Small boat transport costs an average of $2.25 per mile when shipped overland, while large boat transport runs $3 to $4 per mile. A small boat — any vessel under 66 feet in length — can typically be hauled on a standard trailer, keeping costs low. Large boats over 65 feet require specialized semi trailers or flat rack trailers, which significantly increases the price. This guide breaks down the costs, methods, and timelines for shipping both small and large boats, and explains how to find a reliable transporter.
Boating season is upon us. And for those that have boats, we want to take them out for a spin. Whether you live in San Diego or in New Mexico, you may find yourself needing a way to ship your boat to a body of water. Understand that there are some significant difference between small boat transportation and moving a large boat or yacht.
Or maybe you just want to repair your boat. There aren’t any boat repair shops in your neck of the woods? You can ship your boat to a place where it’s possible.
Whatever the reason you may have to want to ship your boat, this article will give you a rundown of small boat transportation and large boat transport. They are not the same thing, but after reading this article, the questions you may have will have been answered.
What is Classified as a Small Boat?
You may think there is a standard size for small boats — but the reality is that small boats come in a variety of sizes. In fact, according to Boatblurb.com, there are three classes of small boats.
- 16 to 26 feet in length
- 27 to 39 feet in length
- 40 to 65 feet in length
So what does this all mean? A small boat is any boat under 66 feet in length. Anything larger is considered a large boat.
DIY Small Boat Transportation Vs Hiring a Professional
There are several methods in transporting a small boat. You can do it yourself, but of course you will need time and the proper equipment to do it. You can also hire a professional shipping company. Let’s take a look at these two methods.
Transporting a Small Boat on a Trailer
The do-it-yourself option is available for those people whose boats are small enough to be hauled on a trailer and the distance traveled is short enough that you can easily do it yourself. It’s simple, really. If you don’t have a trailer or the hauling equipment, you can rent one and get a truck to trailer your boat.
Transporting a Small Boat with a Boat Shipping Company
This method of boat transportation is the easiest way because you don’t have to do much, except pay for the haul. A professional company can take care of all the logistics, but your boat has to meet certain requirements.
Here are the requirements:
- Cannot exceed 12 feet wide.
- Cannot be taller than 13.6 feet (you can take out removable parts of your boat that make it taller than this).
- Make sure the destination area where you are going to pick your boat up has at least 14 feet of overhead clearance.
If your boat meets these requirements, then you’re good to go. Of course, you will pay more than trailering it yourself, but boat shipping companies are professionals and can maneuver things more efficiently. The costs will depend on various factors like distance, the size of the boat and its value, which can affect insurance costs.
Is Small Boat Transport Cheaper Than Shipping a Large Boat?
The simple answer is yes. A small boat is easier to maneuver. A small boat usually can be transported using any kind of trailer to haul it, but a large boat needs a bigger trailer. For large boat transportation, you need a semi boat trailer or a flat rack trailer. These trailers are expensive, which means going through a boat shipping company that owns these transportation vehicles for commercial purposes is the way to go.
Transporting a large boat can cost in the range of $15,000, which is much more expensive than a small boat. The costs, of course, depend on the various factors like distance, the boat’s dimensions and size, value of the boat, and the type of insurance coverage you decide on. If you decide on extra perks for a calmer peace of mind, that will be added to the final price tag.
What is the Average Cost of Shipping a Small Boat?
The average cost of shipping a small boat is $2.25 per mile over land. So that means that if you are transporting your small boat on a 200 mile trip, it will cost you between $450-$550.
What is the Average Cost of Large Boat Transportation?
It should come as no surprise that transporting a large boat is more expensive. The per-mile rate for most large boat transporters is around $3, though it can be as much as $4 a mile.
Boat Shipping Cost Factors
There are several factors that go into the cost of boat shipping. Let’s take a look at them below.
Size of the Boat
The size of the boat will determine how much the final price of the transport will be. Small boat transportation will cost less than transporting a larger boat. The weight, width and length are all factored in to determine the cost. The other part of the cost is the boat transport trailer — the more expensive trailer will increase the cost of boat shipping.
Distance of the Transport
Like stated above, boat transport costs are determined per mile, which means that a larger distance will increase the overall cost of your boat shipping.
Destination and Origin Locations
The destination plays a part in boat shipping costs. If the destination is remote and hard to get to, then it will cost more. If the port that you are putting the boat in has costly fees, then this will increase the cost more, as well.
Seasonality
Like many things in the transport and tourism spectrum, the summer months end up being more expensive. The spring and autumn months are usually the cheapest. The winter months end up being more expensive because of the weather conditions that could impact transport.
Shipping a Small Boat to Another State
Small boat transport to another state is fairly simple. There are three simple steps that you can take, especially if you are hiring a boat shipping company or a two-way marketplace like CitizenShipper.
Step 1: Research boat shipping companies and find several that you like best, based on online reviews, their information, and customer opinions on social media.
