PowerBoat Transport Preparation Guide
This page is designed to address some of the most common questions concerned in decommissioning a Powerboat Transport. For the most part it is all common sense.
Boat Transport Questions & Answers!
The first thing to keep in mind is the bottom of the boat needs to clean of all grass and living organisms. This can usually be accomplished by pressure washing the Boat bottom when the boat comes out of the water on the travel lift. To one degree or another most of the states have laws regarding Transporting Boats from one state to another with live plants or organisms attached to the bottom. Some states go as far as to inspect through hull fittings and such. These inspections are done when we as Boat Haulers enter a state and have to go through the port of entry, or the first scale house. Washington State even has a certified individual whom is on call to do an inspection if the need arises, and this is determined when the Boat is entering the state.
Some of the things that need to be removed because they do not travel well are canvas, venturi’s, some antennas, anchors, and loose articles in the cockpit or bridge. Electronic heads should be unplugged and stowed below in a locker. If the venturi does not have a solid frame, it should be removed for Transport, as they just do not stand up to going down the road at 55 miles per hour. They like to crack around the fastener holes and can be costly. Antennas need to be securely taped or lashed to minimize movement. Television antennas are not very well built in regards to how sturdy they are. We recommend removing them all together when decommissioning a Boat Transport Anchors unless very securely lashed to minimize movement should be removed and secured below.
Powerboat Hauling presents its own set of issues when considering Moving your Boat. The main issue is the overall height of the boat. The height of the Powerboat is a main consideration when not only working up a quote for Transport but also the route used in Transporting your Boat from one Marina to the next. All the states transited in the Transportation of your Boat will have their own laws and rules that will be levied upon us as Boat Haulers when applying for permits. But a good general rule is fourteen feet tall in most states and thirteen and a half tall in the northeastern states. When a Boat is loaded and surpasses those heights the state will require a Pole Car to run with us enroute. There are times when the Boat needs to be disassembled for shipping to keep the height as low as possible. To reduce the overall height sometimes the running gear, props, shafts, struts, and rudders need to be removed. There are times when the fly bridge will need to be removed for Transporting.
We as Boat Haulers are not concerned with fuel in your Boat until the weight of the Boat is getting close to 35,000 lbs. At that time we will require that the fuel be removed. Another circumstance when the fuel should be removed is when the boat is constructed of wood. The additional weight of fuel or water tanks could present a problem so we recommend removing the fuel and water in Powerboats or Sailboats constructed in wood prior to loading the Boat on a trailer for Transport. Boat Transport.
Another question that arises in regards to Powerboat Transport and Hauling in general is the need for Shrink Wrapping. Please read this section if you have any questions or concerns.
We sincerely hope this section has alleviated most of the questions you may have concerning the Preparation of Powerboats for Transport. Most of the information also pertains to Yacht Transport.
360.414.8888
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