The
ultimate cost of transporting a boat can be heavily impacted by the
boat's measurements loaded on the trailer. It is critical that
the information and dimensions that are provided regarding the boat be
accurate when requesting a quote. The boat needs to be measured
to double check the manufacturer's information in the owner's
manual. The following will give the basics as to how to go about
obtaining the measurements.
Overall Boat Length
measurement should be measured from the tip of the bow to the
centermost part of the stern. This would be from the most aft
fixed appendage attached to the boat to the forward most fixed
appendage of the bow or bow pulpit. Include in your measurements
bow pulpits, stern rails, swim platforms, motor brackets and the length
of motors or outdrives in the raised position. If the boat is on
a trailer, measure from the tip of the tongue to the end of the motor.
Total Height is
measured from the bottom of the keel to the highest non-removable part
of the boat. The typical bridge clearance in the USA
is 13'6" to 14'. Boats with an overall height greater than
13'6" loaded on the trailer require special handling and routing.
It is therefore critical that this measurement is accurate. The
draft
which is the distance from the bottom of the keel to the waterline plus
from the waterline to the highest part of the vessel equal the standing
height. If the boat has for example a flybridge, it may be
necessary to obtain the height without the bridge to determine if
its removal is necessary.
Beam is the
overall width and is measured as the widest point of the boat including
the rubrail and anything attached to the boat. Boats that are
greater than 8'6" wide are regarded as oversized vessels and require
state permits for oversized loads. Boats that have a beam of
greater than 12' will require a certified escort which will also add to
the transport costs.
The best rule of thumb when measuring a boat is to do the measurements
carefully, write everything down as the measurements are made and at
the end, do it all over again to double check. Measure twice for
peace of mind and the safety of your boat.
Please contact us at 252.249.2001 or email us,
paul@tritonyachts.com, if you
have questions regarding measuring your boat and we will be happy to
assist you.
Thank you for giving us the
opportunity to be of service.