Choosing a Professional Boat Transporter

The responsibility of preparing your Boat for Transport is ultimately yours. After all, it is your boat and you need to pay attention to the details to assure safe and sound travel. The Marina where the boat is hauled will assist in the preparation if consulted, but it will still be up to the transporter to check for details. This a major reason why hiring a reputable Boat Transport Professional is so important. Your driver will not only be responsible for moving your vessel, but making sure it is properly prepared for transport. Working directly with the marina responsible for hauling your boat and the transporter, and in turn the driver working directly with the marina ensures your wishes are handled in a organized manner.

An experienced Boat Transport Company is valuable.

Professional, reputable Boat Transport Companies must be licensed in the state they operate in. They must also have well maintained and up to date equipment. In their employ they have well trained drivers ready to accommodate any move. Boat Haulers are experienced in all types of boats and the particulars of each type. Transport Companies must be familiar if not outright experts at loading and moving Powerboats, Sailboats and Yachts as well as boats on their own trailers.

Experienced, dedicated Boat Transporters are expected to:

1. Refuse a load deemed to be unsafe for any reason and report their findings to the company manager who in turn will communicate any issues to you. They will also supervise any work done to make your boat safe for transport.
2. Load your boat in a safe manner ensuring that it is road ready.  This is very important as half the work involved in Transporting Boats is readying the boat for transport, getting it loaded properly.

3. An innate understanding that larger and wider boats, as yachts need have specific requirements when being made ready for Transporting. For example, when shipping a yacht, be sure to ask for the proper escorts and high poles in those states requiring them.
4. The boat trailer chosen for the move is of the correct weight load and of proper design to ensure loading the boat properly and safely.
5. Every potential driver must have a check list to carefully go over before ever departing from where the boat was moored.

The more you are willing to work with the Boat Transport Company for safe passage of your boat the smoother the transition will be. Improper preparation of your boat is not the responsibility of the company, but yours. Equipment used can be prone to break down and unfortunately it does. Some of the things your driver will be aware of and constantly keeping track of are:

1. Straps and chains coming loose.
2. Items on your boat that may become loose and may need  securing.
3. Equipment maintenance, tires, brakes etc.

4. Road conditions, weather and traffic. Strong winds, major rain events, earthquakes and other known “Acts of God” are not considered to be the responsibility of the company. Unexpected road repair or construction. Of course if you try to plan ahead you can discuss these situations with the Boat Transport Company and be willing to accept delays for the safety of the driver and your boat. 

What to expect when hiring a Boat Transport Company  

Your first conversation will of coarse be if the transporter can fit you in the schedule. Here is where alot of customers go wrong. The schedule should not be the most important thing to consider! Finding a Boat Transport Company that is familiar with your boat, and experienced in the route and logistics of your particular move is of the most importance. Here is just another example of why it is usually best to work directly with the boat hauling company. Boat Transport Brokers will take and promise you anything to get the work. Then their job begins to find someone that is willing to take the load. The importance of finding a qualified company is of secondary importance. They just want to find somebody that will except it! Of coarse scheduling is of some importance, it behoves you to first find a company that is qualified, and work with their schedule. Chances are you will be accommodated as soon as possible.

Once you have found a Boat Hauling Company that you feel comfortable with and are satisfied will meet your expectations a contract will be drawn up. The contract will outline all the details of your boat and where it is picked up at and delivered. It will also outline the dimensions of your boat. Be accurate here as the accuracy of the quote will depend on it. It will also outline the schedule. The costs involved will also be outlined and a schedule of payments made. Boat Transport Companies usually require a deposit to be made. The reason for this is to ensure you are serious, and to secure booking and their schedule. The deposit is to finalize the contract and to get you in the schedule.

The day the truck arrives! Up till now you have been doing all the preparation that you are responsible for. Boat Transport Pros has some terrific Boat Preparation Guides for your use. Of coarse it is always best to communicate with your Boat Transporter for details and questions you may have. You may find these guides at Boat Transport, Sailboat Transport, Yacht Transport, Powerboat Transport and International Boat Transport. The truck driver will inspect the boat and work with the marina to get the boat loaded. Before loading the boat it will be inspected for any damage that may have happened prior to his arrival. Notes will be taken and you will be aware of any damage that is noted. If the boat dimensions are in question or unsure of the driver will them measure the boat if it is oversize. This for the purpose of ordering permits. Permits are based on the overall size of the boat after it is loaded. After the boat is loaded, permits in hand you boat will then begin its journey. Most of the time you will get a phone call from either the driver or transport company office that your boat is on its way.

En route the boat will be inspected to ensure it is traveling well. Any unexpected encounters such as weather, road construction, traffic will effect the delivery time. You should be updated to any of these accordance's that will effect the schedule.

Delivery day, you boat is home! Most of the time you will be called during transit of your boat and will be aware of its arrival time. When the boat transporter gets there he will work with the marina for a lift schedule. The driver will of course notify the marina know in advance of its arrival time. Prior to unloading the boat hauler will do another inspection, either in your presence or with the yard personnel. This is to ensure that no damage has occurred to your vessel during the transport.

The question of tips is often thought about. Our thoughts on this is if you are satisfied with the job done, a tip is in order. We are talking about a token amount to cover a good dinner here. It goes along way in saying thank you for a job well done, I am happy you made the effort to Transport my Boat in a safe manner!

252 480 6600

1 877 297 3934