Our drivers’ combined experience working with DOT, permit agencies, marinas, and boat yards helps to ensure the maximum level of safety while keeping delays to a minimum. Beattie's Marine Transport policy forbids drivers from moving loads in conditions they consider unsafe, whether that be due to structural issues with a client's trailer, the weather, or any other factor deemed imperitive for safe transport. Given so much, proper preparation of your boat for hauling requires careful planning and on both our part and yours. 

Proper preparation of the boat for transport is the responsibility of the owner, not the boat transport company. We transport boats. We do not prepare boats for transport. Marinas and boat yards will only allow their employees to prepare boats. If you need assistance with Prepping/De/Re-Commissioning your vessel, we can help by working with you to select a Full Service Marina, Boatyard, Captain, or Marine Surveyor to accommodate your needs.
In return, we recommend and are grateful for…

Having the boat properly prepped and ready to load when our truck arrives at its scheduled time. Besides having to pay the driver for unnecessary delay, this also causes us to get behind on the other boats we have scheduled for transport. We will do our best to deliver the boat at the estimated time. However, this is an approximation only due to the many factors beyond our control such as weather, traffic and marina operations.

Your participation and cooperation to prepare your boat for a safe transport as outlined in this document.

Boat transport preparation done by an experienced boat yard. We recommend the preparation be supervised or inspected by a licensed marine surveyor. This is particularly true for boats 30 feet and up.

Your understanding that we will not be responsible for damage to or from caused by improper preparation or loading by the shipper for faulty or defective cradles, trailers, chains, binders, or other equipment provided by the shipper to secure the cargo.. This includes anything that shakes loose, becomes unattached, drops, falls or breaks. Bear in mind these are not the result of driver negligence but are due to road vibration and high winds that are a normal part of boat transport and would happen no matter who was transporting your boat. Please see List of items carrier is not responsible.

Your consideration that if your boat is being moved at 60 miles per hour into a 14 mile per hour head wind, it is experiencing hurricane force conditions, as well as any inclement weather that may be encountered en-route. Please expect normal road dirt on the boat.

MEASURING YOUR BOAT FOR TRANSPORT: When requesting a quote to transport your boat, the dimension are extremely important. Please follow these guidelines for measuring your boat accurately. In order to transport your boat for the lowest possible price, we try to carry more than one small boat going in the same direction at the same time. That is why we must know the full overall length of your vessel in order to know what boats will fit on our trailers.

OVERALL LENGTH: Include bow pulpits, swim platforms, outboard motor brackets, outboard motors themselves (the length of the motors or out drives in the raised position). If on a trailer, include from the tip of the tongue to the end of the motor. The maximum height of many overpasses is 13 feet 6 inches. Our low-boy trailers are some of the lowest in the country. Boats with an overall height greater than 13.6’ loaded on the trailer require special handling and routing.

OVERALL HEIGHT: Measured from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part of the boats. The draft + clearance = total height. Pending on your model, if the bridge is to be removed, measure the vessel without the bridge, provide bridge dimensions to ensure appropriate transport space.  Remember measure twice – cut once!!! Bridge should be placed somewhere suitable on the boat and make certain it is safely secured. If it must be placed on our trailer, a frame should be prepared for it to rest upon. If your radar arch is removed, it should be secured against your boat. You might consider using carpet to protect areas where surfaces may "touch".Electronics such as radios, Loran Systems, etc., should be shipped separately or securely stowed in your cabin, with all cabin doors, windows, and any other access, locked.

OVERALL BEAM/WIDTH: Measured as the widest point of the boat including anything attached to the boat. Boats wider than 8 feet 6 inches are regarded as oversize loads and require state permits.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MARINA FOR YOUR BOAT TRANSPORT: Here are some basic questions to ask when choosing a marina for your boat. Do they have a travel lift or fork lift to load or offload your boat? If necessary, can they shrink wrap or cradle your boat for international transport? Do they have a service bay for disassembly or reassembly of the radar arch or fly bridge?
Can they assist with the preparation of the boat for transport? Please choose a marina with at least 14’ overhead clearance, with no low tree branches or wires on its approach. Remember, the larger the boat, the higher the load, the more clearance required.

