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Last Updated: Sep 20, 2023
Moving Feedback’s experts took their time to research the best boat transport companies in the country and have come up with much-needed pieces of information on all you should know before you embark on the task. Let’s dive into it!
BEST OVERALL
4.9
BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8
BEST PREMIUM SERVICES
4.7
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 moving company is the best option to transport a boat without having issues.
In this article
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:
We made a chart to provide you with an estimate of the cost to ship your boat.
| Boat size | Estimated price |
|---|---|
| Smaller than 9′ | $1.50 – $2.50 per mile |
| 9′ | $1.75 – $2.75 per mile |
| 10′ | $2 – $3 per mile |
| 11′ | $2.25 – $3.25 per mile |
| 12′ | $2.50 – $3.50 per mile |
| Greater than 12′ | $2.75 – $3.75 per mile |
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.
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| 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Best Overall | Best Customer Reviews | Best Premium Services | Most Affordable | Best For Local |
| 20% Seasonal Discount | 20% Seasonal Discount | 18% Flexibility Discount | 15% Student Discount | Not Disclosed |
| $2700-$6200 | $2850-$6350 | $2900-$6500 | $2200-$5400 | $2300-$5600 |
| Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote |
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.
BEST OVERALL
4.9
Customers appreciate that uShip accommodates more cars than the average vehicle shipping company.
With the company, you can easily get many quotes and assist you in screening providers who get bad histories.
The company’s greatest strength is its convenience. You don’t have to contact a hundred shipping companies to obtain ten shipping quotes or supply your personal information many times to go through several answers to a single question.
You just log on to the company’s website, supply your shipment details, and go through the results; very simple and straight.
This company is more than a regular car transporter. uShip is a marketplace for vehicle transporting. It helps customers to locate different types of carriers that will help them transport any of their items. uShip, unlike many other shipping companies on our list, is not a broker.
The marketplace will not handle the work of finding a shipper and scheduling shipping details for you. The only thing it will do for you is to post your shipping needs on its marketplace and fetch your carriers to start bidding for your job.
Some people think it is easier to use a broker than uShip. However, for people looking to ship on a slim budget, this shipping marketplace is the best option for you to make a comparison of price.
Although it sounds complicated, uShip is still a great option to use. All you need to do is supply your shipment details on the website, and you will get instant offers from different carriers. Booking can also be made immediately after you decide on a carrier.
BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8
This company specializes majorly in shipping boats of different shapes and sizes anywhere within the United States (including Alaska, Costa Rica, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii). Transporting a boat requires information such as full measurement of its dimensions (length, height, weight, and widths), pickup, and delivery locations.
We Will Transport It will determine the exact carrier, best routes, equipment, and other requirements for the shipping if it is to be done by land.
The company is known since 2009 for providing heavy-load transportation for customers. Their specialization is in transport services such as RV Transport, Auto Transport, Boat Transport, Motorcycle Transport, and so on.
The company has many licensed and insured partners, which allows them to provide different quotes to customers so they can choose the one that perfectly suits their needs and budget.
One of the appreciated perks of this company is that they don’t request advance payment for shipping services. However, the cost of transport is determined based on the weight and size of the carrier alongside the destination as well as distance.
They work with many insured and licensed auto transportation companies, which enables them to provide customers with many quotes so they can pick out the best option based on their shipping needs.
BEST PREMIUM SERVICES
4.7
This company is also known as Showroom Transport and has been in the boat shipping business since 1994. It provides services across the country.
The company is insured, licensed with the government, and bonded. Boatmovers.com provides consumers with a guide on how to prepare their boats for long-distance shipping.
How to check bearings, securing the shipment and removing any attachments on the boat are all included in the guide.
The company provides customers with a shipping quote after they might have supplied information like the distance, the routes, and the size of the boat. Boatmovers.com is ready to ship a boat on a trailer or provide a trailer for a boat that has no trailer.
Wave Runner, Jet Ski, trailers, and Sea-Doo are also part of what the company transports.
They provide transportation services to boats that are about 12ft wide at a very cheap cost. Boatmovers.com provides online guides to customers to get their boats prepared for long-distance shipping.
The guide offer tips on securing the boat, removing boat covers, checking bearings, and other considerations. The website has been providing boat shipping and haulage service since 1994.
It is a legally registered, insured, and bonded boat transportation company that is also an active member of BBB.
MOST AFFORDABLE
4.6
This is one of the biggest water transportation companies available in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It is very easy to get an instant shipping quote.
Boat Express only requires a short description of the consumer’s boat size and route, and then the company offers them an instant quote.
The shipping quotes can be requested either via the phone or online. The company also provides an online guide to the consumer on how to prepare boats for shipping.
The instruction is not only for the boat, but it also includes how to prepare sailboats and dinghies. Boat Express provides the consumer with custom cradles for their boats when required. Consumers can request cradles up to 80ft in length, which are made of steel or wood.
There is also the availability of a complete guide on measurement, which helps customers to determine the amount of space that their boat will occupy during transportation.
The company has all it takes to handle all kinds of boats up to 65ft in length, along with a fleet of forty (40) tractors as well as trailers plus hydraulics systems to make loading and offloading easier.
It attends to private customers and caters to corporate clients, such as boat dealers, manufacturers, and boat show promoters.
They have an extensive list of related services starting from shrink wrapping to the construction of customized cradles of about 80ft in length.
BESY FOR LOCAL
4.5
This company has been in existence since 1954. Joule Yacht Transport specializes in shipping large-size boats within the country. Adaptable trailers are made to fit any transportation job is being used by the company.
Fabricators that can help modify a trailer or build a new trailer to fit the customer’s boat perfectly are also available on their payroll. To make sure there is protection on overland shipping, the company ensures it ensures each job for $2,000,000.
They will provide you with their insurance certificate whenever you request. There are many useful links to shipyards, dealers, and manufacturers on the company’s website. The links are useful for first-time boat buyers that need a harbor or bay to pack their boat.
This company provides a complete guide and checklist for those looking to transport their boats. You can download the guides from Joule yacht Transport’s website.
This company provides a comprehensive guide and checklist for those getting ready to ship their boats. The two guides can be downloaded from Joule Yacht Transport’s website.
Customers planning a boat trip can get a free, printable float plan document to travel with someone in case there is a problem at sea.
Joule Yacht Transport also has fabricators or employees who can modify the trailer or build a new one to accommodate the customer’s boat.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Below are the questions you should ask after you might have evaluated your needs and get a shipping quote from a shipping company:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, many long distance moving companies offer the option to ship your boat along with your household items. This can streamline the moving process if you’re relocating both your home and boat.
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.
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.
No, kindly arrange for this personally if you are shipping your boat to ship side across the water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Thomas has a degree in literature from Stanford University and a profession in Mass Communication. Thomas is a member of the Moving Feedback research team, an expert in writing educative articles to help readers make the right buying decisions. He is well versed in moving industry matters to give the best advice on moving needs.