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Boating 101 – How To Deliver Your Boat

Ways to transport you boat

If you’re lucky enough to own a boat there may come a point when you want to move her to a new location. If this is the case, you will need to consider hiring a boat delivery service. So make sure transport goes smooth sailing by following this simple guide!

There are two main options to consider when transporting a boat:

Using a skipper who will navigate your bought themselves. In this scenario, your boat will use effectively transport itself, helped by a professional skipper who will use existing waterways . Using a delivery skipper may be the {most convenient|best|most suitable} option if retrieving your boat internationally, over a very long distance. However, this option is often the more costly of the two and will likely take longer than transporting the boat over land.

Boat transport company. Boat transporters have the right tools to move boats of all sizes with specialised equipment and moving vehicles. Where roads are available (i.e. on domestic/European moves) this is likely to be the cheapest and easiest option.

How to find the right Boat Transporter for you

Firstly, you will need to select a boat transport company . These businesses range from larger, commercial boat transporters to small family-run businesses, so prices vary significantly. Although you will want to get a good selection of quotes from boat transporters, you will need to think of experience and quality in addition to the price charged. This will require a little research on your part. Choosing a cheap courier is not always a smart choice, especially with expensive items like a boat.

Ensure your boat transporter has adequate experience and insurance to cover the cost of the boat and all eventualities. Always ask to see the insurance policy, and never accept “personal” insurance.

Remember to discuss all aspects of the transportation with the selected company. This includes pickup times, routes, drop-off times and whether cranes will be required at either end. You do not want your boat to be transported at night if you can help it, so organise transportation for during the day, where it can be inspected upon arrival.

Preparation

Ensure that your boat is ready for transport before your transporter arrives. This may take the best part of a day to prepare. If you boat needs to be dissembled, then it would be wise to take photographs to make reassembly less stressful.

Here’s a quick checklist of things to prepare prior to transport:

Make sure all your personal property is taken off and other loose articles are removed.

Lock all the doors, cupboards and hatches – if they cannot be locked, tie and tape them shut.

When the boat is being transported a relatively long distance, you should double check that exterior hatches are sealed if they are not waterproof.

Drain all fuel and water tanks, and disconnect batteries.

All water systems, such as air conditioning, pumps etc. should be drained during winter months to avoid damage.

Many boats will have external equipment, especially for navigational purposes – these need to be removed before the boat is transported.

Last but not least, record all instances of damage and general wear of your boat before the day of the move. Take photographs of the boat from all angles, so should any damage occur during transport, it can easily be proven that it occurred during transportation. Most boat companies make pre-transportation surveying standard procedure, but you will still want to have them sign your written record of the boat’s condition.

After boat moving service

Inspect the boat carefully, as soon as possible, in order to identify any damage. Should any damage have occurred, contact your boat transporter immediately to avoid any complications.

By: Antonino Bruzzsa

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Antonino Bruzzsa is a freelance writer creating quality content for websites. His work includes articles about how to find good boat transport companies or a cheap courier to deliver your boat for you.

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