Your boat means something to you. It represents weekends on the water, family memories, and years of care. Handing it over to strangers for transport feels risky. You want someone who treats it like their own.

Picking the wrong boat transport company can lead to damage, delays, and headaches. Choosing the right one means your vessel arrives on time and in perfect condition.

Some companies have decades of experience specifically with boats. Others just haul whatever fits on a truck.

Finding trustworthy boat transport doesn’t have to be complicated. You need clear information about your options and what makes each company reliable.

Let’s look at the carriers that have proven track records moving boats safely across town and across the country.

What Is Boat Transport?

Boat transport is a service that moves your vessel from one location to another using specialized equipment and trucks. Professional transporters handle everything from loading your boat onto a trailer to securing it properly for the road.

Most boat transport companies work with vessels of all sizes.

They can move small fishing boats, sailboats, pontoons, and even large yachts. The service includes picking up your boat, transporting it safely, and delivering it to your chosen destination.

People use boat transport services when they need to move a boat long-distance without the stress of towing it themselves.

It’s especially helpful for out-of-state boat purchases or sales, relocations, seasonal storage moves, and getting a vessel to a specialized repair or maintenance facility.

Boat Transport Methods: Which Option Is Right for You?

Choosing the right boat transport method depends on your vessel’s size, your destination, and your timeline. Each option has different benefits and limitations.

Understanding these methods helps you make the right choice for your situation.

• Overland Boat Transport (Trailering): Your boat is loaded onto a specialized trailer, secured for safe road travel. Works well for boats under 40 feet, with route planning to avoid low bridges and tight roads.

• Water-Based Boat Transport: A licensed captain delivers your boat by water between two accessible locations. Ideal for larger boats or coastal moves, with plans based on fuel stops, weather, and seasons.

• International Boat Shipping Options: Boats ship overseas by RoRo, container, LoLo, or yacht. The right choice depends on size, protection needs, budget, and access to the destination port.

Talk to boat transport companies about your specific needs. They can recommend the most suitable method and provide accurate quotes for your move.

Boat Transport Companies

These companies specialize in door-to-door boat hauling across state lines. They handle the entire process, from pickup to delivery, using overland transport.

1. Flagship Boat Transport (Boat Transport Pros)

Flagship Boat Transportoperates nationwide and handles multiple vessel types. They transport sailboats, powerboats, and yachts across the country.

The company emphasizes that all its services are fully licensed and insured. Their network covers major routes between coastal areas and inland destinations.

2. Joule Yacht Transport

Joule Yacht Transport provides overland boat shipping throughout the contiguous United States and Canada. They operate their own fleet of transport vehicles and also work with qualified owner-operators.

This dual approach gives them flexibility in scheduling and coverage. They can handle boats of various sizes and types throughout their service area.

3. Yacht Trucking

Yacht Truckingcovers all 50 states plus Canada, according to their website. They place special emphasis on sailboat transport and the handling of oversize vessels.

They plan routes around clearance issues, such as low bridges and narrow roads. They handle permits, plan safe routes, and use specialized loading equipment.

4. Nationwide United Auto Transport

Nationwide United Auto Transport offers boat transport as part of their vehicle shipping services. Their boat transport service page explains how they handle larger vehicles, such as boats and recreational vehicles.

This option works well if you need to ship multiple items during a move. They use the same carrier network for boats as they do for cars and RVs. The company can coordinate multiple shipments to the same destination.

5. Boat Shippers

Boat Shippers lists the types of vessels it transports on its website. They also note specific limits to their services. For example, their site mentions they do not transport sailboats.

Understanding these limitations helps you know if they fit your needs. They focus on powerboats and other vessel types that fit their transport capabilities.

6. Heavy Haulers

Heavy Haulers takes a logistics agent approach to nationwide boat shipping. They manage the entire transport process by coordinating with their carrier network.

This model means you work with one point of contact while multiple parties handle the physical transport. They solve problems that come up during transit and ensure on-time delivery.

Best Yacht Transport By Ship

These companies specialize in moving large yachts across oceans or along extended coastal routes. They use semi-submersible ships that float your vessel in and out of the water for safe ocean transport.

Sevenstar Yacht Transport provides yacht shipping by sea with cradles, loadmasters, and insurance options included.

DYT Yacht Transport operates semi-submersible carriers with float-on/float-off capability.

Peters & May handles global yacht shipping and addresses common concerns like tracking, customs clearance, and vessel preparation.

WeShipBoats focuses on worldwide boat and yacht transportation with expertise in complex international routing.

These services work best for yachts that are too large for overland transport or for international moves requiring ocean crossings.

How Much Does Boat Transport Cost?

Boat transport costs vary widely depending on distance, boat size, route, timing, and extras such as permits or insurance. Overland shipping, the most common method for domestic boat transport, typically costs $1.50–$4 per mile.

Short local moves (under 100–200 miles) usually range from $500–$2,000+, with higher per-mile rates often applying to very short hauls.

Cross-country hauls (2,000–3,000 miles) generally fall between $3,000–$10,000+ for small to mid-size boats, though costs rise significantly higher for larger or oversize vessels that require permits, escorts, and specialized equipment.

International options start at $5,000–$15,000+ for container or RoRo shipping, while large yachts on specialty ships can exceed $50,000–$150,000+, plus fees and customs.

Prices rise during peak seasons, for remote locations, or add-ons like wrapping and express service.

Always get multiple personalized quotes for the most accurate estimate.

What Should You Look for In a Boat Transport Company?

Finding a reliable boat transport company requires checking a few important details.

These verification steps protect your vessel and give you peace of mind during the move. Taking time to research companies now prevents problems later.

• Licensing and Authority: Choose carriers with active USDOT and MC numbers and confirm their status and safety record on the FMCSA website.
• Insurance Coverage: Request a cargo insurance certificate and verify coverage limits, exclusions, and validity through the FMCSA database.
• Coverage Limits: Make sure insurance limits match your boat’s value, and request higher coverage if standard limits fall short.
• Boat-Specific Experience: Work with transporters who specialize in boats, not general freight, to ensure proper loading and securement.
• Oversize Permit Handling: Wide-beam boats require permits, route planning, and sometimes escorts—experienced carriers manage this to avoid delays.

Verify credentials before booking your transport. Reliable companies provide documentation willingly and answer questions about their experience with boats like yours.

Ready to Move Your Boat?

Choosing boat transport comes down to knowing your options and carefully checking credentials. Pick a company with real boat experience, not just general haulers.

You now understand which companies handle local moves versus cross-country hauling. You can spot the difference between carriers who specialize in vessels and those who haul anything.

The right transporter protects your investment. Take time comparing quotes. Ask about their specific experience with boats like yours. Request documentation upfront.

Don’t let price be your only deciding factor. The cheapest option rarely delivers the best results when your boat is on the line. Which company meets your needs? Share your boat transport experience in the comments below.