Top 5 Boat Transport Companies of 2023

Are you moving to a new location and looking for a way to move your boat to your new destination? Or you just acquired one and needed to be shipped to your preferred place? Hiring a reliable shipping company is the best option to transport a boat without having issues.

Boat transportation cost is determined by the distance. On average, it costs about $600 – $1,200 for longer ships and $150 – $350 for shorter-distance shipping.

Regardless of the destination, you are shipping to (local or international), it should get there safely. The size of your boat, as well as the distance it will travel determines the cost of shipping it.

Certain factors are considered in boat shipping rates: 

• The current and physical location of the boat and the need to lift it from the water requires a cradle built.
• The total dimensions of the vessel or yacht with the help of a cradle or trailer.
• The required shipping method, i.e. water-to-water service or roll-on-roll-off/lift on a lift.
• Final destination location.

We made a chart to provide you with an estimate of the cost to ship your boat.

These rough estimates show that you should prepare about $2,250 to move a 9’ boat 1000 miles and about $3,250 for a 12’ boat the same distance.

1. Uship
2. We Will Transport It
3. Boat Movers
4. Boat Express ​
5. Joule Yacht Transport

Now that you have understood what it means for a company to be reliable, we have taken our time to prepare a list of some best boat shipping companies.

You can get the data from the FMCSA. We hope this list guides you on your quest to hire reliable boat transport companies.

It is important to carefully vet all the shipping companies that come your way while choosing the best for your shipment. The best company that will provide quality service at a reasonable cost should be figured out after your proper vetting.

Remember, you can move your boat or yacht to the desired destination, either by land, road, or sea. Boat shipping companies offer transport services to ship boats from one location to another. Each shipping companies have its method of delivering satisfactory service.

Some of these shipping companies may meet up with the standard requirement, while others may be struggling to meet up with the industry standard.

Consider the tips discussed below to find the right shipping company for your boat and yacht shipping.

How Legitimate is the Company? Check its License Status

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has reported an increase in fraudulent activities being perpetrated by small online-based auto transport brokerage firms.

Both auto transport brokers and vehicle transport companies are required by law to register with and be authorized by the FMCSA.

The license of any company you are looking to hire can be verified using the USDOT number of the company on the Department of Transportation FMCSA Licensing and Insurance webpage. You can also confirm if the company is a member of any of the organizations listed below:

• AHAA (Auto Haulers of America Association)
• NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies)
• State transportation authorities
• The auto transporters section of the American Trucking Association

Although being a member of a professional organization doesn’t guarantee that a company is offering quality service, however, most of these professional organizations mandate for members to follow quality practices, laid down rules, and as well as guidelines.

How reliable is the Company?

The ability of your prospective boat transport company to deliver based on the agreement is very important. You want to avoid being trapped in the process before your watercraft is delivered to you. Go through the work history of the shipping companies.

Make sure you chose a company with consistency in service delivery for many years. Read other reviews from previous customers and confirm that you are with the right company for your job before you engage them with your needs.

How secure is your Boat? Check if the Company is insured

You can’t afford to take any risk considering how valuable the property to be shipped is to you. Research and determine the type of insurance the company has in place. There might be an accident or damage on the move. You have to prepare for such an occurrence.

It is better to be fully ready and covered for any unexpected event. The insurance provided by the company should be enough to handle any damages that might occur during the process. Make sure you find out the amount of insurance provided.

When working with a boat transport company, it is important to take note of the pick-up and delivery date. Any company that doesn’t keep to their word on these arrangements with previous customers should be avoided.

1. Pricing, Pricing, Pricing

Most people can’t wait to see what the prices look like. Most people generally look for less expensive and affordable services. In this wise, getting a suitable shipping quote should be prioritized.

If the shipping company offers you an acceptable quote for the service, it should be checked if it would be perfect for your task.

Contact the company to get the quote and have an idea of how the service and the cost before you run out of time.

2. Estimated Transport Rates

Below are the questions you should ask after you might have evaluated your needs and get a shipping quote from a shipping company:

• Is there a guarantee on the price?
• Are the fees and insurance covered in the quote?
• What are the factors that could cause an increase in price?
• Who is accepting the payment, and what are the acceptable payment methods?

3. Compare Boat Shipping Quotes

You need to prepare your boat before you can transport it. To receive an accurate shipping quote, you will need to provide some info about your shipment. A critical factor of note for an accurate quote is to know the actual size of the boat.

The length, beam, and height of the boat must be measured appropriately to get an accurate quote. You will be asked by boat transport companies to remove Snap-On canvas covers from your boat and store them away because it can come off or get damaged at any time while in transit.

You generally want a shipping company that:

1. Has tracking services:

You are certainly looking to track your boat without the help of a shipping company. Confirm the reliability of any shipping company’s tracking device before you decide to go with them.

