Riding a boat on a river or lake is truly an indescribable experience. The silence that is disturbed only by the operation of the engine, the beautiful nature that changes while sailing, and the incredible dose of relaxation that comes with this adventure are real perfection. It is not surprising that more and more residents choose rivers and lakes in our country instead of going to distant destinations.
However, before you set sail from the shore, you must transport your boat. The problem becomes even more complicated if you have never done it before. What is the weight of the boat? Which vehicle can safely tow? What is the price of the transport service for the boats? These are just some of the questions you may have.
To avoid this dilemma, we are here to make it easier for you and tell you how to transport your boat safely in the best way.
Is Transporting a Boat the Same as Transporting a Broken-Down Vehicle?
The first difference you will notice when transporting a boat is how much acceleration you need compared to transporting a car. The reason for that lies in the fact that the weight of the loaded boat makes it difficult to install heavy towing equipment. Therefore, developing speed is more difficult.
Another difference is the time period for transporting the boat. Even if it is equipped with surge or electric brakes, stopping will probably take much longer. So you will have to consider how much it takes to slow down or stop your equipment on the road. This means having to provide extra space when accelerating to get into traffic or passing another vehicle, as well as maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Also, when you need to slow down due to a turn or stop at a traffic light, toll booth, or even anywhere in traffic, you need to provide enough space to do so without over-braking at the last minute.
Should the Transporting of the Boat Be Left to Professionals?
Towing and transporting boats and speedboats is a delicate job, and if you do not have experience, it is not recommended to do the towing yourself. A better option is to call a professional company for towing and transporting boats so that everything is in order.
In addition to knowledge and experience, adequate equipment is required, including connections, breaking the cable, or a secondary connector. As boat owners often do not have towing equipment, they must rent one. You are probably wondering how much it costs to transport a boat, and you might think that the price is huge, but have no doubt that it will cost you much more to do it yourself than with the help of professionals. The costs of transporting the boat on your own are significantly higher, and the risk of damage is high because it is not handled by a professional.
How to Prepare a Boat for Transportation?
The first step in preparation is knowing the weight of the boat. The choice of transport vehicles also depends on that. Namely, boats weighing about 1,500 kg, such as ski models, small fishing boats, or boats without power, can be transported by a large SUV. While for those with heavier weights, around 4,000 kg, a transport truck is necessary.
To ensure the safe transport of the boat, you must check everything inside it. Unnecessary things, such as forgotten personal items, are best taken out. Be sure to tie the rest of the equipment. This applies to seat cushions, life jackets, accessories… Then check if there is anything left under the seat.
The boat’s tank should be empty during barge and transport. It is mandatory to drain the fuel before the barge. Pouring fuel is also in your interest because the boat and speedboat that are on the berth must not have fuel in the tank.
Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and the operation of the light on the transport trailer.
Taking the Boat off the Water
You need to get your boat or speedboat out of the water. A winch and truck cables are used for this. Pulling the boat out of the water can only be done if there is access to the truck. Most marinas and harbors have a boat tow system, so you can probably pull them out as well.
Boats are expensive investments, so be very careful when transporting them. Once again, we will advise you to turn to professionals for this job, because the last thing you want is to damage it.