- How about racing it across the ocean yourself? Is this even an option?
- Boat handling under adverse conditions
- Meeting head seas
- Heaving to
- Running in the trough
When shipping a boat or anything else for that matter, you want to hire the most affordable transporter in the market. However, remember that cheap can sometimes end up being very costly; especially when you’re dealing with sensitive automotives like boats. Beyond the price, look out for these things when choosing a transporter.
- Is the transporter bonded & licensed? – Regardless of what you are shipping, you want it to get to its destination safely and promptly. For the sake of your peace of mind, you need to go for a shipping company that is bonded, licensed, and has a great record of customer satisfaction. When a company is licensed, it means that it has agreed to abide by the standards and values set by the governing authority. For added validity, a shipping company that is a member of a shipping association is a great plus. Associations keep companies accountable and also provide training to keep their members up to date.
- Requirements & fees – Go for a shipping company that has reasonable requirements and one that also offers the most value for your bucks. Some shipping services have unreasonable and prohibitive requirements that are not client-friendly. A shipping company should be willing to negotiate; they should also have various packages for cheap boat shipping.
- Background & references - Before signing a shipping contract, get the shipping company’s list of previous clients and top executives and request for testimonials from the customers. If the company has been in the industry for more than eight years, then they know their way around the business of shipping so you can trust them.
- Build a good relationship - Some shipping companies offer discounts to repeat clients. For cheap boat shipping, use the same company and enjoy the discounts. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll end up saving over time.
How about racing it across the ocean yourself? Is this even an option?
You may decide to race your boat across the ocean to your destination. Although this option is not absolutely impossible, it’s a risky one. But, if you love the thrill, then learning these things will keep you going amidst the high waves.
Boat handling under adverse conditions
Adverse weather conditions are one of the challenges you’ll face. Remember, the size of your boat has nothing much to do with its seaworthiness. How it will handle heavy weather has everything to do with how it's built and its design- and your skills too. First, never venture into waters that are beyond your boat capabilities. Secondly, if you’re inexperienced, reconsider riding your boat across the seas- not a good idea at all.
Meeting head seas
If you’re confident about moving the boat to its destination, slow down when in a moderate sea. This will help you ride your boat above the waves rather than cutting the through into them. If the conditions get worse, slow down and position your boat at a 45°angle of to the swells. The more you reduce the speed, the lesser the strain will be on the super structure and the hull. Further, don’t keep pounding the boat as this may break the windows or ports running the danger of leaking water into the boat.
Heaving to
If the sea conditions become too violent, consider heaving to. This maneuver varies in the type of boat. Of essence, here is to keep the bow slightly off the wave action. If you’re using a power boat, bring a bow just in case you need to conserve fuel. If fuel becomes a real concern, you could consider using a sea anchor to keep the bow into the wave action with no power necessary.
Running in the trough
If you’re running in the direction of the trough of waves in your course, you need to take extra caution. If the boat bounces up and down and from trough to trough, it may end up rolling excessively and dangerously. The best action here is to change the course and take the wind and waves at a 45° angle. The zig-zag course should help keep your boat in the trough for only long enough to make a turn. Th idea here is to minimize the time spent in the trough to prevent broaching.
As pointed out in this article, your best bet is to avoid heavy weather, but if you can't, you should be prepared. But, instead of all these risks and hassles, the best bet would be to get a cheap boat shipping service from a reputable transporter - they do exist
For cheap boat shipping solutions, feel free to contact us. We are always willing to fit into our client’s budgets.