Step 2: Send the boat shipping companies your information and wait for their quotes. Once you have a quote you like, you can contact them to begin the shipping process.
Step 3: Get the boat picked up and track the voyage until your small boat gets delivered to another state. Depending on the distance, your small boat will be delivered within a few days to a week.
How Long Does It Take for a Small Boat to be Delivered?
Usually a boat shipping company traveling by land will deliver your small boat in a matter of days. For example, a delivery that has to go from Boston to San Diego will take approximately 5-7 business days to get there. A boat getting shipped from Miami to New York can take 2-3 business days (roughly half the amount of time) because of the proximity between the two cities.
When you send in your boat’s information, including the pick up and drop off locations, the boat shipping company will send you a quote along with the rough amount of time it will take to ship your small boat to its final destination.
Impact of Weather Conditions on Boat Shipping
As stated above, weather conditions have an effect on boat shipping. It all depends on the type of transport method you choose and how much of an effect it will have. You see, weather conditions are not created equal when it comes to transport on land or transport on water.
You can transport your small boat by sea, if you are near one body of water and going to another body of water with ease. There are logistical matters to take care of, of course. You’ll have to take time off from work to do the voyage or hire a crew to do it for you, which can be very expensive. Weather conditions — like storms for example — can affect the timing of the voyage and the amount of time it takes to get to the final destination.
When transporting your small boat by land, however, the weather conditions can be less dramatic. Unless you run into a tornado, there won’t be as many intense weather conditions that delay the delivery of your small boat. Heavy weather like sleet or snow can slow down the delivery, but it won’t be catastrophic to the voyage.
How to Hire a Boat Transportation Company?
First, go online and do your research. After you find several companies you like, plug in your boat’s information so you can get quotes. Once you get quotes from these companies, you can choose one and start the shipping process with them.
Qualities of Good Boat Shipping Companies
You should look for several qualities before you choose a boat shipping company. Let’s take a look at them.
Boat Transport Experience
The best boat shipping companies have the proven experience to transport your boat. They have shipped thousands of boats domestically, throughout the United States.
Insurance Policy
A good boat shipping company will have a good insurance policy. This creates peace of mind that your boat will be transported in the condition you left it in.
The Right Licensing
A quality boat transport company will have its appropriating licensing authorizations to ship boats. They should be registered with the Department of Transportation and with the Federal Motor Carrier Authority.
Good Communication and Customer Service
The best boat shipping company has excellent communication and customer service skills with you throughout the entire process. They give you all the fees and pricing information upfront, as well as give you updates throughout the transport journey.
Good Reviews
When doing your research, you read good reviews online from other websites and social media groups that have previously hired that particular boat shipping company.
Small Boat Transport Cost Calculator: How to Estimate Your Shipping Price
Estimating the cost to transport a small boat starts with the distance between pickup and delivery. A simple starting formula is:
Distance in miles × $2.25 base rate = estimated transportation cost
Then adjust the estimate based on the boat’s size, shipping season, and route difficulty. For example, a 500-mile shipment would start at 500 × $2.25 = $1,125. A larger boat, difficult pickup location, steep terrain, or peak-season demand could increase the final price, while an easy route or flexible scheduling may reduce it.
Step-by-step estimate
- Calculate the distance: Determine the approximate road miles between pickup and delivery.
- Apply the base rate: Multiply the mileage by $2.25.
- Adjust for boat size: Larger or heavier boats generally require more specialized equipment and may cost more per mile.
- Adjust for season: Summer and peak boating season can increase demand and pricing.
- Adjust for route difficulty: Remote locations, mountainous roads, tolls, permits, or complicated loading requirements can add to the cost.
- Request actual quotes: Use the calculation as a starting estimate rather than a guaranteed price.
| Example Route | Distance | Base Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA → Los Angeles, CA | 120 miles | $270 |
| Miami, FL → Orlando, FL | 235 miles | $529 |
| Chicago, IL → Detroit, MI | 285 miles | $641 |
| Dallas, TX → Houston, TX | 240 miles | $540 |
These figures use the $2.25 base rate and don’t include size, season, or route adjustments.
Cheapest Ways to Ship a Small Boat
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to transport a small boat, towing it yourself is usually the first option to consider if you already have a suitable vehicle, a road-worthy trailer, and the experience to handle the load safely. DIY towing eliminates the professional transporter’s labor cost, although you still need to account for fuel, tolls, lodging, and potential trailer expenses.
For owners who prefer professional transportation, marketplace platforms such as CitizenShipper can help reduce costs by allowing transporters to compete for your shipment. Instead of accepting a single predetermined price, you can compare offers and choose a transporter based on price, experience, timing, and service.
A few other strategies can lower your transportation bill:
- Ship during the off-season: Transporters may offer better pricing when demand is lower.
- Be flexible with pickup dates: Giving transporters a wider scheduling window can make it easier to find an affordable route.
