How To Transport A Yacht Safely

yacht transport

People buy yachts for a variety of reasons. Some purchase them as investments, and others get them for their pleasure. Either way, yacht owners must understand how to transport them safely to places they need to go.  

What qualifies a boat as a yacht? The general, unofficial rule is that a boat (power or sail) is defined as or considered a yacht if it is over 40 feet (12 meters) in length. Superyachts are typically any vessel over 60 feet (24 meters).

A novice’s thinking might be to sail the yacht to travel from Point A to Point B. But any self-respecting boat owner knows it’s not that simple. After all, only some vessels are long-distance cruisers. The rest, unfortunately, can’t handle extended expeditions.  

So, if you’ve got a yacht and plan to take it somewhere, this is the article for you. Read on to learn how to protect your boat before and during transport.



Choose A Reputable Transport Service

Some yacht owners can tow their boats by themselves. But most still need professional help, especially if they lack the equipment. That said, if you need assistance to ship your boat, you can seek the services of a reputable team with years of experience. They’ll ensure your yacht gets to its destination with no damages that’ll worry you. 

Researching thoroughly and asking other yacht owners will give you different results. However, not all companies offer equal services as the others. So, you must weigh each pro and con before deciding on a logistics team to do the job. If you’re gut tells you a shipping business is giving off alarm bells, move on to another transport company like Titan Worldwide. Trustworthy services often have detailed websites and contact information, which you can call or email without fuss.  

Once you’ve chosen a company, feel free to ask for a quote and provide them with all the necessary details. You’d want to keep communication clear and open as soon as possible.

yacht delivery

Know Your Options

There are many ways to transport your yacht to your desired location. Take a look at these three options you can choose from:

  • By land – This method is most commonly used for transporting smaller boats. It’s the ideal choice for short-distance travel.
  • By sea – It’s possible to transport your yacht by sea. But a cargo ship will do all the work. Yacht owners may choose this option if the location is too far or in another country.
  • By air – The last option is quite rare except in some special cases. A helicopter is a usual vehicle used to carry yachts.

Your decision would depend on factors like the yacht’s size and the company’s available offers. Communicate with the logistics team to choose which one’s best for your boat’s safety.

Plan For The Transport

Planning for anything takes excellent care, especially when moving an expensive yacht. So, don’t forget about insurance when you’ve chosen a boat transport company. Even if the team works carefully, accidents and inconveniences aren’t always in their control. Your yacht may still incur slight damages during transport. Insurance coverage from the company will protect you from paying out of pocket if something happens to the vessel. 

Aside from that, you should also have a route ready. Having one helps the company move your yacht without facing too many obstacles. When planning your course, look out for narrow bridges or anything that may delay the team to make travel more efficient. Afterward, contact authorities to inform them of the yacht transport on this route. In case of issues, they could lead you to detours when traffic isn’t in your favor.

Keep Communication Lines Open

As soon as your yacht is loaded, it’s in the shipping company’s hands. So, communicate with them until they reach the destination, whether a neighboring state or the Mediterranean islands. Poor communication is one of the significant issues of vehicle transport, which could lead to delivery misunderstandings or physical damages. 

However, that doesn’t mean you should call the logistics team hourly. A reliable company will contact you occasionally to give you updates or ask you questions. Therefore, you have to keep your lines open in case they call. Some vehicle transport businesses might also have a tracking app for clients to check in and see real-time progress. Put it to good use to ensure your yacht is safe the whole way through.

A Quick Summary

Keeping your yacht safe during transport requires a few essential steps. First, you need to choose a reputable vehicle shipping service. Next, plan a travel route and get insurance for your boat. Before you load the yacht, secure loose items and remove anything that may incur damages or get lost during transit. Then communicate with the transport company for updates while they travel.  

As long as you work with a great team, your yacht should be safe. So, remember this article when it’s time to transport your vessel somewhere else.


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Editorial Staff

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This article was written by MyBoatLife.com editorial staff.
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