10 Common Mistakes When Shipping Jet Skis

When you own a Jet Ski, the entire world appears before you. You can explore water bodies and hidden lagoons to your heart's content.

However, owning a Jet Ski also means you'll have to consider shipping it from one location to another. Luckily, many companies today specialize in helping owners move Jet Skis to wherever they want.

Whether you are using a shipping service or moving your Jet Ski yourself, you want to ensure you are doing it in the safest, most cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way.

To help you achieve this goal, we list common mistakes Jet Ski owners make when shipping their watercraft so that you can avoid the same errors.

You Didn't Check the Weight of Your Jet Ski

Although it might seem irrelevant, the first thing you should do before you even start planning the shipping of your Jet Ski is to find out the weight of the boat.

It will help you select the right shipping company and also communicate with them better while shipping.

Additionally, it will guarantee that the boat arrives at its destination undamaged.

The smallest boat weight a company will accept for shipping is subject to numerous norms and restrictions. Therefore, it's advisable to call the company and ask them about their rules to ensure you don't need to pay extra freight charges.

You Didn't Confirm the Condition and Type of the Jet Ski

Another important thing you must remember before shipping your Jet Ski is its condition and type.

Knowing your Jet Ski's condition will help ensure your boat's safety and help the shipping company store it properly in the container.

If the Jet Ski is not in working order, the shipping company needs to be aware of this so that they are not held liable for any false claims of damages to the watercraft.

As for type, each Jet Ski is different with various parts. Therefore, you and the shipping company need to know the type of Jet Ski being shipped. These details are mandatory on the shipping form, but it is always best to double-check the information.

You Didn't Test the Fit before Shifting Your Jet Ski to a Container

Companies have different rules and regulations regarding the minimum requirements for boat shipping.

However, it would help if you also kept in mind that other companies have various limitations regarding the maximum size of a boat they will also accept. For example, it depends on the size of the shipping container that they use.

It is a common fault that owners commit when shipping their Jet Skis. They need to check the maximum dimensions of their boat before shifting it to a container.

If the measurements are larger than the full size of the container, the shipping company will reject it.

Therefore, you must check the dimensions of your boat before shifting it to a container, and also consider taking a little bit off its length so that it can fit into the container securely.

You Sent a New or Expensive Jet Ski Without Wrapping It First

One of the most important things you must do before shipping your Jet Ski is to wrap it. It will lessen the likelihood of any damage during transit.

Additionally, wrapping guarantees the Jet Ski stays in good shape until it reaches its destination.

You Sent Your Jet Ski With No Protection from UV Rays

One of the most important things you must do before shipping your Jet Ski is to protect it from sun exposure.

UV rays can cause several issues to your craft, such as discoloration, and leather and plastic damage.

Long-term exposure to UV rays, which may be the case during shipping to far distances, can cause cracks in the body.

To protect the boat from UV rays, you must wrap it up completely. You can use newspapers, blankets, or anything thick to absorb UV rays.

If you are moving the Jet Ski yourself, you must ensure that the craft stays completely covered during the shipping process.

If you are using a shipping service, a good tip is to notify the company that you wish to keep your Jet Ski covered during transportation.

You Shifted Your Boat During the Hot Season or Just After Summer

One of the most common mistakes people make when planning to ship Jet Skis is transporting them during or just after summer.

If possible, avoid moving your boat during the hot months, as it gets extremely humid and heated inside a container. This happens despite the shipping company's best efforts to keep the container at the right temperature.

If it gets too hot, the shipping company might consider putting your Jet Ski in a colder location, which can cause a whole new set of problems, such as damage to the craft.

You Didn't Pay Attention to the Tracking Information before Shipping

Before you send off your Jet Ski, double-check the tracking information.

Make sure the pick-up location and final destination are correct. Also, confirm the contact details of yourself and the handler on the other side.

Most shipping companies will give you a tracking number so that you can track your Jet Ski in real-time. And if there are any delays, your shipping company should notify you.

If, based on the tracking information, you feel the company is delaying too much, contact them immediately to find out if there are any problems or a reason for the delay.

Usually, you are compensated for any losses in the event of delays. But it's best to read the fine print on the shipping contract to see what this compensation will cover.

You Didn't Confirm the Shipping Dates and Times

It may seem like a silly mistake, but often there is miscommunication or confusion about shipping dates and times.

When you are shipping your Jet Ski, there are two important dates to keep in mind.

First, make sure you are available and ready to load your Jet Ski on the day of departure.

Second, confirm the date of arrival at the final destination.

Once you have checked these dates, you can allow the shipping company to take charge.

However, in some cases, it does happen that shipping companies shift the delivery date to later, pending delays on their side. If this happens, the shipping company must inform you of the change.

You can also do due diligence by always checking the tracking information to ensure there was no oversight regarding informing you of changes to the schedule.

You Didn't Check the Delivery Costs before the Shipping

Before you ship your Jet Ski, make sure you have enough funds in your budget to make the shipment.

In addition, read the fine print of the shipping contract carefully so that you are not hit with unexpected costs along the way.

Most shipping companies will also require you to take out insurance on your watercraft before shipping, which is another expense to consider.

You Didn't Review Different Shipping Methods

There are several shipping methods you can choose from when moving your Jet Ski. Make sure you know the details of each of these methods, as well as the cost implications so that you can opt for the best fit for you.

In addition, if you are focused on minimizing your impact on the environment, you can check the effect that the different shipping methods have on the plant.

Different shipping methods have other implications for the environment. For example, dry-bulk shipping, which uses cargo ships to move goods, is more environmentally friendly than transporting items by air. It is also much cheaper.

While checking which option is better for the environment, consider the different laws and regulations around Jet Ski shipping at the destination location. This is especially important where the storage of Jet Skis are concerned.

Wrapping Up

To avoid extra charges and surprises when shipping your Jet Ski, avoid these ten mistakes highlighted above.

First, you need to know the weight of the watercraft, its condition, and its size.

Then you have to ensure everything works before moving it to a container. You must also protect the boat from UV rays and ensure it is not too hot or too cold inside the container.

Finally, pay attention to the fine print and confirm all the information in your shipping contract, to avoid any unexpected costs.

A1 Auto Transport will help you solve all the problems you face when shipping your Jet Ski, allowing you more freedom, time, and peace of mind to enjoy your Jet Ski to its full.

You can get a quote anytime by contacting our customer support staff. And please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about shipping Jet Skis!