few costs for snow tires and other necessary equipment.
• Equipment. If you already own a boat trailer, your shipping costs might be lower.

The best way to determine how much boat hauling might cost you is to get a quote from a professional.

Determining What Type of Boat Hauling Services You Need

Depending on where you’re going and what kind of boat you have, you might need different boat hauling services, such as:

• Overland. If you are moving a boat domestically and it’s a standard size (under 12 feet wide and no higher than 13’6”), this is the best and most affordable way to haul your boat.
• Over water. For larger boats—like yachts—or international moves, your boat might be captained and sailed over the body of water or added to a freight shipping boat. The hauling company would organize the crew to sail your boat or the contract to reserve space on a ship. Usually the company will have a relationship with shipping carriers to utilize if a customer needs over water transport.

How to Measure Your Boat

To get an accurate quote and determine what type of hauling you’re eligible for, you need to know the exact measurements of your boat. The manufacturer will likely provide the numbers, but it’s smart to double check the measurements to make sure nothing goes wrong and that you have the right equipment to safely move your boat. The measurements of a standard boat are around 40’ long, 7’10” high, and 7’8” wide.

Here are the parts of the boat to measure to make sure you know exactly what size your boat is:

• 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 point of the boat (not including removable masts) to the bottom of the keel.
• Beam. The beam is just the overall width of the boat, so measure from the two widest points.

How to Prepare Your Boat to Ship

Ready to move your boat? After you’ve arranged everything with your boat hauling company, you’ll want to have your boat ready for the big moving day. Here’s what you’re going to want to have prepared before the hauling crew arrives:

• Documents. If you’re shipping your boat internationally or selling it, you’ll want to have all the paperwork ready and organized in advance. Consider having them in a folder ready to go when your hauling crew arrives.
• Cleaning. Cleaning your boat before it’s moved is a good idea for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it’s a great chance to go through the boat from top to bottom and remove anything that you don’t want getting lost in transit, such as speakers, food, extra clothing, and other personal belongings. A deep clean also gives you an opportunity to tie down anything that might shift during transport, like life jackets. You might even consider shrink wrapping your boat to protect anything that might move around.
• Liquids. Before your boat is moved, you’ll want to empty the fuel tanks, the bilge, and the refuse stores. You’ll also want to disconnect the fuel tanks. Taking care of all of these liquids can lighten your boat for easier transportation and reduce the risk of mid-travel leaks.
• Sails. If you’re hauling a sailboat, you’ll want to remove all the winches and rigging from the mast.
• Photos. To help protect your boat and your best interest, take photos of your boat before it’s moved. That way if something goes wrong—which is unlikely to happen—you’ll have proof of your boat’s original condition.