HOW IT WORKS: Once a rate to transport is agreed upon, a deposit payable to Beattie's Marine Transport is taken to secure booking, boat coordination fee, and in some cases permits and escorts. Prior to delivery the full balance due is either wired direct to Beattie's Marine Transport Account or a certified check made payable direct to your Owner/Operator driver. This information will be given to you once your boat is picked up. The driver will prepare a condition report noting any obvious damage which you or your designated Agent will be asked to sign before the driver leaves with the boat and again when the driver delivers your boat. Our partner drivers spend much time on the road and it is sometimes difficult to get to the bank. While it’s not required, a cash tip is greatly appreciated for a job well done.

WHEN IN DOUBT...PULL IT OUT!!!

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY STORE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: All valuables, all exterior electronics, Anchors, Antennas, Propellers, Flagstaffs, Outriggers, any item that extends beyond the stated length, width or height of your vessel.  All canvas, screens, weatherboards and Isinglass. Drain plugs (There should not be any water in the bilge while it is being transported.), radar transmitters, hailers, and dinghies. Drain fuel and water tanks as much as possible. Be sure the tank is no more than ¼ full. During winter months, water should be drained from water systems, pumps, and air conditioners.

The batteries should be disconnected and the cables tied off to prevent contact. If engine hatch covers are battery operated, they should be secured to prevent their opening while in transit. Check for any loose items or items that could become loose.

INSIDE YOUR BOAT: All items in the interior cabin should be carefully inspected to make sure they are battened down securely, including hatches. All locker doors should be well secured and locked. All items on deck should be securely lashed down. Normally the driver won't have a key, so any loose items will cause damage. We recommend, you lock the cabin and YOU keep the key.

OUTSIDE YOUR BOAT: All electronics, radar, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc., must be removed, packed securely and securely stored below. The carrier will not be responsible if they are damaged or if they vibrate off.

COVERS & SHRINK WRAP: Canvas covers, or loose cushion, grill, deck chair, or hatch door, etc., can be damaged, or do considerable damage, flapping or banging around loose in/with the forced winds and truck movements, which may be even more greatly magnified, if added to any naturally occurring winds, and/or other weather conditions encountered during transport. Canvas covers must be removed as they will tear or fly off during transport

We DO NOT RECOMMEND Shrink wrap for over the road boat transport. While shrink wrap can protect the boat from road tar and dirt, we DO RECOMMEND your money be spent on a good wash down at delivery. Shrink wrap can and does tear or fly-off during transit. This can cause considerable damage from beating against the boat and chaffing. Drivers carry tape, and we will try to repair it if possible. If we can't, we will have to remove it. Keep in mind that the driver's view is often obstructed, and at night he can't always see that the shrink-wrap has torn. Nor can the driver hear the shrink-wrap flapping or "wind-milling." We are not responsible for damage caused by shrink-wrap, canvas covering or any other cover. In some cases, you may be charged for the boat transporter’s time to remove the shrink wrap.

WOOD  BOATS: For wooden boats, we recommend that they be transported on their own custom cradle. This is suggested because there may be inherent structural weaknesses that are not readily visible or detectable. A well designed cradle will spread the weight of the boat over a much wider contact area. Wooden boats can be expected to dry out. A coat of linseed oil will help.

DINGHIES: Dinghies can not be transported on its davits. It should be stored in the cabin or securely lashed and padded in the cockpit. If you are shipping a dinghy on board or if you have had to remove any superstructure, these items should be well padded. DO NOT leave dinghy on davits.

HATCHES: Hatches should be tightly secured and sealed with tape to prevent damage from wind-driven water. The latches should also be taped securely to prevent the hatch from coming open while in transit and to prevent damage to the boat caused by rain water thru a missing or leaking hatch or deck. A boat will not sit in the same position on the carrier's trailer as it does in the water.