It would be advantageous to hire the service of a shipping company that has satellite tracking services due to the rise in technology.  However, many companies have a dedicated system that helps to track a shipment.

2. Communicates clearly:

The steps required in shipping a boat are many. There must be clear and efficient communication between you and the shipping company, so you can understand the process.

3. Good reviews:

Research any shipping company you are looking to hire. Generally, one of the best ways to determine the reliability of a shipping company is by reading online reviews.

Just be careful as customer’s words sometimes cannot be relied on. There are doctored online reviews — search online review sites for further information about any company of interest.

4. Area of operation:

A reliable shipping company will transport your boat to the specified destination comfortably. This will show that the shipping company is not difficult to be reached and they will work based on the information you supplied.

It also implies that your watercraft will get to its destination without delay. Make sure your shipper offers international shipping if you are shipping to another country.

5. Has shown its financial growth:

Its financial stability can also determine the reliability of a company. Research the company’s financial reports to see if it indicates growth or not. Some companies become a leader in the shipping industry just after few years of operation. A stable and reliable company will not involve itself in any shady deals.

When should I expect to be notified of the pickup of my boat?

A pick-up order containing the name of the trucking company that will pick up your boat will be sent to you by the shipping company. The harbor, date, and time will also be communicated to you.

What preparation should I make for my boat before pickup?

Make sure you prepare your boat very well, securing everything on it. Kindly check our article on how to prepare your boat for shipping for more information.

What is the required fuel level?

Make sure your fuel tank contains fuel but not to be filled up. Boat shippers do not allow fuel in jerry cans on the voyage. There is a need for the boat to be as light as possible while loading.

Can you help me find a captain to load or unload my boat?

No, kindly arrange for this personally if you are shipping your boat to ship side across the water.

What is the transit duration, and how will I get notified of my boat’s arrival?

The shipping company will notify you of your boat’s arrival a few days in advance and will provide you with the necessary shipping documents required for clearing your boat at the destination port if not door-to-door delivery.

Is there a hidden cost not covered by the freight for boat shipping?

The shipping of your boat is included in the rate given to you by the boat shipping company. However, you may be charged additional port fees and/or taxes at the destination port for customs. Kindly contact your customs agent for further information on this.

How much does it cost to ship a boat?

The actors that determine the shipping cost of a boat include the size and the distance to be traveled. Pricing is between $1 up and not more than $3 per mile.

Shipping companies will provide you with instant shipping quotes after you supply accurate information. You can as well get an online or over-the-phone shipping quote if you have your boat’s accurate measurement.

How are boats being shipped?

Yachts can be transported as deck cargo. They are loaded straight from the water or shore. Ship or shore cranes in the cradle are used to load yachts either provided by the owner or carrier. The rigging of conventional deck cargo is left untouched while shipping.

What is the duration of delivery of boats?

Immediately you receive the transport information, your package will arrive within three to five business days. Companies are always working to deliver your order as soon as possible.

How about the boat’s warranty?

There is a one-year limited warranty that comes with all boat earphones as well as headphones. Before you file a complaint about the warranty claim, ensure you have a bill of product or invoice of the product. This is one of the reasons to have professionals ship your boat.

Container or RORO, which should I use to ship my boat?

One of the popular confusion we face every day is the dilemma of whether to pack boats in containers or ship boats RORO. What’s the right method, and what is the cost-effective option? We have to put all the factors into consideration and not just the loading and shipping aspects of the process.

Either shipping method gives the best results in terms of cost and damage-free, but there are benefits and limitations based on the size of the boat as well as where it is loaded, whether a trailer or not.

What are the different boat transportation types?

There are three common types of boat transportation. They are:

Overland: This boat transportation means shipping a boat on land. Overland transportation companies need a trailer for the customer’s boat, although some can customize trailers and cradles if the customers do not have any. Overland transportation may cost you fees for shipping cargo to another state and overseas as necessary.

Oversees: This is commonly used for overseas shipping. The shippers load the customer’s boat onto a ship to transport it safely for international boat transportation. If the customer requires their boat shipped over a short distance, some companies have captains for hire and can transport the customer’s boat from one harbor to another.

Air shipping: There are shipping companies that have access to cargo planes for shipping boats. Shipping by land or sea is usually more efficient (and even cost-effective), but if you have smaller boats or boat parts, such as masts for sailboats and yachts, using a cargo plane might be the best option.

Cost, reliability, and your personal needs are the major things to consider when deciding on which shipping company to hire. In an actual sense, the cost of service will be determined by your shipping needs.

The companies discussed in this guide are vetted thoroughly by our partners, and they also work with other experts to provide consumers with valuable information to help them make the right decisions.  Have you used any of them before? Share your experience in the comment box!