1. Introduction
While owning and maintaining a sailboat is tough, transporting it is even harder. Before you know it, you’re stranded on an island of websites, trying to SOS your way out of the conundrum.If you’re like most sailboat owners, your sailboat isn’t just a floating vessel of luxurious travel to you. It’s much more than that. So, when preparing to transport your baby from one marina to another or one coast to another, why wouldn’t you spend time making sure you’ve got the right boat shipping company under your belt?At uShip, we advise you to do just that. We’ll help you understand the considerations to keep in mind for selecting the right shipping company for your precious sailboat!
2. Factors to Consider
When it comes to shipping boats, take the following factors into account while choosing your favored transport partner:
- Experience: While every company can specialize in transporting vehicles like cars, boats are another matter. Due to their scarcity and luxurious profile that requires extra care, the number of companies offering boat shipping services is considerably less.
This is a good thing. It eliminates unserious players. But experience is vital, usually the number of years spent in the industry. It will generate faith and trust in you toward a prospective shipper.
- Reputation: Shipping depends on attention to detail. A smooth shipping experience is like a smooth sailing experience. There are no quick turns, just gradual turns. When evaluating a company, watch out for its reputation. Has it caused accidents in the past? Have the promises translated into services?
- Insurance Coverage: Insuring your sailboat when it sits in the marina is one thing. The boat is under your responsibility, and you’re repaid for most kinds of damages that can occur.
But shipping damage is entirely different, as you charge a third party for its care and handling. Thus, insuring the sailboat when it’s being shipped is vital to ensure its safety.
- Equipment: Depending on its size and dimensions, your boat will require a semi-truck, a trailer or a full truck to transport it to your preferred destination. A crane and other equipment may also be required to pull it out of the marina where it is currently parked.
Thus, you must ensure that the boat transport company provides these services apart from the basic shipping services.
- Method of Transportation: There are several ways of transporting your boat to your desired destination. You can use Roll-on/Roll-of (Ro-Ro) shipping, Lift-on/Lift-off (Lo-Lo) method, Float-on/Float-off technique, flat-track equipment, open or closed trailers or container shipping services.
Not all companies will provide every shipping service. Thus, the method of transportation is also a crucial consideration when shipping your boat.
- Pricing: Another factor that should impact your choice of a boat shipping company is its service price. No doubt your sailboat is precious to you. However, boat shipping companies might try to exploit your feelings for egregious quotes.
Compare the quotes in the competitive landscape of boat shippers, and only then make a decision. Transporting boats via road can cost around $10,000 to $12,000. Shipping them via other ocean transport can cost around $2,500 to $3,000.
- Customer Reviews: Customer reviews are a good indicator of trust, faith and goodwill in the shipping industry. Happy customers will never lie about their experience. They will want to give back to a company that has shipped to their desired destination without a scratch.
Measure different companies against these factors, and you will have an easier time choosing the best boat shipping company for your sailboat.
3. Researching Transport Companies
While vehicle shipping companies have proliferated due to increased demands, the segment to which boat shipping companies cater is niche. Research in this area requires precision and caution.
It is not advisable to rely solely on online research. Google is a signpost and could be the first step you take to survey the boat shipping industry. However, you must also look at what boat sellers are saying. Often, their customers are remotely situated. They can thus help you connect with the best shipping companies.
Further, boat fairs are also great sources of gathering information about shipping companies. Florida and Miami boat shows bring about a flock of companies that offer subsidiary services. Such shows can also expose you to a world of boat shippers. You can also rely on referrals from people who have moved their boats using shipping services.
4. Checking Credentials and Licenses
Licensing and credentials are also very important when it comes to boat shipping. State-sanctioned recognition of capacity and equipment is as important as consumer confidence and reputation. Use of unlicensed shipping companies may also lead you to lose your insurance claim in case of damage during the shipping.Thus, choose only those licensed companies to provide proper boat shipping services. Don’t go for services that boats experience without authorization.
5. Assessing Experience and Expertise
Sailboat transport companies deal with niche clientele. It is easy to get lost among a sea of shipping companies. Thankfully, experience, testimony and expertise, through a range of services, tell us about the competence of different boat shipping companies.