WINDOWS/WINDSHIELDS: Cabin windows should be latched and taped from the outside. All windshields and/or Plexiglas that protrude over the flying bridge should be removed, packed with a cargo blanket and should be well secured below. 

ZEBRA MUSSELS: If you are moving your boat from an infected State, thoroughly inspect your boat. Check engine intake strainers, and all other through-hull fittings. Check drain scuppers, out-drives and all possible areas of attachment. DOT officers are checking boats for Zebra mussels at weigh stations. If zebra mussels are found, your boat will be seized. You will have to arrange for hot water removal, and you may also be required to have your boat launched first in salt water if your intended destination was fresh water.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:  Overseas shipping requires either your boat to be on its own trailer or on a cradle. We have much experience in overseas boat shipment and know all that is required. Should you use another company for overseas, as the land transporter we must receive all appropriate contact information and documentation.

CRADLES/TRAILERS: If you have a cradle for transporting your boat, please inspect it carefully for fit, loose bolts, strength and structural integrity. If your cradle breaks in transit, causing damage to your boat, the carrier cannot accept responsibility. We will not assume liability for any damage that results from the failure of your boat's cradle. If you are shipping your boat overseas, we can provide you with a quote for cradling your boat.

If you plan to transport your boat on its own trailer, refer to our guide at the end of this document to confirm you have a ROADWORTHY trailer.

SAILBOAT TRANSPORT - ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: Make certain that all Mast Poles are de-rigged. All cables and spreaders should be bound to the pole. ALL rigging, winches, wind indicators, and lights must be removed from the mast. The strongest side of the mast should be left "clean" to rest on our trailer. Wrapping of poles is optional, but should be considered. Carpet should be provided for the mast at the points of tie down. Expect some chafing at these points. If the mast is painted, it is almost impossible to keep the paint from chafing. The carrier will not pay to repaint masts if chafing occurs. Do not secure the mast to the boat, as there is a space on the carrier’s trailer for the mast. Should the mast be secured to the boat, the carrier will not be responsible for any resulting damage to the mast or the boat.

Life lines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if they render the boat over height. On center board sailboats, make sure the board is secured and will stay up in transit. Keel sailboats may expect some separation where the keel joins the hull. This is not structural damage, but rather is the paint or filler cracking at the joint. Light built or racing sailboats can expect some hull indentation from the support pads. These indentations generally disappear when the boat is returned to the water.

Rudders, sticks, ladders, outboards, and anything else that can turn or flap in the wind, should be removed and/or well secured.

POWER BOAT TRANSPORT - ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: Make certain that your windshield is strong enough to withstand the rigors and wind of travel. Confirm the seal is tight and screws holding it in place are not corroded. In some cases, oversize yachts are hauled backwards creating an even greater force of wind pressure. When in the least doubt, REMOVE and SAFELY SECURE IT.   Please NOTE: If not removed, frameless Plexiglas windshields WILL BREAK!!!  We will not be responsible if this happens. Take precautionary measures !! Any inboard/outboard or outboard motors should be raised and locked. It is sometimes prudent to place a 2 x 4 securely between your out-drive and bracket. Whenever possible, you should consider removing the props and safely storing them.

LIST OF ITEMS CARRIER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE: Hatches, windows or doors that become loose or open, radio speakers, lights or electronics that fall from their mounts, Radio or other antennas, seat cushions that blow out, engine covers that come open, loose items inside or outside of the cabin, locker or cabinet drawers that come open, shrink wrap or canvas that tears or blows off, windshields that fail, drink holders, anchors, and motor brackets, boats shipped on their own faulty trailer, improperly prepared vessels.

USING YOUR OWN TRAILER? FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES TO CONFIRM ROADWORTHINESS: The proper procedure for making a trailer ROADWORTHY for a long Interstate trip is to do the following: