Boat Shipping
To avoid complications, you must hire a boat-hauling company when shipping a boat. Professional boat movers use trailers designed for transporting boats over long distances. Therefore, you should always hire a professional if shipping long distances.
At A-1 Auto Transport, we are a reputable boat shipping company striving to provide boat shipping services at an affordable price.
Types of South Carolina Boat Transport Services
Listed below are some of the most popular boating services we provide:
- International Yacht Transport: Boats and yachts are not just relocated within the United States; we also deliver them to ports and shipping locations worldwide.
- Overland Transport: We can assist you with the required service, whether your boat needs to be shipped in the United States or internationally.
- Shrink Wrapping: Shrink wrapping keeps out moisture and salt, which can cause damage to watercraft from abrasion and harm the interior.
Boat transport
You must take care of many items before you can safely Transport a Boat. You or your agent can do most of the preparation needed. Finding as much information as possible from the marina and boat mover you choose is important. Very few technical skills or experiences are required to address most details. Getting to know your vessel better while saving money is a great option if you have more time than money.
Powerboat shipping
While it is fundamental to have general common sense when it comes to powerboat shipping, paying attention to every detail is crucial to getting the job done well. If you are moving a powerboat, we can handle all the details. There are quirks and personalities to every powerboat. Having a good understanding of these quirks is crucial for ensuring your vessel can be transported safely. For powerboat transport questions or concerns, please contact us since we can be a wealth of information.
Sailboat Transport
If a sailboat is being transported, you must stow all deck gear. Lines must be secured if they lead to the cockpit. To prevent freezing, you should perform proper winterization. Sometimes, keel sailboats may separate from the hull due to cracking paint and filler. Centerboard sailboats should be secured so that they remain upright during transportation.
You must work with a driver with a high level of experience in sailboat shipping.
Yacht shipping
You must be very careful when choosing your yacht's route to its new destination. For your yacht's safe and efficient transportation, we handle all permits, police escorts, pole cars, and route surveys.
Our company doesn't charge fuel surcharges because we believe they should only be applied to companies that don't manage their trucks properly and/or need help understanding how to quote boat relocations correctly.
Small boat transport
Tow & Go is used in Small Boat Shipping to transport a vessel on its trailer. Sometimes, it can be cheaper and easier if the trailer is roadworthy. This means that it has good tires, brakes, and lights that work. You can have a transport trailer repaired and maintained by us if it needs to be fixed. You may be able to save money by getting service rather than hauling your boat and trailer.
International Boat Shipping
With over 25 years in the boat shipping business, A-1 Auto Transport has shipped hundreds of boats overseas. Whenever you transport a boat overseas, you need to make meticulous preparations, and we understand how complex the process can be.
You don't need to hire multiple boat transporters, all you need is only one company for any size, whether 20-foot Nautiques or 200-foot yachts. Furthermore, we will help you arrange the overseas relocation of your vessel easily and hassle-free if you hire A-1 Auto Transport.
Container Boat Shipping
Shipping a boat in a container is cheaper than shipping it internationally, but container specifications restrict the size. For example, an eight-foot-wide or eight-foot-tall boat is typically too large to fit into a container. Due to size limitations, shipping small boats in containers is only possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Boat to or from South Carolina?
In boat transportation, price is an important consideration; however, other factors are also important. Regarding boat trailer transport, there are significant differences between boat shipping companies' services. Therefore, it is important to consider three factors when choosing a cargo ship transportation company when transporting fishing boats, cargo, or boat docks; boat destinations, market conditions, and proper insurance.
How to Prepare a Boat for Shipping
Before handing your boat over to a boat transport company, you should do a few things. You must take the following steps before preparing your boat for transport. First, ask the boat transport company any questions about the process or preparation.
- Any electronic components, including the alarm, should be disconnected after draining the fuel tank.
- The following items should be stowed or removed: flag masts, anchors, propellers, electronics, antennas, and valuables.
- Ensure the boat's compartments, windows, hatches, doors, and cabinets are securely closed.
Finding a better boat transport company than A-1 Auto Transport is impossible. But, whatever your needs are, we can help! Call 1-888-230-9116 or complete our online submission form for an affordable, real-time boat shipping quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping during peak season, using highly specialized transport vehicles, and having a rigid delivery window are all possible reasons you’ll pay far more than the market average in standard conditions. So even though these are highly specific and contextual add-ons, many other factors hold significant sway over the shipping costs of boats to and from South Carolina.
It means that you should opt out of these. There would still be no certainty that you’ll have a concrete idea of how much it will cost to ship the boat. This estimate can only be achieved by putting in the hours, researching, looking into various shipping companies, and comparing their costs. Make sure you plan the shipping very carefully, thoroughly going through all the factors one by one. You must keep this in mind that during summers you will encounter a ton of traffic. This is when people usually plan to ship their boats. This way the slots get filled easily at a very high price.
Just so you don’t feel cheated or taken advantage of at any point during your boat’s shipping, you should remember that no one, not even the best shipping company, can accurately tell you when your shipment will reach its destination. It is very important to be aware of the extremely varying nature of the situation so that you’re not expecting your service provider to be held responsible if the shipment didn’t reach when you expected it to. You should be aware that from anything as routine as sudden traffic jams and highway accidents to natural disasters, your shipment can be delayed for an uncertain amount of time, and that’s why shipping on tighter deadlines is always risky business.
Most companies employ various security measures to ensure its protection when shipping your boat. Proper loading and securing techniques are implemented to prevent shifting or damage during transport. Although, before you start trusting the equipment, you should verify whether the company has the proper licenses and coverage. Specialized equipment such as boat cradles, straps, and braces are utilized to maintain stability and security during transit. By choosing a reputable company that values customer satisfaction, you can have peace of mind knowing that your boat will be handled with care and protected throughout the entire transportation process. But just in case, make sure that you have documented evidence of the initial condition of the boat to compare it when it reaches its destination.
It is a smart decision to get yourself insured. The vehicle, if insured, will be back to its previous condition. It means there’s a high chance of scratches and dents during the transport. And if your vehicle is insured, it means that that harm will be compensated through the company. They will provide you with the compensatory money to return your boat to its normal condition. This policy acts as a protective barrier for you and the company.