Ready to transport your boat? Before transporting your boat let's make sure nothing important is forgotten. This checklist will help ensure that all of the necessary steps are completed before we transport your boat. (You can download a PDF of this Pre-Transport Checklist, just click the link!) This PDF contains even more important and helpful information about transporting your boat with Red Foot Haulers.

Power Boat Pre-Transport Checklist

Inspect trailer tires
Inspect wheel bearings
Inspect trailer lights
Disconnect hoses and cables
Secure all hatches/lids
Secure doors
Disable electronics
Remove ropes and fenders
Store safety gear
Remove life ring
Remove barbeques, coolers, etc.
Secure all items in the cockpit (carpets, electronic covers, etc.)
Secure/remove sun pads
Secure antennas down
Box up all loose items on board and secure
Secure all interior cabinet doors
Secure salon doorRemove all canvas and put it inside
Remove fishing rods /reels
Remove all loose items
Secure tunnel cover fastenings
Remove tarps
Remove shrink wrap
Remove all items extending past the stated length and width of your boat
Secure anchor with extra safety strap
Remove radar
Stow outdrive engine at least 50%
Remove flybridge
Disconnect battery
Secure all deck hardware - lights, antennas, etc.
Remove mirrors from the side of the windshield
Remove all loose items from the deck
Stow anything you would not like to get wet
Double-check everything!

(You can download a PDF of this Pre-Transport Checklist, just click the link!)

Here’s some more info on each of the checklist items:

Inspect trailer tires

Check tire pressure to make sure they're operating at an optimal level for safety purposes.

Inspect wheel bearings

Check wheel bearings for excessive play or tightness. Replace if necessary before transport.

Ensure all lights are working on the trailer

Check to make sure trailer lights are in good working condition before transporting.

Disconnect hoses and cables

Ensure that no hoses or cables are connected during transport so they don't get caught on anything along the way!

Secure all hatches/lids

Make sure all hatches and lids are closed and properly secured before transport.

Secure doors

Ensure all doors are closed and locked before transport.

Disable electronics

If you're transporting your boat in a truck or trailer, be sure to disable the electronic systems to avoid any accidental damage.

Remove all ropes and fenders

Remove any ropes and fenders to avoid catching or tangling during transport.

Store safety gear

Store life jackets, paddles, oars, and other loose items in designated areas. Make sure all your life vests are stored properly.

Remove life ring

If your boat has a life ring, remove it and store it safely.

Remove barbecues, coolers, etc.

Remove any barbecues, coolers, or other items that could potentially fall, get lost or damage your boat.

Secure all items in the cockpit (carpets, electronic covers, etc.)

If you have any items in the cockpit, be sure to secure them properly. This will help protect them during transport.

Secure/remove sun pads

If you have a sun pad, be sure to remove it and store it safely.

Secure antennas down

If you have an antenna on your boat, be sure to secure it down so that is doesn't get caught up in the transport process.

Box up all loose items on board

Put small loose items on board in a box to avoid them getting damaged or lost during transport. Then secure the box.

Secure all interior cabinet doors

If your boat has any interior cabinet doors, be sure to secure them before transport. This will help keep everything in place.

Secure all salon doors

If your boat has any salon doors, be sure to secure them before transport. This will help keep everything in place.

Remove all canvas and put it inside

Make sure to remove any canvas on the outside of your boat and store it safely inside. This includes bimini tops, cockpit canopies, etc.

Remove fishing rods/reels

If you have any fishing equipment on board, make sure to remove it and secure or stow it safely before transport.

Remove all other loose items

Check the whole boat and ensure that there are no loose items left behind.

Secure tunnel cover fastenings

If the boat is to be shipped with a tunnel cover on, please be sure that the fastenings are adequate to withstand highway speeds

Remove ALL tarps from the boat (tarps will not withstand highway speeds)

If your boat is being transported with a tarp on it, please be sure to remove it before transport. Tarps will not withstand highway speeds and could potentially damage your boat.

Remove shrink wrap

Shrink wrap is designed for storage only and may damage the boat during transport

Remove all items extending past the stated length and width of your boat

If you have any items extending past the length or width of your boat, remove them before transport. This includes fenders/bumpers, ropes, etc.

Secure anchor with an extra safety strap

If you have an anchor on your boat, be sure to secure it with an extra safety strap.

Remove radar arrays

In most cases boats 32’ and up require the radar to be removed (or hung underneath the arch).

If the boat has outdrive engines, stow up at a minimum of 50%

If you have an outdrive engine on your boat, be sure to stow it at least 50%.

Remove flybridge

If the boat is 32’ or bigger and has a flybridge, in some cases the flybridge may need to be removed

Batteries must be disconnected or have been switched in off position

All batteries must be disconnected or have the switches in the off position during transport.

Secure all deck hardware- lights, antennas, etc.

All deck hardware should be secured or put away for transport.

Remove mirrors from the side of the windshield

Remove mirrors ideally, or cover with cling wrap, so they don't break during transport

Remove all loose items from the deck

Stow anything you would not like to get wet

Boats are designed to withstand wet environments. However, in the event of rain, if there is anything you would like to keep dry please stow accordingly.

Double-check everything!

Once you've completed the checklist, take a step back and make sure you haven't missed anything. Completing this pre-transport checklist will ensure that your boat arrives at its destination without any surprises! Download the checklist here.

Transport Your Boat with Red Foot Haulers Today

If you have any questions or would like a free quote, please don't hesitate to contact us. Just fill out the quick quote form on this page, and we'll get back to you right away.

Power Boat Pre-Transport Checklist