Boat Shipping — Safe, Permitted Boat Transport Nationwide
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ShipMyCar US moves fishing boats, pontoons, ski boats, sailboats and cruisers over the road on your trailer or a carrier's hydraulic boat trailer. We handle the route, the oversize permits and the escorts.
Quick Answer
Short answer: Boat shipping from about $1.25–$3.75 per mile. Trailerable and oversize boats, sailboats and cruisers moved nationwide, with permits handled. It's built for anyone comparing car shipping options who needs to know if this service fits their vehicle and timeline — use the quote form on this page for your exact price.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
Boat shipping is not the same job as car shipping. A car always fits a standard car carrier; a boat may be wider than a traffic lane, taller than a highway overpass once it sits on a trailer, or too heavy for a light-duty rig. The beam, length, height on the trailer and weight decide which truck, which route and which permits your move needs.
ShipMyCar US arranges overland boat transport across the lower 48 states. You tell us the boat, the trailer situation and the two addresses; we match you with a licensed boat hauler, quote the price up front and coordinate the permits, escorts and pickup window. Most trailerable boats move without any special paperwork at all, and you never pay in full before the boat is picked up.
How Much Does Boat Shipping Cost?
Boat transport is quoted per mile, and the single biggest factor in that rate is the boat's beam (width), because beam decides whether the load is legal-width or oversize.
About $1.25–$2.00 per mile, averaging roughly $1.63. No oversize permit needed — this covers most bass boats, ski boats, center consoles and small pontoons.
Roughly $2.00–$2.75 per mile. The load needs state oversize permits for every state on the route, and some states restrict travel to daylight hours.
About $2.75–$3.75 per mile or more. These loads need permits plus pilot or escort vehicles, and route planning around bridges and low overpasses.
Length and height on the trailer move you up or down within each band. Short trips usually carry a flat minimum instead of a per-mile rate, and long hauls earn a lower rate per mile. For a fast number, use our boat shipping cost calculator.
| Trip Distance | Beam under 8'6" | Beam 8'6"–12' | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 miles | $350–$500 | $500–$700 | Flat minimum often applies |
| 500 miles | $650–$1,000 | $1,000–$1,375 | Permits for each state |
| 1,000 miles | $1,250–$2,000 | $2,000–$2,750 | Typical regional move |
| 2,000 miles | $2,300–$3,600 | $3,800–$5,200 | Cross-country rates drop per mile |
What Changes Your Boat Transport Price
Beam, length and weight together decide the trailer and truck. A 20-foot runabout rides behind a pickup on a standard trailer; a 38-foot cruiser needs a semi-tractor and a hydraulic boat trailer.
If your boat already sits on a road-legal trailer, a hauler can tow it, which is usually the cheapest option. Boats without a trailer are lifted onto the carrier's hydraulic or bunk trailer.
Loads taller than 13'6" need route surveys and sometimes the removal of towers, T-tops, radar arches or windshields.
Spring commissioning and fall haul-out are the busiest windows. Prices rise in April–June and again in October when everyone moves boats at once.
Marinas, boatyards and storage lots with forklifts or travel lifts make loading faster. Tight residential streets or soft ground can require a smaller truck and add time.
Mast unstepping on sailboats, shrink-wrapping, cradle building or crane time are billed separately by the yard or the hauler.
Types of Boats We Ship
- Bass boats, jon boats and fishing skiffs
- Center consoles and bay boats
- Ski and wakeboard boats
- Pontoons and tritoons
- Deck boats and bowriders
- Sailboats and daysailers (mast down)
- Cabin cruisers and express cruisers
- Personal watercraft and jet skis
- Catamarans and multihulls (permitted loads)
- Small yachts — see our yacht shipping service for larger vessels
Shipping on Your Trailer vs. the Carrier's Trailer
The hauler hooks up and tows your boat and trailer together. Before pickup, check tire pressure and tread, wheel bearings, lights, the winch strap, safety chains and tie-downs. You are responsible for the trailer's roadworthiness, so a pre-trip service is worth the small cost.
The boat is lifted and set on padded bunks or adjustable hydraulic pads that spread the hull's weight evenly. This is standard for boats without a trailer, for boats bought from a dealer or marina, and for anything too large for a consumer trailer.
Wooden hulls are best moved in a custom cradle built to their shape. If your boat already has one, tell us at quote so the hauler plans to use it.
