Are you getting your yacht ready for a summer holiday? Shipping it to your destination is the best way to ensure that it arrives safely and on time. Here are some top tips to help you ship your yacht successfully.
Hire Reputable Services
It’s essential that you put your expensive boat into safe hands which will then charter it over to your desired destination. People are always looking for expert yacht transport services in order to have peace of mind when it comes to the safe and secure transportation of their yachts. Hiring a reputable service will not only help you avoid nasty surprises but also ensure that your vessel arrives in one piece at its final destination.
When hiring a transport company, make sure to take some basic steps to ensure that it is reputable. You should check customer reviews or ask for referrals from trusted sources. Additionally, make sure to ask the company questions such as what kind of experience they have with transporting yachts and inquire about their licensing and insurance. A good transport company will be able to provide evidence of all these things.
Prepare For Transit
You need to be extra careful while preparing your yacht for transit to its destination. That’s because preparing for transit is more than just putting your boat on a trailer and towing it away.
Before preparing your vessel, check the hull of the boat to make sure there are no cracks or any damage that would affect transportation. If you find any irregularities, repair them before preparing the boat for transit.
You should also, secure all loose items which include furniture and other possessions inside the boat so they don’t get damaged while in transit. Additionally, remove or unfurl sails and cover the boat for protection from dirt, dust, and debris.
Choose The Right Shipping Method
You’ll have a range of choices when it comes to shipping your yacht over to another destination. These are the following:
- Sea Freight
- Air Freight
- Road Freight
- Trucking
- Rail Freight
- Inland Waterways
Your choice depends on where you’re going, as well as how quickly you need to get the yacht there. If time is not a factor, choosing sea freight will likely be the most cost-effective option.
Keep In Touch
Always maintain contact with the company that will be transporting your yacht to its destination. If something arises during the voyage, this can make all the difference. Make sure to keep a detailed record of any conversations had with the company and/or crew, as well as any agreements made regarding the transport of your yacht. The more information you have on hand, the easier it will be to ensure a successful shipping experience.
Buy Insurance
For added peace of mind, buying insurance for your yacht is a great way to ensure that it arrives at its destination safely. Insurance will cover any damage or loss of the yacht if something were to happen during shipping. It’s important to make sure you look into different policies before buying one, as they provide different levels of coverage depending on the company.
Look into what type of coverage is right for you, such as full insurance that covers your yacht and its cargo, or just coverage on the hull of the yacht itself. You can also purchase additional coverages, like marine liability or third-party coverages.
Inspect Before Shipping
It’s also recommended to run a thorough inspection of the yacht before shipping. This kind of inspection can help to identify any weak points in the structure, such as rust spots, cracks, and other potential damage that could result in further problems during transit.
It’s also important to check on electrical systems and mechanical parts, as well as inspect the hull for signs of marine growth like barnacles. Doing this ahead of time can prevent issues down the line and make sure your boat is ready for a safe journey when it comes time to ship it out. Additionally, this will give you an opportunity to make any necessary repairs or upgrades.
Prepare Your Documentation
Make sure to also have all the necessary paperwork prepared before preparing your yacht for shipment. This is especially important if you plan to ship your boat to another country. You need to have the proper documentation ready and approved by the authorities in the destination country, or else you won’t be able to get it there safely.
To make sure that everything goes smoothly, contact a professional shipper and discuss the requirements. A good one will be able to provide you with guidance on preparing the documents as well as any additional paperwork that may need to be completed.
The well-being and quick transport of your yacht ultimately come down to the company you choose, so make sure to pick wisely. Prepare the boat and choose a shipping method fitting for you. Keep in touch with the company to track the progress and buy insurance to make sure there are no unexpected losses at the end. Finally, make sure to inspect the yacht before shipping it and prepare your documents beforehand!