Areas of Expertise
LEGAL BOAT TRANSPORT
NATIONAL BOAT & YACHT
TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION
National Affiliation Of Legal And Insured Boat Transporters And Boat Transport Brokers
There are two general types of Boat Transport Companies; Boat Transport Brokers and Boat
Transport Carriers. Each type can have advantages for the Boat and Yacht Shipper:
Select A Boat Transport Broker Or Boat Transport Carrier
It is logical to think that working directly with the Boat Transport Carrier, the shipping price would be lower by not dealing
with a middleman. Often this is the case, but sometimes this logic doesn't hold true. Since most Brokers have access to
several Boat Transporters, they can sometimes obtain a shipping rate from a Carrier that is attractive and is actually lower
then the Carrier would bid the movement himself at the time of booking. Since Boat Transport Brokers typically are involved
in the movement of a lot of boats, they can potentially offer lower Shipping Rates to a customer.
Boat Transport Brokers do not know at the time of booking which Carrier might be Shipping The Boat, nor does the Broker
own or control the Trucks that may end up actually Moving Your Boat. Due to this, the requirements involving routing and
timing of the Boat Delivery needs to be more flexible when utilizing a Boat Transport Broker. Brokers usually have more
sophisticated ordering and communications systems then Carriers, so initial communication results can usually be better
when using a Broker. Typically during transit, the communications for the Boat Shipment will transfer from the Boat
Transport Broker to the Boat Transportation Carrier.
The Boat Transport Broker may not have any Legal Liability to you and the Boat Owner may not have any reasonable
repercussion against the Broker if there is a problem Transporting Your Boat. Brokers don't insure the Boat and any
guarantees concerning Insurance, Delivery, and other portions of the Boat Shipment Process are mostly beyond the Brokers
Control. A Good Broker will assist in the mediation of any problem that may occur. When dealing with a Broker always ask
for, and look up their MC Number on the SAFER System. An Illegal Boat Transportation Broker will probably not feel
obligated to use only Legal and Properly Insured Boat Transport Carriers. A Quality, Legal Broker will develop a strong
network of Reliable, Safe, Legal, and Insured Boat Transportation Carriers at their disposal and will leverage this capacity in
order to secure the lowest possible Shipping Rate for your Boat. It is also the safe and prudent thing to request and look up
the Boat Transport Carrier's US DOT and MC Numbers on the Safer system and to request a copy of their ACORD
Insurance form prior to actual shipment of the Boat.
Boat Transport Carriers are the actual Trucking Companies that will Move Your Boat or Yacht. Many people prefer to
make arrangements directly with the Transporter. In some cases, by dealing directly with the Carrier, a Shipper may be
limiting the services available to only what that Carrier has to offer. At times, dealing directly with the Carrier will prove to
be less expensive, but there may be more time and work involved finding the right Carrier that suits your needs. A typical,
casual Boat or Yacht Shipper will not know the Carriers or have the network of Carriers available to select from.
Improved communications by the elimination of the middleman can also be attractive, assuming the Carrier you have
selected is one that suits your needs and requirements. Boat Carriers typically don't have the staff or budget to market
themselves to the public, so finding the Boat Transport Carrier of choice, offering the services you require, can be a large
task. For those that Ship Boats regularly, finding a good, reputable Carrier to work directly with, can be a good option.  
When dealing directly with the Carrier, approximate loading and delivery dates for your Boat Movement are usually known
and established at the time the shipment is contracted. The Carrier usually knows his Truck's Schedule and routing at that
time and can give reasonably close pick-up and delivery date estimates when quoting and booking the Shipment. Direct
communications have already been established with the Carrier during the quote and booking time period and continued
communications to delivery can easily be continued.
Since the Carrier operates with the Legal Authority and Insurance, if there are any problems Transporting Your Boat, the
primary Company responsible for the Boat Shipment is already known and communications have already been established.
This can prove to be a plus in the selection of a Boat Transport Carrier. Always request and look up the Boat Transport
Carrier's US DOT and MC Numbers on the Safer system and to request a copy of their ACORD Insurance form.
In Summary, both approaches, utilizing a Boat Transport Broker or Boat Transport Carrier have their advantages.
When dealing with either type of Company always determine what services are included in their quote and contract and
verify the Legality of the Company and their Operating Authority and Insurance.
Boat Transport Broker
Boat Transport Brokers do not Ship Boats themselves. Brokers specialize in finding good, qualified carriers who can Move a
Boat for the price you desire and within the general time frame you want the Boat Shipped. A Good Boat Transport Broker
has access to a network of Legal and Insured Boat Transport Carriers and will usually try and leverage this in order to find a
truck going in the correct direction with an open spot. Because of this, Boat Transport Brokers often can offer pricing that is
equal to or better than a Shipper could find by dealing directly with the Boat Carrier. In addition, the Boat shipper may not
have access to, or the Boat Transport Companies may not be known to the customer.
Boat Transport Carrier