Common boat shipping challenges

Now that you've learned the basics of requirements and things to look for when inspecting the preparation of a boat for long distance transport, below we will list some of the most common challenges during the journey and steps you can take in order to be prepared.

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Weather

Weather can make people want to transport their boat. It can also make transportation harder. Check the forecast for the day of shipping. In some midwest areas and northeast states, inclement weather can make it very difficult to load or unload your boat without help.

If you’re picking up or delivering a boat at a marina, make sure the trailer is more than partially submerged. Ideally, the vessel should float off your trailer easily, or float on.

If this is your customer’s first time using a boat shipper, let them know the following before you set off: Your boat will be traveling at 60 mph into a 14 mph headwind, and that’s on an average day. The customer should be aware that the hull may get a little muddy after a long drive. But it’ll come off quick enough in water!

Weight

Gear and supplies on a boat can add more weight than you might expect. Exceeding the maximum weight rating will void the manufacturer’s warranty and may cause damage to the trailer and boat, so be careful you know how much weight you’re carrying.

The material of the boat is a good indicator of weight. A 40-foot aluminum houseboat will weigh about 32,000 lbs, but the same craft built of fiberglass can weigh around 44,000 lbs. Weight affects the type of trailer you need, and whether your state will charge you for carrying it.

Very important to note!!! - Most customers that will look to hire you will oftentimes provide you only with the boat dry weight, as specified by the manufacturer. However, the total gross weight is usually much higher, especially if the boat was submerged recently, has a lot of additional equipment, fuel in the gas tank(s) and finally - the dry boat weight does not include the weight of the engine(s) or a trailer, which is more than often supplied for this category of shipments. This way a boat listed as a small vessel weighing 3,500 lb can easily become a 7,000 lb of total weight (with 2 mid sized engines, full gas tanks and a trailer).

Therefore, before you even place a quote on a boat shipment on CitizenShipper, make sure to learn more about the TOTAL WEIGHT from your customer, in order to know whether your vehicle can haul it, and whether it has surpassed the USDOT requirements based on your gross weight.

Size

Problems can occur if the boat-owner has given incorrect measurements for the boat.

Height issues can often be the most challenging, and also the most expensive. Maximum legal height for cargo on interstates is 13’6”. (This is measured from the ground to the tallest part of the vessel.) DOT states that any load whose height can be reduced must be reduced. And beware: an average trailer adds 18” of height, so a boat must be 12’ tall or under.

Many states have restrictions for trucks with oversize loads – like boats. In Connecticut, for example, oversize load trips are allowed only between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm, Tuesdays through Thursdays. Many oversize loads require police escorts between state borders. An escort of two state troopers costs a $1,500 flat fee. (New York and Massachusetts have similar restrictions.) Across all states, a boat that is over 12′ wide will need a certified escort. For more information on state restrictions, permits and costs, find it here.

When giving your quote, factor in that the average state fee is around $75. Don’t pay, and the default penalty is a 365-day bar from filing for permits, a $5,000 fine, forfeiture of vehicle and trailer and even jail time. So don’t try it!

Here are some additional notes from experienced boat transporters on oversized boat transport:

“The State of Georgia requires a certificate of insurance naming the state as an additional insurer.”

“If you need permits make sure to write directions – ‘north’, ‘south’, etc. – or the permit can be rejected. Most permits are good for 5-7 days.”

“You can never pull a wide load before or after a holiday or within big city limits during rush hours.”

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Now that you've learned about things to look out for when negotiating the details regarding your upcoming trip, you're ready for the next step, where we will put the emphasis on the recommended equipment boat carriers should have.

If you have anything to add on the list of challenges above, or ask a question on the ones that were mentioned, we encourage you to do in the comments section below.

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