How to Move a Boat

Moving entails transporting more than just your belongings from one home to another. If you own a boat, you’ll have to arrange for its transport, too. Depending on how large your boat is, where you’re currently located and where you’re moving to, transporting a boat can be complicated and expensive. Here’s what you need to know.

Three ways to move your boat

You have three options for moving your boat: you can move it yourself, hire a delivery captain (yacht delivery service) or use a professional boat moving service. Most people opt to move it themselves if they aren’t relocating too far away and already have a trailer. However, the do-it-yourself approach isn’t always an option.

Moving it yourself

Hiring a delivery captain

Using a professional boat moving service

How to measure your boat

Because so much depends on the size of your boat, including the cost of shipping it and permitting requirements, it’s important to know how to correctly measure it. (Don’t rely on the measurement information provided in your boat’s owners since it may not be exact and modifications can add to your boat’s size.)

Start by removing all detachable pieces; then, measure the length. Overall length is measured from the tip of the bow to the center of the stern. Include bow pulpits, swim platforms, motor brackets and the length of the motors or out drives in the raised position.

Next, measure the height from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part of the boat. If you are using your own trailer, include the trailer in your measurement. The height should be at or under 13 feet 6 inches to avoid having a height pole escort. Even if your boat is below this height, remove radars, antennas and anything you can to reduce its height and chance of tipping during transport.

Finally, width is measured at the widest point of the boat and includes the rub rail. If your width exceeds 8 feet 6 inches wide, you will need a permit to transport it. Boats larger than 12 feet usually require at least one pilot car, so you’ll want to remove any item, such as grills, to minimize the width (and prevent them from falling off or getting damaged in the move).

How to prepare your boat

Whether you relocate your boat yourself or hire a professional boat moving service to do it for you, you need to prepare your boat. Start by photographing your boat in the water before you do anything. Next, remove all personal items. This includes food, clothes and linens. Then, remove all flammable items, including propane, Sterno, flares and extra fuel.

After removing your boat from the water, thoroughly clean it, removing any growths from the hull. Most states have inspection stations for invasive species, and if you fail an inspection, you will be liable for thousands of dollars per day in detention and layover fees. Once it is clean, photograph your boat out of the water, making sure to get close up shots as well as full profiles.

Next, remove all cables from the batteries, fuel from your gas tank and liquids from your holding tanks. Secure all hatches, and detach all items secured to the sides such as barbecue grills, buoys and anchors. Lastly, consider removing any valuable electronic components and shipping them separately. You might also want to shrink wrap your boat to keep it clean and protect it from damage during the move.

Is it worth it?

Moving a boat can be expensive and time consuming, even if you are just prepping your boat and hiring someone to transport it for you. Often, it’s easier and less expensive to sell your boat before your move and buy a new one once you’ve settled in at your new home.

However, if you do decide to move your boat, it will add substantially to your moving to-do list. Take some of the pressure off by hiring a professional moving company to transport your belongings to the new house or maybe even help pack. Our network of reliable movers makes it easy to find a reputable company who can make moving a little less stressful.