Moving a Boat Overseas
When you are planning on moving to an international location, it seems pretty clear how to get your items to the new spot. You have to make sure and pack them properly, and then let the moving company take care of the rest. What is not always clear, is how to transport any vehicles that you own, especially if you own a boat. While it is possible to transport a boat, there are some things that you should know.
The truth is, moving a boat overseas is not all the different from moving a car or other land vehicle. There are different options available to you. You could use enclosed trailer moving, flat rack moving, roll-on/roll-off moving, or submersion. The most common method is the roll-on/roll-off method. For this type, the moving company will measure the height of your boat, which determines the price, and will place it in a container for the entire journey. The enclosed trailer method is similar, but the company will charge you for the entire dimension of the container. This may seem more expensive, but if your boat fits perfectly into the container, it can actually be the cheaper way to go. Flat rack shipments are for large vessels, where it is placed on its own customized cradle. All of these types of shipments assume that your boat will be transported on a trailer. If you plan on loading and unloading your boat directly from the water, then you will want to use submersion moving. No matter which method you choose, you will want to make sure that you have the necessary documentation in advance of your shipment.
More Things You Should Know
The next thing you will need to understand, is who is actually going to be moving your boat, and what to do to make sure that it is ready for shipment. Chances are, you will be using a freight forwarding company to handle the shipment of your boat. Freight forwarding companies specialize in moving items overseas, and dealing with customs agents. They know exactly how to secure items safely, and so they will be free of damage. They are also certified to handle shipments internationally, so you can be assured that everything will be handled legally. You could also go to a yacht broker, who will act as a liaison between you and the moving company and will handle the processes for you.
To make sure your boat is ready for shipment, there are some things that you should do. First, you should winterize your boat. This will help protect the interior from any damage that might occur, as well as the engine. You could also try to use materials to help protect your boat, such as shrink wrap, or a high quality cover. The most important thing you will need to do though, is get any paperwork together and ready to go for your shipment. You can contact the American embassy, or the customs agency in the country you are moving to, to get all of the paperwork you will need for your move. Last, you will want to get insurance for the shipment, just in case something were to go wrong.
