Relocating a boat from one place to another is a harassing task. That's why you need proper planning to ship your vessel, where the boat shipping cost calculator comes in handy. In this guide, we are going to discuss what a boat shipping cost calculator is and how it's useful for boat owners.
What is a Boat Shiping Cost Calculator?
One may think of a boat shipping cost calculator as an assistant. This is an online tool that is supposed to figure out or estimate the shipping cost of a boat from point A to point B through several calculations. This tool helps in providing a proper budget for transportation by boat owners, dealers, and transport companies for the vessel.
How does a Cost Calculator for Boat Shipping work?
Estimating the cost of shipping boats with a cost calculator is quite an easy procedure. You simply need to fill in some details about the shipment and get it done. The calculator will estimate a cost for shipping based on the details you input and various cost factors. These are the details you will have to fill in.
- Enter the boat details, such as boat type, weight, and dimensions.
- Provide the details of the pickup and delivery location, including address and zip code.
- Some calculators ask about any additional services or unique requirements.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Boat?
The cost, however, is determined by a number of factors, including the size of the boat and the distance of shipping. The estimated cost in transporting a boat of a size of 12 feet could be around $2 to $4 per mile, depending on a number of factors.
Factors Affecting the Shipping Cost of a Boat
Some of the key cost-affecting factors are mentioned herein:
- Size and weight of the boat: The size and weight of a boat contribute a lot to the cost of shipment. Larger and heavier boats are bound to be more costly in shipping since they take larger spaces and present a bigger logistic challenge.
- Shipping Distance: The distance between where the boat is being picked up and delivered also contributes to the cost. Generally speaking, longer distances imply higher shipping costs because of the fuel and labor involved, among other shipping logistics.
- Types of Transportation: Boats may be transported in any number of ways, either by open transport in cheap or enclosed transport with utmost protection.
- Pick-up and Delivery Locations: The cost of transportation also depends on the accessibility of locations from where the boat has to be picked up and delivered. Inaccessible or remote locations with difficult access may have additional charges.
- Season and Time: The seasons may affect the cost of shipment. The rates can be somewhat high during peak seasons of the year as the demand for shipment services would also be very high during such time. During off-season, the rate may be a little lower, however.
- Extra Services: More services aside from pure shipments like insuring, loading, and unloading services and express shipments hike the overall bill for shipment.
Advantages of Using the Cost Calculator
A cost calculator helps an individual decide on the costs involved in shipping a boat, either for personal use, relocation, or sales. Here are some of the main benefits listed in this regard:
- Time-effective: Manually getting quotes from various transport companies can drain a lot of your time. Using an online Cots calculator saves you time and energy.
- Budgeting: The boat shipping cost that you get from the coat calculator will help in budget planning.
- Cost comparison: Most companies availed of this online tool free of cost. You collect estimates from multiple transporters and choose the best pricing.
- Transparency: Calculators, in most cases, break down the shipping cost of the boat for clarity on what you pay for.
Tips for Utilizing a Cost Calculator While Shipping a Boat
Certain advantages are attached with using a cost calculator, and using it rightly can get you the best deal for boat shipping. Certain tips are mentioned here to guide you regarding the cost calculator:
1. Enter accurate details:
- Provide accurate boat details.
- Use precise pickup and delivery locations.
2. Choose the correct transport:
- Select the best-suited shipping method. (Eg. Open and enclosed transport.)
- Include any extra services if needed.
3. Review cost:
- Check the calculated cost and what it includes.
- Be aware of additional costs.
4. Compare estimates:
- Acquire multiple estimates from different cost calculators to find the best deal.
- Verify with shipping companies for accurate quotes.
5. Seasonal costs:
- Shipping cost fluctuates throughout the year, so plan ahead.
- Choose off-season to find the best service at the best price.
Conclusion
A boat shipping cost calculator gives you a quicker way to pre-determine an estimated cost of shipment. With accurate information and an understanding of what is covered under the quote, plus the possibilities of additional costs, you are already on the right track for preparing and estimating the shipment cost of your boat.