- Consider shared transportation: Grouping your boat with other shipments traveling in the same direction can help spread transportation costs.
- Choose practical pickup and delivery points: Easily accessible marinas, storage facilities, or boat ramps can be cheaper than difficult-to-reach locations.
Getting multiple quotes is generally the best way to determine whether a lower-cost option is available for your specific route.
Every CitizenShipper transporter is background-checked, identity-verified, and reviewed by previous customers. You don’t pay anything until you book.
Get Free Boat Transport Quotes →
Small Boat Transport Near Me: Finding Local Transporters
Finding a boat transporter nearby can be as simple as entering your pickup and delivery locations on CitizenShipper. The marketplace connects boat owners with independent transporters who can offer quotes for both local moves and long-distance routes.
Local transportation can make sense when you’re moving a boat between nearby marinas, dealerships, storage facilities, or launch ramps. However, you don’t necessarily need to find a transporter based in your hometown. Transporters serve routes across all 50 states, so a driver already traveling your route may be able to pick up your boat even if they’re based elsewhere.
Boat transportation is also needed in states that don’t have a coastline. New Mexico, for example, still has demand for boat transportation because owners move boats between lakes, reservoirs, storage facilities, dealerships, and destinations in other states. This means a search for “boat transport near me” can uncover options beyond traditional coastal boating markets.
When comparing local transporters, look at the total quote, equipment, experience with your boat type, insurance, availability, and customer reviews—not simply how close the transporter is to your location.
How to Prepare Your Small Boat for Transport
Proper preparation can help prevent damage and make pickup faster and easier. Before your transporter arrives, work through the following checklist:
- Drain fuel and water tanks. Remove excess fuel and drain water systems according to the boat manufacturer’s recommendations and applicable transportation requirements.
- Remove loose items. Take out fishing equipment, life jackets, coolers, cushions, personal belongings, and anything else that could move during transit.
- Remove or secure electronics. Detachable GPS units, screens, antennas, and other vulnerable equipment should be removed or properly protected.
- Secure all hatches and compartments. Make sure doors, cabinets, windows, and hatches are closed and secured so they cannot open during transportation.
- Document the boat’s condition. Take clear photos of the hull, deck, windshield, equipment, trailer, and any existing scratches or damage before loading.
- Disconnect the battery. Disconnecting the battery can prevent electrical issues or accidental drainage during transit.
- Inspect the trailer. Check the tires, wheel bearings, brakes, lights, hitch, safety chains, straps, and registration. Replace worn components before the trip.
- Confirm dimensions and weight. Give the transporter accurate measurements, including the boat, trailer, and any equipment that will remain onboard.
Good preparation reduces the risk of damage, delays, and unexpected charges while giving both you and the transporter a clear record of the boat’s condition before departure.
What Is the Average Cost of Shipping a Small Boat?
For small-boat transportation, a useful starting range is approximately $2.00–$2.50 per mile, although the actual rate depends on the boat, route, season, equipment requirements, and transporter availability. Larger boats generally cost more per mile because they may require specialized equipment, permits, or additional planning.
| Boat Size | Cost Per Mile | 200-Mile Trip | 500-Mile Trip | 1,000-Mile Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 26 ft) | $2.00–$2.50 | $400–$500 | $1,000–$1,250 | $2,000–$2,500 |
| Medium (27–39 ft) | $2.25–$3.00 | $450–$600 | $1,125–$1,500 | $2,250–$3,000 |
| Large (40–65 ft) | $3.00–$4.00 | $600–$800 | $1,500–$2,000 | $3,000–$4,000 |
| Over 65 ft | $4.00+ | $800+ | $2,000+ | $4,000+ |
These are distance-based estimates, not guaranteed quotes. Fuel prices, seasonal demand, route difficulty, permits, boat dimensions, and trailer condition can all affect the final price.
Using CitizenShipper
Traditional boat shipping companies are usually more expensive than using a marketplace like CitizenShipper. Transporters charge lower rates than traditional boat shipping companies because they’re competing for your business.
The process is super easy!
- Create a shipment listing with your boat’s information. We’ll send it to boat haulers on our network.
- You will receive quotes from the haulers and once you like one, pick them and you’ll be ready to get things started.
- You can track your shipment with scheduled updates from your hired transporter.
With CitizenShipper, all transporters are background checked, their contact information is verified, there are pictures of the haulers and their vehicles to confirm who and what they are driving, and there are detailed hauler reviews, too.
We make sure that CitizenShipper is the easiest and most trusted way to transport a boat. The haulers on our network know the value of your boat and will treat it with care throughout the journey. Post your boat’s info and get quotes from trusted haulers instantly!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to transport a small boat?
2. Is it cheaper to transport a small boat myself?
3. How long does it take to transport a small boat?
4. What size boat can be transported on a standard trailer?
5. How can I find a boat transporter?
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
Content Writer at CitizenShipper. I’ve also been published on The Penny Hoarder, Mommy Poppins and mxdwn.
