{"id":2901,"date":"2020-07-14T20:18:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T02:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=2901"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:05:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:05:58","slug":"boat-shipping-guide-equipment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/boat-shipping-guide-equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Boat Shipping Guide #3: Equipment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As our marketplace grows and grows, we\u2019ve seen a big increase in demand for boat shipping<\/a>. To be a boat transporter<\/a>, all you need is a willingness to travel long-distance, a responsible attitude to boats big and small, and a little expertise. It\u2019s exciting work: Less competition means more money in your pocket, and as your experience grows, so does your market share. It\u2019s a boom time for boat shipping, so here is some basic advice on how it works, and how much you can earn.<\/p>\n

Types of Trailers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve completed your first shipment and want to scale up your operation! The first piece of equipment you\u2019ll want is a boat trailer<\/a>. The basic types of trailers and expected costs are detailed below.<\/p>\n

A primary consideration when choosing a trailer is its weight limit. This means its capacity to support a given boat. It is important to take into account the boat\u2019s wet weight. A boat\u2019s wet weight includes the weight of water, oil, fuel, safety equipment, anchors, etc, on board. To calculate the necessary trailer capacity, tot up the weight of the boat, the engine, a full fuel tank (approximately 7 lbs per gallon), full water tanks (if applicable) and your personal gear (use 10% of the boat, motor, and liquid weights for this category). Then check if the trailer can support it.<\/p>\n

Next you\u2019ll need to verify if the trailer is long enough to carry certain boats<\/a>. Choose one that\u2019s at least two feet longer than the longest boat you plan to haul<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A basic flatbed trailer is the right length for many boats. Taller boats may require a lowboy trailer. For drivers keen to specialise in boat shipping<\/a>, a hydraulic trailer<\/strong> is the best option available in the market.<\/p>\n

Hydraulic trailers are widely recommended by shipping experts for powerboat and sailboat transit. They save a lot of time and money in the long run. Hydraulic trailers boast a variety of features to help with loading, moving, unloading, launching and blocking.<\/p>\n

When choosing one, the most important metric is keel pressure. Boat manufacturers will tell you that 70% of a boat\u2019s weight rests on the keel. Some trailers use keel pressure and some use pad pressure to support a boat. But without keel pressure problems can arise, like oil canning or hull twist. The more expensive trailers with keel pressure cost around $150,000, down to around $60,000.<\/p>\n