Got a boat? Moving a boat can be quite a task, right? It’s not just about packing up your house and hitting the road. Depending on your boat’s size and where you’re headed, the whole process of moving a boat can get a bit tricky and pricey. Boat transport costs can vary greatly, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Consider using a boat transporting service to make the process easier. A reliable boat transportation company can handle the logistics for you. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Three Ways to Move Your Boat: Moving Boat Options
When moving your boat, you have three main options: do it yourself, hire a delivery captain, or use a professional boat moving service. If you’re not moving too far and have a trailer, towing it yourself might seem like the easiest choice. But that’s not always the case.
Moving It Yourself
Towing your boat yourself can be the most straightforward and budget-friendly option—if your boat isn’t too large. Boats wider than 8 feet 6 inches need a permit to be on public roads. For boats over 12 feet wide, you’ll need a pilot car, and for those over 14 feet wide, you’ll need two—one in front and one behind.
Height matters, too. If your boat exceeds 14 feet when loaded on the trailer, you might have to take detours to avoid low bridges and overhead utilities. Boats taller than 16 feet often need a height pole escort to check the route first. If the height pole hits anything, your permit might get denied.
Don’t have a trailer? Here you can find some, for larger boats needing special permits and pilot cars, buying a trailer isn’t practical. It’s often simpler and less stressful to let a professional boat moving service handle the logistics. This way, you can avoid the hassle of permits and route planning and ensure your boat arrives safely at its destination.
Hiring a Delivery Captain
Hiring a delivery captain might be the way to go. If there’s a navigable water route, like moving from Miami to Key West, a professional captain can pilot your boat to its new location without ever taking it out of the water. You can find reputable captains through yacht brokerages or by asking around at your marina. Just ensure they have a USCG licence and sufficient insurance coverage.
However, be prepared for the costs. Hiring a captain isn’t cheap. You’re looking at around $350 per day for the captain and $175 per day for each crew member, with at least one crew member required.
Additionally, there’s a daily food allowance of about $30 per person, bringing the base cost to $585 per day. You’ll also need to cover the transportation expenses for the captain and crew to get to your boat and return home, plus fuel, permits, port fees, and any other related costs.
While the price can add up quickly, hiring a delivery captain offers the convenience of professional handling and keeps your boat in its natural habitat—the water. If you want to avoid the hassle of trailering and land logistics, this option could be worth the investment.
Using a Professional Boat Moving Service
The third option for moving your boat is to hire a professional boat moving service. Finding a reliable boat mover can be done through online platforms like uShip, by doing some research on different companies, or by getting recommendations from your marina.
On average, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $3.50 per mile for transporting a typical boat. The exact cost will depend on various factors such as the size and type of your boat, the pickup and delivery locations, the route, the distance travelled, and whether the boat is on its trailer.
Additionally, the direction you’re heading can affect the price; moving east usually costs about $1 more per mile than heading west.
Professional boat movers can handle both domestic and international shipments. If you’re not keen on hiring a delivery captain for an international move, you can opt for transportation by shipping vessel.
The most common method is roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO), where your boat stays on its trailer for the entire journey. Alternatively, you can ship it in an enclosed container or on a flat rack, using a custom-made cradle.
Be aware that shipping internationally can be quite expensive. For large yachts, the cost can easily exceed $100,000. While this option might be pricier, it offers peace of mind knowing that your boat is in expert hands and will arrive safely at its new home.
How to Measure Your Boat
Getting accurate measurements of your boat is crucial for planning a move. The size affects shipping costs and permits, so knowing the exact dimensions is essential. Don’t just rely on the specs in your boat’s manual—modifications can change the actual size.
Start by taking off any detachable parts. Measure the length from the tip of the bow to the centre of the stern. Don’t forget to include things like bow pulpits, swim platforms, motor brackets, and the length of the motors or outdrives in their raised position.
Next, measure the height from the bottom of the keel to the highest fixed point on the boat. If your boat is on a trailer, include the trailer in this measurement. Aim for a total height of 13 feet 6 inches or less to avoid needing a height pole escort. Even if your boat is under this height, remove radars, antennas, and other tall items to lower the risk of tipping during transport.
Finally, measure the width at the boat’s widest point, including the rub rail. If your boat’s width exceeds 8 feet 6 inches, you’ll need a permit for transportation. Boats wider than 12 feet typically require at least one pilot car. To minimise width and prevent damage, remove any items like grills.
Accurate measurements will ensure a smoother moving process, saving you from unexpected hassles and extra costs.
How to Prepare Your Boat
Moving a boat can be a big task, but with proper preparation, you can ensure your vessel arrives at its new location safely.
Step 1: Start With Photos and Clearing Out
Take pictures of your boat while it’s still in the water. This will help you document its condition before the move. Next, remove all your personal belongings, including food, clothes, and bedding. It’s crucial to take out anything that can catch fire, such as gas bottles, fuel cans, and flares.
Step 2: Clean and Document
Once your boat is out of the water, give it a thorough clean. Scrub off any growth from the bottom, as many places have checks for invasive species. Failing these checks can lead to costly delays. After cleaning, take more photos, including close-ups and full side views. This extra set of pictures will help you prove the boat’s condition after cleaning.
Step 3: Prepare for Travel
Unplug all wires from the batteries and empty the fuel tank. Make sure to empty all waste tanks as well. Close and lock all hatches securely. Remove items attached to the sides of the boat, such as barbecues, buoys, and anchors. It’s wise to take off any expensive gadgets and send them separately. Consider wrapping your boat in plastic to keep it clean and protected during the move.
Step 4: Final Check
These steps will help ensure your boat is ready to move safely. Double-check that you’ve completed each task. Remember, this advice works whether you’re moving the boat yourself or hiring experts to do it. With proper preparation, you can have peace of mind knowing your boat is ready for its journey.
Is It Worth It?
Moving a boat can be both expensive and time-consuming, even if you’re just preparing your boat and hiring someone to handle the transport. Sometimes, it might be simpler and more cost-effective to sell your boat before the move and purchase a new one once you’ve settled into your new location.
However, if you decide to go through with moving your boat, be prepared for it to significantly expand your moving to-do list. One way to alleviate some of the stress is to hire a professional moving company to handle the transport of your household belongings. This can free up your time and energy to focus on the boat.
With King Kong Trailers’ network of reliable movers, finding a reputable company for moving boats and making your move less stressful is easier than ever.