A houseboat is a great thing to own. You can even rent one for family vacations as these are available quite easily in certain areas. If you are among the ones who are lucky enough to own a houseboat, it may be a little difficult to transport it from one place to another from time to time.
If you are trying to figure out this issue and can’t seem to find much information about it then you are in the right place.
Transporting a houseboat is relatively simple and a job that can easily be done by yourself or hired out however it is quite expensive to do so most of the time. The farther you are trying to take the houseboat the more expensive it becomes as well.
How easy it is to transport a houseboat really depends on the size. Smaller houseboats are relatively easy to take in and out of the water and it can often be done by just using a trailer but houseboats that are larger are virtually impossible to get in and out of the water without a considerable operation and a lot of expenses.
It is actually not that difficult to move a smaller houseboat and can be done quite easily too in most circumstances. If you want to lessen the unnecessary headache of transporting your houseboat, then do make sure to read till the end of this article.
How to transport a houseboat
Moving your houseboat can be a little difficult and also costly simply because the size and weight of a houseboat are quite high which results in higher prices to simply move the boat from one waterway to another but moving it across the state or across the country is even more expensive!
It is important that you consider using an expert for doing the job as this is the only way your boat will truly be safe from getting damaged if it is too large to be moved on a boat trailer. You must not chade after saving a few extra bucks but you should rather focus on the quality of services provided by them.
It is a huge decision to make so make sure that you go through all the companies providing these services in your area and if you have a larger houseboat you shouldn’t try and do it yourself either.
The last thing that you want to do when moving your houseboat is to destroy it accidentally by trying to save some money!
Choose a Professional
It is quite important to have not choose an expert so that you get only the best service and don’t have to worry about your houseboat being destroyed by an a meteor. Choosing a professional will undoubtedly cost you more than hiring someone with little or no experience but it will ensure that your houseboat is kept safe during transport.
While choosing someone to move your houseboat, make sure to ask all the necessary questions regarding the transport so that you can make an informed decision.
Price is one of the basic factors to be considered but it shouldn’t be the only thing that you consider. While choosing someone or a company, do make sure to go through their history to know all about the type of services they provide as well as what other jobs they have done in the past.
This will also give you a fair idea on what their success rate is and if the property has been damaged by the movers in the past. Customer reviews and ratings act as a great guide in such a case.
Necessary Equipment
Most of the houseboats that people use are quite big and will require professional and high-quality equipment to help the move go smoothly and to prevent accidents from happening. Once you choose your movers, you will want to make sure that they own all the necessary equipment which will support the move. This includes enough staff members to assist the transport, the proper hooks, ropes, etc. to lift up the houseboat and the proper equipment to keep it on the trailer safely.
You should also ensure that the size of their trailer and truck are big enough to carry your whole houseboat without any problem. Their trailers should also be from a trusted brand which ensures that your property will be safe with them as well as in good condition. The weight matters a lot so you should discuss the weight and other such factors beforehand to ensure the smoothest moving process possible.
For obvious reasons, these companies will charge you a pretty high price but you don’t need to worry as you can talk to them about possible discount offers and other deals they might be running. Before making a final deal with the company, make sure that all the prices they are charging are transparent and there are no hidden charges.
Do your part of the research properly so that you end up getting a great price and there aren’t any surprises when it comes to paying the final bill.
You can also look online for more movers who can assist the move if your houseboat is particularly large or if you feel like you can handle most everything on your own but want a little backup.
Different companies will charge different prices so go through the process with each of them to find the best deal possible. You can also consult someone from your local marina to get a better idea about these companies and which would be best. Whatever the case might be, don’t rush into making a decision and take your time before making your final decision about the company.
Factors to be considered before transporting the houseboat
You can leave everything in the hands of the professionals you choose but you will want to make sure to double-check that your decision is right so that you don’t end up regretting later. It is important to do some preparations on your part for the move and although they are quite easy and can be done single-handedly too they are still important.
Do make sure that your houseboat has the necessary license and the trailer as well. Without the license and adequate documents, you may get into trouble later on. If you don’t have the license then need dont worry as you can get one easily but don’t risk making the move without one.
Do go through all the details mentioned in the contract from the transportation company carefully. Going through them is important as you may notice some unwanted details in there and can take action immediately. If you wait until a problem comes up to notice an issue with the contract you could be in a lot of trouble.
Some companies also provide refunds for a few things. So go your contract carefully to ensure that you get your rightful refunds in case of any damages caused during the transport. It is your right to ask for those refunds but you have to know about them by actually doing your research.
All of the loose items like an anchor and other items on board must be kept safe and if possible they should be moved separately. You should make sure that those don’t cause any hindrance during the move.
Make sure that the engine oil doesn’t leak or cause any damage to the houseboat. You should also disconnect the batteries to avoid any damage to the houseboat during the move.
Make sure to lock the doors and windows properly so that no unwanted materials enter the houseboat during the transit or the doors and windows don’t swing open. This will also ensure that no unwanted damage happens to the furniture or interior of your houseboat.
Lights and signs may affect the houseboat during transit if the height is too much. So if you are moving the houseboat yourself you should plan a route with fewer of these so that these don’t damage it. If you hire professional movers they should take care of this part for you.
These few tips will help to ensure that your houseboat move goes smoothly and as planned. Your houseboat is a great place to hang out and chill, so you will certainly want to make sure to take good care of it.
A move can be expensive but when you get the desired results, it is all worth it in the end. So make a smart decision by following all the instructions provided carefully and enjoy the new location of your houseboat!
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