There is nothing quite like being on a boat. Looking out over the open water, admiring the sunset or sunrise over the horizon. Feeling like a character in a film and having tons of fun or sitting back, relaxing and soaking up the peace and tranquillity. But being a boat owner is not all sunsets and sea shanties. There is also a great deal of work involved and things to consider.
Owning a boat comes with many responsibilities and duties that you have to be aware of before you take the plunge and buy one for yourself. Boats need regular maintenance and care, but just how often should you haul it out, and how can you go about moving it? Read on to find out…
How often should a boat be hauled out for maintenance?
How often you need to haul out your boat for maintenance can vary based on a number of factors. The quality of the water that it is in, if you have experienced any issues and even personal preference can all play a part in your decision. The important thing is that you do in fact give your boat a total overhaul regularly.
In general, your boat should be hauled out every 2-3 years for maintenance, though some boat owners prefer to do it annually. At the end of the boating season, if you live somewhere that has a clearly defined season, many people haul out their boats and give them a thorough service.
Some boat owners choose to store their boats ashore during the colder months, so it makes sense to use this time to check it over and take care of any and all maintenance needs. Just remember that if you are in an area where many people may have the same idea, you should plan ahead and book your boat in before time.
Regular maintenance of the level required for boats does take time, is tough and can cost a fair amount. But it is an absolute necessity for any boat. Your entire boat needs to be inspected thoroughly and if you leave it too long, you could be risking more than just the boat’s health at the end of the day. Make sure that you regularly haul out your boat for maintenance and stay safe for longer.
How do you move a boat?
Moving a boat may not be quite as simple as moving a car, but there are still several different ways you can go about it. Some of these are suitable for boats of all sizes, while others will not work if the boat is too large. Ways that you can move your boat include:
- Doing it yourself – some boats can be moved by towing them behind your car. Remember that a certain size of boat will require a permit, a special route or even an escort to get you where you want to go when you move your boat by road.
- Having someone else tow it for you – some people choose to hire someone to tow their boat behind their van, use a trailer, pickup truck or similar if the boat is of a small enough size. This can be helpful if you are unsure about the rules surrounding driving with your own boat.
- Hire a delivery captain – if you want to move your boat from point A to point B by sea, you can hire someone to captain your boat and deliver it right to you. This can be incredibly costly, however. You have to pay for the captain to get to your boat and back home again. You have to pay a generous wage for them and their crew, food, fuel and so on.
- Use a professional boat moving company – you can ship your boat domestically or internationally, though international boat shipping can again be very expensive.
One of the best ways to move a boat is unarguably using an experienced and reputable company like Darwin Transport. If you wish to have it done right. They offer a high-end interstate boat transportation system that guarantees your boat will get where you need it to without any issues. They offer a variety of methods and modes of transport depending on the size of your boat.
While there are many ways to move a boat, those available to you may vary depending on where it is that you want to go, the measurements of your boat, the time of year and more. If you are still unsure how to go about moving your boat where you need it, consult a boat transportation specialist for help and advice.
How do you prepare a boat for transport?
Now that you know how to move your boat, it is essential that you properly prepare it for its journey. There are many steps that you should take, including:
- Take photographs of your boat as it is to check against it at the other end of the journey
- Remove any personal items, food and so on
- Remove any flammable items, extra fuel, flares, propane and so on
- Remove your boat from the water
- Clean your boat thoroughly, removing any barnacles or growths from the hull
- Photograph your boat out of the water
- Empty your fuel tank, and holding tanks and detach the cables from the battery
- Remove anything that can be detached such as the anchor, buoys and so on
- Secure all hatches
- Remove anything valuable and ship separately such as expensive electronic components
You can also opt to shrink-wrap your boat or similar to keep it as pristine as you have made it. Moving a boat involves far more than simply making a call or deciding to do it yourself that day. Make sure you do your research, properly prepare, and take all precautions to keep your boat safe and secure.
Final thoughts
When it comes to boat maintenance and boat transportation, it is essential that you prepare thoroughly, know what you are doing and then do it right. It is so important to haul your boat out for maintenance regularly, and it is also important that you have a full understanding of what is involved in moving your boat where it needs to go.
If you are looking to transport your boat interstate in Australia, contact Darwin Transport for a high-quality efficient service carried out by experienced professionals today.