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Boat Transport Tips
1. Be absolutely sure you know who you are dealing with.
This may sound like common sense, but take serious heed. If you have a 20' power boat on a new trailer, you can pretty much get away with any qualified transport company. But, if you have a 38' sail boat, be sure the transport company you hire has dealt with such a load. There are many boat transport companies who's main business are the smaller loads, or even large power boats, but the big boats require special loading and handling. First, ask if they are the ones who are going to transport your boat, or if they are just a broker. Second, ask if the driver they intend to load your boat has experience with your type of load. Do not be intimidated by your own ignorance on how to load boats. Ask as many specific questions as you can: how they intend to load your boat, will it require any special equipment, will the load require any special permits. If they cannot answer these questions easily and professionally, chances are they are either a broker or unfamiliar with your type of load.
2. Shopping around for the "best price".
Again, if you have a 20' power boat on your own trailer, shop around to your heart's content, being sure you stay with reputable transport companies. However, if you have a large boat, shaving a dollar here and there can cost you a bundle. If you have a large boat, or any type of sail boat, and have cost as your first priority, please read tip #1 again, and again.
Professional boat transporters are expensive because they do their job right. They require the proper equipment, they hire experienced drivers and loaders, which command a premium price. Don't gamble with your boat just because a transport company has insurance either, anyone who has been around boats long enough knows that repairing damage is not quite the same thing with a boat as with other vehicles. Many times insurance companies try to save money on repairs wherever they can, and even with good intentions, getting a perfect repair is of course an impossibility. We do not receive commission from any boat transport companies listed, we have no financial gain, it's simply the best free advice you are going to get.
3. How to get the "best Price".
Having laid down stern warnings, there are still ways of shopping around to get the best price. The easiest way to prevent trouble is also the easiest way to get a good price: take the time to shop around with several transport companies and ask as many questions as you can. Don't know what to ask? After a couple of conversations you will.
Obviously we are not advocating taking the lesser price, however, there are factors in boat transport which can affect price among the most qualified companies. For example, you can get a better price with some quality transporters if your load is return freight, that is, headed back in their direction. In this case, it is simply a matter of timing as far as what type of price you will get, and also determining whether or not there are any carriers where you are headed. If you are having a boat transported to Florida, be sure to call the transporters in that area for any available loads.
Another way to save money is with type type of equipment used. For example, your boat could be a borderline height limit. You could call one carrier and your load would cost $10,000, yet contact another just as qualified carrier and the load is only $7,500. The reason for the lesser amount from a carrier just as qualified is because they have special low profile trailers which would put your boat under the height requirement, removing the need for costly permits and possibly fewer escorts.
The best way to find out if there are any special savings to be found for your particular situation is to call around. First, determine which are the most qualified carriers for your type of load, then work on price with the remaining carriers. Keep in mind however, we are not referring to price haggling, as we have stated, the cost is based on a transporter's expense, and anyone who can fluctuate to any extent in price through bartering, is someone you should stay away from in the first place.
4. Know what type of insurance coverage you are getting.
All transport companies have a general proof of insurance form, ask specifically for it. Find out exactly what amount of cargo insurance they have and what their deductible is.
Anybody can present themselves as a "valid" transport company, but it is in the service, especially when things go wrong, that the quality companies become apparent.
True, you could go with a low to mid grade company and nothing go wrong, but if something does, the difference between a low and high quality company will become very apparent as you spend valuable time trying over and over to recover any losses or damages.
5. Do a walk through with the driver.
Do a complete walk through concerning the physical condition of your vehicle with the driver, because damages happen. We have our drivers mark detailed inspection sheets, plus even take pictures of vehicles with damage if the situation requires it.
6. Be very clear with your requests and details.
By the time the driver shows up at your door to pick up the vehicle, your information has been passed along several times. You need to be very clear how payment is to be made, who will meet the driver, how they are going to contact you before pick up, when they will arrive, is the vehicle operable, where the vehicle is exactly located, etc.
Many times people pay the extra for an "in-op" vehicle, yet fail to realize that the truck coming to pick it up is a 70 foot long semi and the car is at the end of a long, one way driveway, requiring an additional tow vehicle resulting in costly driver down time, which is usually passed on to the customer.
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