MARINE SERVICES AT YOUR DISPOSAL

Cardinal Boat Movers believes in educating our customers for smoother boat transports, hauling, and shipping services in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Please take a few moments to browse our most frequently asked questions. Should you not find the answer to your specific question listed below, please feel free to contact us today via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• What should I know about preparing my boat for transportation?
• Do you accept any responsibility for damages during shipping?
• How do I measure my boat’s overall length and height?
• Do you offer free estimates?

Q. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PREPARING MY BOAT FOR TRANSPORTATION?

A. We’ve assembled a step-by-step guide for preparing your boat for transport. To ensure a safe and successful boat transport, we kindly ask that you make every effort to prepare and secure your boat according to the below guidelines:

1. Always stow and secure all loose gear. (Ensure you only have boat gear onboard, as we cannot ship household goods.)
2. Lock the cabin and keep the key; do not give the key to the driver.
3. Ensure there is no water in the bilge. (During the winter months, it’s important to drain all water from your boat’s water systems, pumps, air conditioners, etc.)
4. Disconnect and secure all batteries.
5. Remove your boat’s anchors from the deck.
6. To avoid a wooden boat from drying out, apply a coat of linseed oil.
7. Remove all canvas covers, as they are likely to tear or fly off during transit. If your boat is shrink-wrapped, ensure the wrap is tear-free and secure.
8. Inspect your boat’s cradle carefully for loose bolts or weaknesses. If your boat has its own trailer, ensure the rollers and frame are in good condition.
9. Provide adequate padding for an on-board dinghy. Never leave a dinghy on davits.
10. Remove, pack and securely store all electronics, radar, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc.
11. Tie and/or tape hatches securely on the outside of your boat.
12. Seal any hatches or decks that are leaking to prevent rainwater from entering.
13. Latch and tape all cabin windows on the outside of your boat.
14. Remove, pack (with a cargo blanket) and secure all windshields (or Plexiglas) that protrude over the flying bridge.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING SAILBOATS

• Remove all rigging, winches, wind indicators and lights from the mast.
• Provide carpet for the mast at the points of tie down.
• Remove lifelines, stanchions and bow and stern pulpits if they render the boat over height.
• On centre-board sailboats, ensure the centre board is secured and will stay up in transit.

Q. DO YOU ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES DURING SHIPPING?

A. We strongly recommend all shippers follow the instructions in the step-by-step boat transport prepping guide on this page. If your boat is not properly prepared for shipment, your boat will be shipped “as is,” and Cardinal Boat Movers will not accept responsibility for any resulting damage. Specifically, Cardinal Boat Movers is not responsible for any of the following:

• Faulty or defective cradles, trailers, chains, binders or other equipment provided by the shipper to secure the cargo
• Damage to your boat due to inherent dry rot or weakness
• Damage to your boat caused by loose gear
• Normal road dirt on your boat
• Damage to your boat resulting from the removal of shrink-wrap that was torn or flew off
• Damage to any electronic equipment that was not secured
• Damage to hatches that were not secured properly
• Rainwater that entered the boat through a leaky hatch or deck
• Chafing of paint from masts
• Damage to masts that were secured to the boat

Q. HOW DO I MEASURE MY BOAT’S OVERALL LENGTH AND HEIGHT?

A. To determine the overall boat length, measure from the tip of your boat’s bow to the centremost part of its stern. Be sure to include all bow pulpits, stern rails, swim platforms, motor brackets and the length of your motors or outdrives in the raised position. The height should be measured from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part of the boat. Cardinal Boat Movers is capable of picking up and delivering hard-to-move vessels up to 70’ long.

Q. DO YOU OFFER FREE ESTIMATES?

A. Yes, we do. Please contact us via phone or email to request your free estimate. Please be sure to have your boat’s exact measurements handy for a more accurate quote.