Evaluating Options for Shipping a Boat for Fishing

Thinking about shipping your fishing boat? 

Maybe you’ve got a massive deep sea fishing boat with a tuna tower and are moving to the west coast from the east coast, or your boat is in Florida, and you’re planning a big fishing trip to Mexico’s Pacific coast. Maybe you’ve got a smaller freshwater boat and are moving to another state. Or, you just bought a used boat and need to get it to your location. 

You have three main options for transporting your boat: buy or rent a trailer and haul it yourself; hire a boat transportation company; or, if you have a larger saltwater boat, you could captain it on the sea to your destination or hire a crew to do it for you. 

The choice is not an easy one. Fishing boats are expensive investments that can incur high costs if damaged during transit, and transportation can pose a danger to other vehicles and pedestrians. For example, when a boat trailer came loose in Staten Island, NY, it slammed into two cyclists and killed a 21-year-old woman. 

The risk of damage and injury is always higher when you transport the boat by land on your own, and it can be very risky if you’ve never dealt with the intricacies of boat transportation.

Luckily, Shiplux is here to simplify the process. Our experienced staff takes care of everything involved in transportation including the logistics, so you can rest easy knowing that your fishing boat will arrive safely and without damage to your specified destination.

Regardless of your vessel’s size and the reason you need to transport it, it is crucial to consider several factors when deciding on a method of transportation. 

Type and Size of Boat

If you own a large fishing boat with a tuna tower, ground transportation could be expensive since it will limit route options and force you to hire a pilot car. These boat owners should consider hiring a crew to drive the boat to its destination instead. But, depending on your boat’s final destination, transporting by land may mean that your craft reaches its destination more quickly. We do not recommend transporting these large boats yourself, as a lot of logistics planning and trucking expertise is needed.  

Ground transportation costs are usually lower if you have a medium-sized, +25 ft saltwater or freshwater fishing boat. And, with a variety of 25 ft boat trailers on the market, it is less difficult to transport your boat yourself. However, there are many dangers involved, such as runaway trailers. If you’re transporting your boat over a long distance, we’d recommend using a boat transportation company, especially if it is an antique or wooden boat.

For smaller freshwater and saltwater boats, ground transportation costs are pretty low. Though the smaller size makes it less hazardous to transport on your own, it also means that hiring a boat transportation company would be relatively cheap.

Transport Distance

Hiring a boat transportation company might be your best option if transporting your saltwater boat from coast to coast. Your craft will arrive at its destination sooner than if you decide to drive it around the continent, and you won’t have to pay for the gas and crew needed for such a venture. 

On the other hand, transporting a smaller, freshwater boat between states will be less expensive and time-consuming. You could rent or purchase a trailer depending on how frequently you expect to use it. However, if the travel duration is more than a day, you may find that hiring a transportation company would save you a lot of time and effort. 

Boat Age

All boats come with a life expectancy, usually about 20-30 years, depending on how well it is maintained, and most people replace their boats after around ten years. So consider whether selling your boat and buying a new one at your final destination would be less expensive in the long run. 

Of course, many boat owners have grown attached to their old crafts; you’ve shared a past and take pride in how well you’ve maintained it. In such a case, using enclosed shipping with an experienced boat transporter like Shiplux will reduce the risk of damage to your favorite possession. 

Fishing Boat Transportation Cost

If you’re still considering transporting your boat yourself, you must fully consider the cost of transportation. Here are some factors to consider:

• The Boat Trailer (Buy or Rent): If you plan to load and unload your boat from the water every time you use it, you should buy a trailer– even if you aren’t hauling your boat over long distances. A new or used boat trailer can cost between $500 and $10,000, depending on the size needed. If you are only transporting your fishing boat to another mooring, you probably only need to use the trailer once. In this case, boat trailer rentals will cost you between $100 and $250 daily. If you’re traveling long distances, rental prices can add up. 
• Length of Transport: If you need to haul your fishing boat for multiple days, you must add the cost of lodging, gas, and food. Also, consider the duration of your trip, as federal guidelines prevent you from spending more than eight hours on the road per day. For example, if you’re taking your boat from Miami to Malibu, the trip will take 5-6 days; that’s 15-18 meals, at least five hotels, and almost $500 in gas. If your car or trailer has any unexpected problems, you’ll also need to pay for repairs, accommodations, and food while you wait.
• Size of Boat: If you’re hauling a boat over 8’6” in width, you will need a permit for ground transportation. And, if it’s over 12’ in width, you will need to hire a certified escort car, which can cost $450 per day, plus lodging for the driver. 

Let’s add it up. Say you’ve got a 30 ft center console pursuit. If you’re traveling from Miami to California (6 days), buying a trailer, and hiring an escort, you might pay over $8,000. You should also consider the distance and personal time required for long-distance boat hauling.

Fishing Boat Delivery Services

Though boat delivery companies make transportation accessible for all boat owners hauling over any distance, their utility is unmatched in catering to larger boats, antique boats, and more extended cross-country and international transportation needs. You must choose between open and enclosed shipping when selecting your delivery service.

While open shipping is usually the cost-effective method and is easier to arrange, it also exposes your boat to the elements. Since most boat trailers on the market are open trailers, most people who transport their boats themselves use the open shipping method. Though it may mean using a transportation company, enclosed shipping will protect your boat from the elements and mitigate the risk of damage. 

Shiplux’s enclosed shipping is perfect for large boats and antique boats. It always comes with our white-glove guarantee: your fishing boat will arrive in the same condition it was when we loaded it.

Choose the Right Fishing Boat Transportation Company

So, you’ve investigated the pros and cons of transporting your boat yourself and have decided that using a transportation company will make your life easier without hurting your wallet too much. Now you need to choose the right boat transportation company for your needs. 

Here’s a little checklist to help you select the best boat transportation company:

• Does the company have the proper permits? 
• Does the company have a reassuring track record when hauling fishing boats? 
• Are the company’s employees highly trained and experienced SPECIFICALLY in boat transportation?
• Does the company offer white-glove service?
• Can the company accommodate your timeline?

Any reputable boat transportation company should be able to provide complete answers to all of these questions. If they can’t answer one or more of the questions, you should hang up and search for a better company, like Shiplux. 

Our team is full of experts in fishing boat transportation. We always use the proper permits, are rated 4.4 stars on Google Reviews, and offer white-glove service, always striving to accommodate your timeline and individual needs. 

Still worried about the price? No problem! Fill out this form to receive a free estimate.

Or, to start your boat transport journey immediately, call us at (888) 530-0334.