Q. Im about to have my boat picked up for transport. How should I prepare my boat so it can be transported safely?

A. Boating is hugely popular in North America. Millions of people have to transport their personal watercraft over land for reasons. May it be repair, moving, or a change in ownership? Making sure that your personal watercraft is transported safely should be top priority. The lack of caution in transporting anything of this nature can be highly dangerous. Preparation for travel is something that is far too often over looked in the grand scheme of things.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to remove anything that could come off or get damaged during transportation. From various accessories like external electronics, to horns, radar, GPS, propellers and so on. The boat transporter will not be liable or responsible for any damage sustained during travel due to unsecured items. If you have a cabin, keep it locked if possible. All batteries should be secured and disconnected. All water and fuel tanks should be drained. Ensure that all drain plugs are removed from the hull and verify that there is no water in the bilge. If during winter it’s of good practice to drain the water from the pumps, air conditioners and water systems.

As you can see transporting your boat or vessel can take a bit of time but with a little preparation and the right knowledge you can almost guarantee that your boat transport experience goes off without a hitch.