Boat Shipping

Boat shipping by road means your vessel travels on a truck rather than under its own power. It is how most boats move any real distance overland — between marinas, to and from winter storage, to a buyer in another state, or to a yard for work.

Genius Auto Trans is a licensed and bonded property broker — USDOT 3674601, MC 1274912, Broker Property, ACTIVE with the FMCSA, arranging transport since 2021. We do not own trucks or trailers. We source your shipment from a vetted network of more than 10,000 carriers.

Three measurements decide everything

Before method, before price, before schedule. Get these to us and the rest follows:

Beam. The widest point of the hull. This is the measurement that quietly determines whether your boat is a routine load or an oversize one requiring permits, route planning and sometimes escort vehicles. Owners consistently underestimate its importance — a modest increase in beam can change the entire cost and lead time of a move.

Height on the trailer. Not the boat's height, the loaded height. Bridges, overpasses, power lines and tunnels are unforgiving, and a tall boat on a tall trailer restricts which routes are even legal.

Weight. Wet or dry, and be honest about it. Fuel, water tanks, gear and an inboard engine add up, and the trailer's own weight counts too.

Also tell us: does it have its own trailer, is that trailer roadworthy, and what can be removed — tower, canvas, antennae, outdrive.

How boats move by road

On its own trailer. The simplest and usually cheapest, if the trailer is genuinely roadworthy — tyres, bearings, lights, brakes. A carrier will inspect it, and a trailer that fails is an expensive surprise on collection day.

On the carrier's trailer. For boats without a trailer, or where the owner's trailer is not up to a long haul. Sized to the hull.

Flatbed or step-deck. For larger hulls, and where the boat sits in a cradle rather than on a bunk trailer.

Lowboy or RGN. For tall boats, where the deck height is what makes the load legal. An RGN's detachable gooseneck also solves loading where a ramp will not.

Cradled and blocked. Larger vessels travel supported in a purpose-built cradle. Cradle supply and fit is a real cost line, not an afterthought.

We will tell you which of these your boat needs based on your three measurements — not based on which equipment we happen to have, because we do not own any.

What we do not do

Said plainly, because much of the search traffic around boat shipping is looking for it:

• No overseas or international shipping — no container, no RoRo, no air freight
• No delivery on its own bottom — we do not supply captains or crew to move a boat over water
• No Alaska or Hawaii

We arrange road transport within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. If your boat is too large for road transport, road transport is not your answer and we will say so rather than quote you.

What boat shipping costs

No price table and no calculator that pretends three questions can price an oversize load. What drives your quote:

• Beam — the single biggest factor, because it decides permitted or not
• Loaded height — determines which routes are legal
• Weight — drives equipment class
• Length — matters, but less than beam
• Distance and corridor — boat-capable carriers are a much smaller pool than car carriers, so route matters more here
• Trailer situation — own trailer, carrier's trailer, or cradle required
• Loading and launching access — travel-lift or crane availability at both ends, marina access, yard hours
• Season — spring launch and autumn haul-out concentrate demand hard, and yards book out

Where a load requires permits, that is a real cost and a real lead time. We will tell you at quote stage rather than after booking.

Cost detail across services: FAQ — Cost & Pricing.

Preparing your boat

• Remove everything loose. Electronics, cushions, fenders, lines, personal gear. Federal regulation prohibits carriers from moving household goods in a shipped vehicle and cargo insurance does not cover them.
• Drain water systems and deal with fuel as your yard advises.
• Disconnect and secure the battery.
• Lower or remove the tower, antennae, outriggers and canvas. This frequently reduces height enough to change what the move costs.
• Secure hatches, doors and lockers.
• Leave a transport cover on only if it is a transport cover. A mooring cover will flap at highway speed, scuff gelcoat and tear itself apart. If in doubt, take it off.
• Photograph the hull thoroughly, dated, including the bottom if it is out of the water. This is your condition record.
• Confirm travel-lift or crane availability at both ends before the date is set.

More: FAQ — Vehicle Preparation · FAQ — Specialty Transport

Insurance

We are a licensed and bonded broker, not the carrier. Every carrier we assign is required to hold active cargo insurance, and we will provide that carrier's certificate on request.

Boats are high-value and often uniquely valued, so read the certificate against what the vessel is actually worth. Our published guidance applies here too: where a vessel is worth more than market rate, consider a special insurance rider. More: FAQ — Carriers, Insurance & Safety.

Who ships boats

• Owners relocating with a boat that will not tow behind a family car
• Buyers and sellers completing a sale across state lines
• Seasonal owners moving between summer water and winter storage
• Dealers and brokers moving inventory — see the car dealer discount
• Yards and repairers taking vessels in and out for work
• Owners heading to events, tournaments and rendezvous

Where we ship

Road transport across the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. Alaska and Hawaii are not served.

Boat Transport Florida · Locations Hub · Routes Hub · Services Hub · Door-to-door collection

Also arranged: Jet Ski & PWC Shipping · Heavy Equipment Transport · RV Transport

Frequently asked questions

How do you transport a boat by road? On its own trailer, on the carrier's trailer, or on a flatbed, step-deck or lowboy with the hull supported in a cradle. Which one depends on beam, loaded height and weight. Give us those three and we will tell you.

How much does boat transport cost? Beam is the biggest driver, because it decides whether the load needs permits. Loaded height, weight, distance, corridor, trailer situation and lift access at both ends all feed in. We quote the actual move rather than publishing a figure that cannot know your hull.

Can you ship a boat without a trailer? Yes. The carrier supplies a suitable trailer, or the hull travels in a cradle on a flatbed or lowboy. Tell us at quote stage so the right equipment is sourced.

Can you use my own trailer? Usually, if it is genuinely roadworthy — tyres, bearings, brakes, lights. The carrier will inspect it. A trailer that fails inspection on collection day is a costly delay, so check it beforehand.

What is an oversize boat load? One exceeding legal width, height or weight limits, which then needs permits and sometimes route restrictions or escorts. Beam is the usual cause. Thresholds vary by state, so we confirm what your specific route requires rather than quoting a general figure.

Do I need to remove the tower or canvas? Frequently worth it. Lowering or removing a tower, antennae or canvas can bring loaded height under a threshold, and that can change both the price and which routes are legal.

What does a deck boat need for transport? A deck boat's wide, open beam is what matters — that broad hull is usually the measurement determining whether it ships as a routine or permitted load, more than its length.

Do you ship boats internationally? No. We arrange road transport within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC only. No container, RoRo or air freight, and no Alaska or Hawaii.

Can you deliver my boat on its own bottom? No. We do not supply captains or crew for delivery over water. We arrange road transport only.

How far in advance should I book boat transport? Earlier than for a car, and considerably earlier around spring launch and autumn haul-out. Boat-capable carriers are a smaller pool and permitted loads need lead time.

Is my boat covered during transport? The assigned carrier holds the cargo insurance that applies, and we will provide its certificate on request. We are a broker and do not insure vessels ourselves.

Can I leave gear aboard? No. Take everything loose off. Federal regulation prohibits household goods in a shipped vehicle and cargo insurance does not cover them.

More answers: Car Shipping FAQs

Have your measurements to hand? Call (800) 780-1113 — answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Related pages

• Car Shipping (core hub)