Prepare Your Boat - Marine Transport Preparation Guide

First and foremost, please Have Your Boat Prepared for transport BEFORE The Driver Arrives on the day of pickup. Please arrive to the pick-up point early, so that the driver is not waiting. You or your agent and the driver will make an assessment of the boat's exterior, and then fill out a Condition Report, which both parties sign. This will help protect you and our driver from any claims that are made about new damages after the boat arrives at its destination. At delivery, the boat is inspected again; the condition report signed again, and a final copy will be given to you or your agent. Any new damages must be noted on the final bill when you or your agent accepts delivery of the vessel.

Motorboat and Sailboat Preparation Guide - Safeguard Your Boat For Transport!

Remember, your boat will be subject to strong wind during transport, so you will want your boat to be prepared. Choose pick-up and drop-off locations with at least a 14' clearance so that we can safely transport your boat without the interference of wires and tree branches. The legal loaded height for transporting over the road is 13' 6. If your boat loads higher, a cargo surcharge will be added to final bill. If either location no clear access, we cannot accept responsibility for damage caused by branches or wires. Good preparation is the best protection you have against any possible damages.

EVERYTHING WE LIST BELOW - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR! NJ BOAT MOVER AND OUR DRIVERS WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE DUE TO YOU NOT PROPERLY PREPARING YOUR BOAT FOR TRANSPORT! FOLLOW THESE STEPS AND PROTECT YOUR BOAT. QUESTIONS / CONCERNS ASK NOW

1. SECURE All HATCHES and WINDOWS / Windshields
Windows and hatches should be locked tightly shut and then taped or tied down securely from the outside. For those of you with a protruding windshield or fly-bridge window, we strongly suggest you remove it and wrap inside of a blanket and secure inside the cabin. Hatches can blow off during transport! Just latching from the inside will not protect your boat. Mother nature is also a constant threat. If your windows or hatches are leaky or aren't secured properly and we drive into a torrential downpour, the interior of the boat may be compromised. We also suggest removing windshields and plexiglass because plastic can not withstand the wind pressure..

2. Cabin INTERIOR - Securely Pack ALL Interior Loose Boat Gear
Anything that is not bolted down in your cabin will move. Protect your belongings by securely packing and stowing anything that may move during transport inside of protective blankets or bubble wrap. Tape up all cupboards and drawers and choose a location to stow the cabins gear. We suggest you secure your interior first so you set aside room for all of the external accessories and canvas that will also be stored inside of the cabin. You are responsible for any damages caused by gear not properly stowed. When you are finished packing, just lock the cabin and keep the key. Please do not give the key to the driver! They may forget to leave it with the boat!

3. EXTERIOR - Remove and Securely Pack ALL External Electronics and Deck Items
Anything that you can remove from the exterior of your boat should be detached and stowed securely in your cabin. This includes propellers, spinnaker poles, outriggers, flag masts, anchors, antennas, all marine electronics, radar, hailers, lights, etc. Also please disconnect your batteries and secure inside the cabin. During transit it is possible for anything and everything to shake, rattle, and roll, and you guessed it, eventually vibrate off and cause damage. Once again, Good preparation is the best protection you have against any possible damages.

4. FUEL TANKS, HOLDING and WATER TANK PREPARATION
Less is best when it comes to fuel, water and safe marine transport. For safety and weight concerns your fuel tanks must be less than a third full and all water tanks the same or preferably empty. This not only protects our drivers, your boat is also much safer, especially in the winter months. Think about the damage a chunk of ice in your water tanks, air conditioners or bilge might do during transport. Take a few minutes to drain all water and this problem will never occur. Holding tanks should also be emptied to prevent any spillage during transport.

5. CANVAS / BIMINI TOPS / SHRINK WRAP / TARPS
Canvas covers and bimini tops must be removed and stored below. The wind will most likely either tear or sometimes shred your canvas top, or send it flying off somewhere on I-95 you probably wont be visiting anytime soon. If you don't remove your canvas, the risk is on your shoulders. PLEASE REMOVE ALL CANVAS!

As far as shrink wrap and tarps are concerned, we have no problem transporting wrapped boats and do everything possible to make sure any tears are repaired with shrinkwrap tape during transport at the first sign of tearing. This is always a concern of ours when transporting wrapped boats. Our drivers will make repairs to your chosen wrap until it becomes impossible to repair. We must then remove your tarp or shrink wrap to avoid damage caused from the constant thrashing against the side of your vessel. Unless it is very late at night, dispatch will contact you to inform you of the current situation. Shrink wrap is not always the way to go unfortunately.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAILBOATS - LARGE POWERBOATS and YACHTS

SIZE MATTERS! -
13 Feet 6 inches (136") (4.1 meters) is the legal loaded height for transporting anything over MOST roads. This means that sailboat masts, fly-bridges, radar arches, anything over 13', must be removed before transport unless we agree on a safe, legal alternative route in advance. Alternate routes will add additional costs due to police escorts and each states permits and the extra time needed for backroad travel.

Pretty easy.. If your vessel is over 13 feet, you need to remove whatever it is that is breaking the height restriction. Obviously sailboat masts must be removed and all of the riggings, masthead lights, wind indicators, spreaders etc need to be securely packed and stowed inside the cabin. Your Sailboats mast should be wrapped in plastic also to protect during transport since it will be secured on the trailer next to your boat. Please also carpet tie down points. A recent trend for many sailboat owners banking on a damage free transport is visiting their local carpet stores and purchasing carpet remnants to completely cover their masts. Many sailboat owner have found that covering their entire mast with carpet stopped any damage attributed to rubbing and road debris by 99%. Worth a try!

Fly Bridges have to have a cradle built for the bridge to be shipped in on the forward deck or cockpit area. Every point touching the deck or rails must be sufficiently padded.

AVOID DAMAGE! - PREPARE YOUR BOAT CORRECTLY! ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY!

BAD STRAPS OR CHAINS	BIG HILLS & BAD BRAKES	NEW BOAT ON RUSTY TRAILER

THE ABOVE IMAGES ARE NOT OURS! WE HAVE A 100% SAFETY RECORD! DONT BECOME A STATISTIC! BE SMART& USE US FOR YOUR BOAT HAULING NEEDS!

Prepare Your Boat - Marine Transport Preparation Guide

Our Drivers Will Carry Out a Detailed Condition Report Before and After Transport

Motorboat and Sailboat Preparation Guide - Safeguard Your Boat For Transport!