5 Unconventional Tips To Be Considered Before Shipping Your Boat Internationally

by Thomas Elena Boating Education

The shipping companies involved in shipping your boat internationally do a lot of preparations and planning for transporting boats overseas from the USA to any destination across the world.

It is very important to discuss this with a company involved in international boat shipping professionally as they plan a lot to execute your overseas boat transportation more conveniently.

Connecticut Boating has suggested below mentioned tips to be considered before shipping your boat internationally:

Tip-1: Your Boat’s dimension decides the shipping cost, so measure it carefully

Your boat’s shipping cost is decided by calculating the dimension of the boat, so, it is advised to get your boat measured from each dimension including the exact length, height, width, along with the bow platforms, swim platforms, motors, or any protruding parts that may extend the exterior dimensions.

You need the boat measurements because you may require special permits from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and because the shipper needs to know what type of handling to use. The permitted height for transporting boats on the road is 13ft 6”- that means that the boat has to be at most about 12ft high. And as far as larger boats are considered, there is more clearance required. Boats that are over 8”6’ wide are considered oversize load and require special road transport permits.

However, DOT rules vary from state to state.

Tip-2: Prepare your boat for damage free shipping in cold weather

Prepare your boat for winter basically refers to the removal of all electronic devices and water or oil from the boat. Remove all propellers, lights, antennas, electronics, anchor, and valuable items and store safely below. Secure all cabinets, covers. Remove all fuel. Disconnect batteries. Latch and tape cabin windows. Remove any cargo out of your boat. Empty all the water out of the boat, including the drain plugs and air conditioner. Clean the exterior of your boat. Wrap your boat in plastic wrap or canvas to protect it from bumps.

However, you can protect your boat made of wood by applying a coat of linseed oil to prevent it from drying. You may consider having it transported on its own custom cradle.

Basically, this process is followed to avoid any damage during the transportation of your boat.

Tip-3: Arrange the shipping cost and expenditure details from your agent

Arrange the shipping cost and expenditure details from your agent, such as-

1. Types of transportation.

2. Boat- Pick up details.

3. Trailer Transportation details.

For ease in transporting your boat, find out & clear all the customs clearance, port fees, and taxes that may be due in the country the boat is being shipped to. Doing this practice in advance would be convenient especially for International yacht shipping.

Tip-4: Prepare the necessary documents in advance

Preparation of all the necessary documents in advance reduces the last time pressure that pressurizes you to complete it within a short span of time to avoid being delay.

For this process, Contact the embassy of the country where the boat is being shipped, find out all the customs regulations and documentation that is to be completed by you for smooth transportation.

Generally, your boat transport specialist will assist you with all the paperwork to ensure your documentation and boat is prepared and helps you with each step of the boat transportation process.

Tip-5: Get a Safe Boating Certificate

In order to reduce the injury caused to persons and damages to the property due to the use of recreational boats, It is important for the Boaters to have a Safe Boating Certificate and the world at large out on the water to have Boating Safety Education. Boaters can keep themselves and their crew safe by learning about responsible boat operation, etiquette, and the rules of the waterways. Boaters can learn about all of these important subjects through approved boat safety education courses and the family can gain such knowledge by joining several informative classes such as Private Family Boating Classes.

Contact Connecticut Boating Certificate LLC, for more information on the Safe Boating Certificate and ct Boating License course, and many more.