How To Properly Ship A Boat

It would be best to contact a certified boat hauler to professionally ship your boat.  If you are using a professional van line, they may be able to load the boat on the van if it falls within the size constraints.  Otherwise, the vessel will have to go with a boat hauler.  The hauler can provide you with a quote on what the cost will be and how to best ship your boat.  To receive an accurate quote provide the year, make and model along with accurate dimensions of your watercraft.

Accurate Boat Measurements –
Over All Length (OAL) – This is the length of the vessel including the trailer.
Over All Width (OAW) – This is the beam of the vessel or the width of the trailer.      
Over All Height (OAH) – Including the mast if it applies to your vessel.

Based on the size of your boat, permits may be required.  This varies state to state.

General Guideline in preparing your Power Boat for shipping - your local marina can assist you with preparations. 

• Secure items on your boat as if you were about to sail into the worst weather ever.  Make certain that all loose items in your vessel such as plates, galley utensils, personal items or other non-secured items have been secured or removed from the vessel.
• Secure décor such as tops, curtains and seat cushions.
• All personal belongings should be removed from the boat before transport including cash, valuables, clothing, sporting goods or any other materials that are not part of the vessel.
• Hatches latched and taped closed. Cabin doors need to be secured the same way.
• Canvas tops and seat cushions need to be removed and stowed below during your boat transport. 
• Empty all fuel and water from the vessel.
• Disconnect all battery cables.
• Remove any device or fixture that extends beyond the full of the vessel such as antennas, radar, compasses or depth sounders.  These devises should be secured inside the vessel for shipping.
• Remove the plug from the craft.
• You will need to store and secure plastic and plexiglass windshields below.  Boats are built to go forward, so if the boat is loaded backwards for transport the wind can blow out windshields and wind screens.
• Winterize the boat if moving to or from a cold climate – winterize the engine, toilets, the water systems or any other weather sensitive device on the vessel.

Shrink wrap is an excellent way to protect your boat during transport. However, a poor shrink wrap may tear due to the high winds generated by road travel. In most cases, if the vessel suffers damage from the shrink wrap such as beating, chaffing and scratching, it will not be covered by the carrier.

General Guideline in preparing your Sail Boat for shipping - your local marina can assist you with preparations. In addition to the preparation instructions for power boats above, you will need to do the following. 

• With sailboats remove all standing rigging, lights, spreaders, wind indicators and all of the types or mast rigging prior to transport.  You assume all liability for damage, such as scratches or abrasions that may occur on the mast, rigging or lights if left on during transport.
• Cradle requirements will need to be known.
• Arrangements need to be made with marina at origin and destination to remove boat from cradle.