Boat Transport Services Across the United States
Moving a boat takes more planning than moving a car. The size, the trailer, the route and the permits all change from one boat to the next. AutoStar Transport Express is a licensed auto transport broker (FMCSA MC #600908). We arrange boat transport with vetted carriers that haul boats for a living, and we stay with you from the first quote until the boat is delivered.
Where are you shipping your vehicle?
Start with a ZIP code — we'll fill in the city and state.
Tip: a ZIP code (e.g. 33101) gives the most accurate quote — we'll fill in the city and state.
ZIP or city (e.g. 10001 — New York, NY).
Boats we can arrange transport for
- Fishing boats and bass boats
- Sailboats
- Speedboats and runabouts
- Pontoon boats
- Personal watercraft (jet skis and similar)
- Other recreational and specialty vessels
If your boat is not on the list, tell us what it is. We will tell you whether we can arrange the move.
Short and long distance
We arrange boat transport for local moves, regional moves and long-distance routes, including interstate transport. Typical reasons our customers move a boat:
- Buying or selling a boat in another state
- Moving to a new home, or relocating a boat between a primary home and a second home
- Seasonal moves, such as taking a boat south for the winter or back north for the season
- Moving a boat to or from a dealer, a service yard or a storage facility
How boat transport works
- 1
Tell us about the boat
Year, make and model, and the exact dimensions of the boat and of the trailer it is on. We usually ask for a photo, although it is not always needed.
- 2
Tell us about the route
Pickup and delivery locations and the dates you have in mind. Include any limits at either end, such as a narrow street or a marina with restricted access.
- 3
Get your quote
Our specialized agents, who work with boats on a regular basis, review the details and send a quote. The price depends on the size of the boat, the distance, the route and the time of year.
- 4
We match your boat with a carrier
We work with vetted carriers whose equipment and experience fit your boat.
- 5
Pickup and loading
The carrier inspects the boat, checks the loading setup and secures it for the road.
- 6
Transport and delivery
The carrier hauls the boat to the delivery location. We stay in touch about the schedule along the way. Pickup and delivery windows are estimates and can change with weather, road conditions and permits.
Dimensions, permits and route planning
Size decides how a boat travels. In most states, a load wider than 8 feet 6 inches is considered oversize and needs a permit, and wider or taller loads can come with extra rules such as travel-time limits, escort vehicles or approved routes. The rules are set state by state, so a long route can involve several sets of rules.
- The carrier handles the permits that apply to the load, where they are required.
- Accurate measurements at the quote stage help avoid surprises on the route.
- Height matters as much as width. Bridges and overpasses along the route are checked before the trip.
Carrier requirements
Boat transport needs the right equipment. The carriers we work with use equipment suited to boats, such as marine trailers or step-deck trailers with the proper tie-down setup.
Insurance
AutoStar does not carry an insurance policy for vehicle transports, as we are not the carrier. Coverage for transport-related damages is provided by the assigned carrier, which AutoStar screens and selects.
Loading and delivery options
Boat on its own trailer: the carrier hauls the boat and trailer together, when the trailer is road-ready.
Boat without a trailer: we can still arrange the transport, but the cost may increase significantly. A crane or a marina lift loads the boat onto a trailer, and smaller boats can be loaded directly onto a trailer with the traditional launch-ramp method. We strongly encourage you to provide the equipment or accommodations needed for loading and unloading when there is no trailer. Tell us in advance if the boat is in the water or in a boat yard.
Delivery locations: your home, a marina, a boat yard, a dealer or a storage facility. Access at the delivery point is confirmed ahead of time.
Before pickup: remove loose gear, secure or take off canvas and electronics that can come loose, and check that the boat is clean and drained. The carrier will go over the list with you.
Why ship your boat with AutoStar
Licensed property broker, FMCSA MC #600908 and USDOT #2239014
19+ years arranging vehicle transport and a network of 25,000+ vetted carriers
Rated 4.6 out of 5 across more than 7,600 customer reviews
One point of contact from the quote to delivery
Boat Transport FAQs
Boat transport costs are hard to estimate in advance. Unlike standard vehicle transport, there is often limited information about the boat's dimensions, weight, trailer status and loading requirements, so each boat shipment needs individual research and planning to give an accurate quote. Send us the boat's measurements and the pickup and delivery locations to get a quote.
You can tow it yourself if you have a suitable vehicle and trailer, or you can hire a boat transport carrier. A carrier is usually the better choice for long distances, large boats and loads that need oversize permits. AutoStar arranges the carrier for you.
Yes, we can still arrange it, although the cost may increase significantly. A crane or a marina lift can load the boat onto a trailer, and smaller boats can be loaded directly onto a trailer using the traditional launch-ramp method. When there is no trailer, we strongly encourage you to provide the equipment or accommodations needed for loading and unloading.
Yes. We arrange long-distance and interstate boat transport. Longer routes involve more states, so the permit and route planning matters more.
It depends on the distance, the size of the load, the permits, the weather and the carrier's schedule. We give you an estimate when you request the quote. Pickup and delivery dates are estimates, not fixed dates.
Year, make and model, the exact dimensions of the boat and of the trailer it is on, pickup and delivery locations, and your preferred dates. A photo is usually requested, though not always necessary.
It depends on the size of the load and the states on the route. Wide and tall loads usually need permits. The carrier handles the permits that apply.
We arrange transport for personal watercraft. Tell us the model and whether it travels on its own trailer.