How to Ship a Boat Cross Country: [Ultimate Guide for Canada]
What is the process of shipping a boat cross country?
Shipping a boat cross-country involves loading the boat onto an appropriate truck and trailer, driving it to its destination, and then unloading it. Sounds simple, right? It is, but there’s more than meets the eye.
Careful planning will make the process run smoothly. Here are our suggestions to make sure your boat transport is successful and hassle-free.
The process of shipping a boat cross-country is a little more complicated than the simple explanation above.
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Simple does not always mean easy. Here’s what you should keep in mind to make sure your boat transport goes smoothly.
You’ll need to pack the boat carefully so that nothing falls overboard or gets damaged in transit.
Besides the usual steps of securing loose items, make sure that there won’t be any extra packaging (like shrink-wrap) or accessories that make the boat unnecessarily tall or wide. If a boat is over certain size limits, it will require special permits and equipment to transport.
Boat Loading and Unloading
You’ll also have to make sure that the boat is loaded correctly so that it doesn’t hit any bumps on the way. The easiest way to transport a boat is to load it on a trailer, hitch it on a truck, and drive away.
Appropriate Boat Trailer
What if your boat doesn’t come with a trailer? We will need to locate an appropriate trailer and truck, then we’ll need to load your boat. It’s good if there’s help with loading and unloading.
For example, oftentimes a marina will have the equipment (such as a crane or forklift) available to load the boat on the truck’s trailer. If this equipment is not available, we’ll need to identify a local service that can help with that part of the journey.
A boat trailer is specialized to fit the shape of the boat. Depending on the boat, we may load it onto a flat deck trailer. If the boat is at risk of being too tall, we’ll use a specialized “low boy” trailer that is low to the ground. These are more rare than other types of trailers, so we prefer to schedule these types of transports at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Boat Cradle
Depending on the boat, we may need to use a cradle to support the weight of the boat during transport. This is most common for boats that have a keel or an uneven bottom surface, such as a sailboat.
Once you’re ready to go, it’s time to transport your boat across the country until we reach the final destination. Traffic conditions, availability of equipment, regulations, and many other factors affect how long it takes to transport a vehicle. However, we’ll give you a fairly accurate estimate at the time of booking.
Once you’ve received the boat, all the preparation will be worth it!
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(We regularly work with folks outside of Canada, shipping their boat overseas from Europe into Canada.)
How to choose a route?
Choosing a route is important when shipping a boat cross country. There are many factors to consider, and the best way to choose a route depends on your specific needs.
If you’re transporting with Red Foot Haulers, we’ll take care of all routing and logistics. It can get pretty complicated, and if you’re hiring us, it’s because you want us to handle all the technical details.
If your boat is oversized, we’ll need to route your transport to avoid low bridges and certain highways. This will impact the schedule and cost to transport your vehicle.
Generally, we’re able to anticipate all of these costs and the schedule. We do our best to let you know everything upfront, that way there aren’t any surprise costs, taxes, or vague fees that others in this industry sometimes charge. With experience, we’ve learned how to anticipate the most common scenarios.
What are the costs associated with shipping a boat cross country?
Shipping a boat cross country can be expensive. There are a variety of costs that need to be taken into account, including the cost of shipping, customs fees, and port charges.
Every transport is unique, however, we’ll ask you for the most important information beforehand to make sure everything goes smoothly.
How to prepare the boat for shipping?
To prepare the boat for shipping, we recommend you check out our comprehensive guide. However, if you request a shipping quote, we’ll ask all of the pertinent questions for your transport.
1. Remove any objects that could damage the boat during transport. This includes anything that could fall overboard or blow away while transported on the highway.
2. Check all of the hardware and seals on the boat to make sure they’re in good condition and haven’t been damaged in any way.
3. Make sure all of the sails, canopies, and sails are properly stowed and tied down so they don’t catch on anything.
4. Clear out all of the clutter from inside and outside of the boat, as this will make it easier to see everything while navigating through treacherous waters!
5. Remove shrink wrap, tarps, or other packaging and coverings that can damage your boat while being transported at highway speeds. Friction from these can damage the paint, or create a dangerous situation as they fall off on the highway.
How to find a reputable shipper?
A reputable shipper is a company that you can trust to ship your boat cross country safely and without any problems.
Finding a reputable shipper is important for two reasons: first, they’ll be able to ship your boat cross country safely and without any problems; second, they’ll have the knowledge and experience to get your boat where it needs to go.
There are many factors you need to consider when choosing a shipper, including their reputation, customer service policies, shipping rates, and delivery times.
Of course, we recommend shipping with Red Foot Haulers, but you don’t have to take our word for it. You can check out hundreds of reviews from recent customers on Google and other review websites. We’d be happy to even send you a personal referral, if you were seriously considering shipping with us.
How to insure the boat during shipping?
During transport, our professional carrier’s insurance will cover any damage arising from negligence or accidents. Typically, road debris and other “normal” wear and tear is not covered. You may have additional insurance that would cover your vehicle, however, during transport our carrier’s insurance would apply.
1) For international transport, use a cargo insurance policy: This is the most common way to insure your boat until it arrives at the port in Canada. It will cover any losses or damages that occur while your boat is in transit, including accidents, theft, or natural disasters like storms or floods.
2) Use an ocean carrier endorsement: An ocean carrier endorsement will add extra coverage for your vessel in case of accidents at sea. Check with your carrier for insurance options.
What are the different shipping methods?
There are several shipping methods you can use to ship a boat cross-country.
The most common shipping method is using a truck or container.
Other methods include using a trailer, rail, or barge.
Each of these methods has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Ultimately, you’ll need to choose the shipping method that best suits your needs and your boat’s size and weight.
Need to Transport a Boat Across Canada? Learn more about our Shipping Services Here: Boat Shipping Across Canada
What are the transit times for shipping a boat cross-country?
The transit time for shipping a boat cross-country is the amount of time it takes for a ship to travel from one location to another. The transit time can vary depending on the route and the type of vessel being used.
We’ll let you know ahead of time about how long it will take to arrive after we load your vehicle at the port in Canada.