How to Prepare a Boat for Shipping
- Photograph the boat from every angle before you remove anything — it helps with reassembly and with any claim
- Remove personal items, electronics and anything loose above or below deck
- Drain fuel to about a quarter tank or less and empty water and holding tanks
- Pull the drain plugs from the hull
- Disconnect the batteries and tie the cables away from the terminals
- Close, latch and tape hatches, windows and cabin doors
- Lower or remove antennas, outriggers, biminis and canvas tops
- Unstep the mast on sailboats and secure rigging
- Measure the overall height on the trailer so the hauler can plan the route
- Leave clear access with about 14 feet of overhead clearance at the loading spot
How Boat Shipping Works With ShipMyCar US
- 1
Request a Quote
Share the boat's make, model, length, beam and height, whether it has a trailer, and the pickup and delivery locations. We return a firm price for your route.
- 2
Permits and Route
For loads wider than 8'6" we arrange state oversize permits and any escort vehicles, and plan the route around low bridges and restricted roads.
- 3
Pickup and Inspection
The driver inspects the hull and fittings with you, records condition on the Bill of Lading, and secures the boat with padded straps.
- 4
Delivery
Your boat is delivered to the marina, storage yard or address you choose. Inspect it with the driver before signing the delivery receipt.
What to Look for in a Boat Shipping Company
Interstate boat haulers need an active USDOT number and MC operating authority. You can look up any company for free on the FMCSA SAFER system.
Confirm the hauler's cargo policy covers marine craft and that the limit matches your boat's value. Ask your own marine insurer whether your policy covers the vessel in transit, too.
Be cautious of any company that wants full payment before the boat is picked up. With ShipMyCar US you never pay in full upfront; the balance is due at pickup.
For moves that take several days, ask for regular status updates or GPS tracking.
Common Reasons People Ship Boats
Moving house to a new state and taking the boat with you.
Boats bought from a dealer, broker or private seller hundreds of miles away.
Snowbirds sending a boat to Florida, the Gulf Coast or Arizona lakes for the winter. See our snowbird auto shipping options for your car, too.
Specialist yards for engine, hull or gelcoat work that aren't available locally.
Trailering a large boat yourself takes days, a heavy-duty truck and a lot of nerve on mountain grades.
What Happens on Delivery Day
The driver calls ahead with an arrival window. At delivery, inspect the hull, outdrive, trailer, canvas and electronics against your pickup photos before signing the Bill of Lading. If the boat is going straight into the water, coordinate with your marina so a launch slot is ready when the truck arrives. If it's going into storage, confirm the facility's receiving hours.
FAQ
Boat Shipping — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about boat shipping from the ShipMyCar US team.
QHow much does it cost to ship a boat?
Most trailerable boats ship for about $1.25–$2.00 per mile. Wider boats that need oversize permits run roughly $2.00–$3.75 per mile. A 1,000-mile move for a standard-width boat typically costs $1,250–$2,000.
QHow much does it cost to transport a boat per mile?
The average for legal-width boats is about $1.63 per mile. Rates go up with beam because permits and escorts are needed above 8'6" wide, and they come down per mile on very long trips.
QCan you ship my boat on its own trailer?
Yes. If the trailer is road-legal, a hauler can tow your boat on it. Have the tires, bearings, lights and winch checked first, since the trailer's condition is your responsibility.
QDo I need a permit to ship a boat?
Only if the load is wider than 8'6", taller than about 13'6" on the trailer, or over the state weight limits. We arrange any permits and escorts the route requires.
QHow long does boat shipping take?
Short regional moves usually take 2–5 days. Cross-country boat transport takes about 7–14 days, longer for oversize loads that can only travel during daylight on certain days.
QIs my boat insured during transport?
The assigned hauler carries cargo insurance. Ask for the certificate and check that the limit covers your boat's value, and confirm with your marine insurer whether your own policy also applies in transit.
QCan I leave gear inside the boat?
Remove personal items and electronics. Loose gear can shift and cause damage, and personal belongings aren't covered by the hauler's cargo insurance.
QCan you ship a boat without a trailer?
Yes. Boats without trailers ship on hydraulic boat trailers or cradles, which the carrier provides.
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Source: every broker and carrier's operating authority, safety rating, and insurance status is public record — verify any company for free at the FMCSA SAFER System.
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