boat shipping rates: a careful planner's guide

What drives the numbers

Pricing is built from measurable facts. Quotes shift as details firm up.

Dimensions and weight: length, beam, height, draft, and trailerability.
Route and season: weather windows, peak lanes, and port congestion.
Mode: overland, RoRo, flat rack, cradle, or sling lift.
Permits and escorts for oversize moves.
Prep work and insurance: de-rigging, shrink-wrap, battery and fuel requirements.

Documentation completeness matters: title, bill of sale, and power of attorney can pace customs and port release.

Step-by-step estimating

Measure accurately; include antennas, arches, and trailers.
Pick the mode for risk tolerance, not just price.
Check port and road rules at both ends.
Ask for a written quote with validity dates and a clear scope.
Confirm exclusions: lifts, storage, customs, and taxes.
Buffer for weather and rollovers; bind cargo insurance.

Real-world checkpoint

Last August, a 28-foot center console from Fort Lauderdale to Valencia looked cheaper mid-month; a storm watch added a surcharge. Waiting one week helped, but storage fees clawed back part of the savings.

Reading the quote

Split base freight from add-ons - fuel, congestion, cranes, documentation, currency, after-hours. If it is not listed, it is not included.

Common add-ons to verify

Lift-in/lift-out and cradle rental.
Shrink-wrap, mast removal, re-commissioning.
Customs clearance, inspections, brokerage.

Long-term impact

Well-prepared boats see fewer delays. Careful measurements, conservative scheduling, and documented handoffs reduce total cost over time, even if the initial rate is not the lowest. Reusable cradles and thorough photo inventories pay off at resale and during claims.