Experience is vital in separating those companies that can navigate turbulent seas and safely deliver your boat to its desired destination. Check for past reviews and speak with the shipping company representatives.
As a sailor yourself, you’ll be able to tell who knows their portside from their starboard and who doesn’t. Only get into business with those who know at least as much about the boat as you.
6. Reviewing Insurance Coverage
Insurance is vital to protect your boat from accidental damage. Transport brings about several perils, each shipping method having its risks. The first step is to choose the most risk-averse method.
The second is to ensure that the shipping service is covered by proper insurance. Without insurance, you’ll be forced to bear all the damage yourself without anyone to turn to.
Insurance that indemnifies you in all circumstances is thus very important for your peace of mind and financial security.
7. Understanding Pricing and Quotes
Finding a boat shipping company online is easy. You must look for one in your state and near your city. With simple details like your boat’s location and destination, you can generate several quotes from different shipping companies.
How should you differentiate from these companies? As we have seen, the average cost of shipping boats and yachts by road is $10,000, whereas shipping them via water bodies requires around $2,500. The following factors further affect the price:
- Dimensions of the Boat: The dimensions of your sailboat are important in estimating the shipping cost. They will determine the weight to be hauled off and tell the shipper what equipment they need.
- Shipping Method: The shipping method is the next most important factor in determining the cost of shipping your boat. Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo and Flo-Flo shipping will likely cost less than road transport or expedited services. However, the first three shipping methods are only available on coasts or places with harbors and marinas.
- Journey Distance: The distance between where your boat is parked and where it needs to reach also affects the shipping price. The fuel costs will be directly proportional to the shipping distance. They will be transferred directly to you as the customer.
- Additional Services: Licensing and insurance fees, tracking costs, and any other special services will increase the cost of transportation.
Thus, you must prioritize the required factors while shipping your boat to your desired destination. Evaluate each quote in light of these factors and notice which services each quote covers.
8. Reading Customer Reviews
Testimonials and experience of a boat shipping company speak a lot about its reputation and shipping processes. While companies may change with time and improve their processes, companies with a clean history are inherently more desirable.
After all, your boat shipping experience isn’t an opportunity for companies to show their change in business operations. The number one priority is a smooth shipping experience for your boat. Past customers are unlikely to lie about their experience. This is doubly true if their experience was not up to a company’s promised standard.
Thus, customer reviews are valuable clues on the map of boat shippers that will guide you to the treasure you seek – a trustworthy shopping partner.
9. Contacting and Consulting Companies
Remote conversations and online surveys work with car transportation. However, the boat transport segment is different. You’ll need to engage directly with the boat shipping companies.
The human touch is necessary. It will ensure that the shipping company understands your sailboat’s unique requirements and let you know how professional and knowledgeable the company is.
You don’t want to do business with companies just starting, experimenting with new ways of shipping with your beloved boat.
Contacting and consulting companies will show serious intent and probe capacity in return. It is the best way to get a positive shipping price quote. It also opens a gateway to bargaining with the shipper.
10. Requesting References
Strong references always back a good shipping company. Make sure your prospective shipping partner is one of them. Be unabashed. Ask for past references and critically speak with the reviewers.
Past customers will tell you about the sneaky promises companies may try to weasel out of. They may also tell you who to speak with in an organization to receive more favorable terms. They might also advise you on the shipping companies they approached and why they chose this one.
References will guide you through the turbulent waters of boat shipping as your predecessors on the quest for safe transportation. Trust their understanding and keep faith in your ability to make an informed decision.
11. Conclusion
We have seen how boat transport is a result of complex factors. The dimensions of your sailboat are as important as the shipping method you choose. The distance of transportation is also a consideration as important as the shipper’s past experiences.
However, if you follow the abovementioned tips, you and your boat can enjoy a smooth transport operation. Ensure you provide accurate information about your boat’s condition, location, and destination.
Collect multiple quotes and examine the differences. Why does one company provide a cheaper service than the other? Where are they saving money within the process? Is the trade-off acceptable to you? Which method of shipping best suits your boat?
Armed with these questions, you can confidently sail on and choose the best shipping partner to transport your boat anywhere!