| Boat Towing Carrier or Broker | | | | will help. |
| | | | |
| There are many boat towing companies whose | | | | * Remove canvas covers. Covers must be |
| main business is the smaller loads, or even | | | | removed as they will tear or fly off during |
| large power boats, but if you have big boat, | | | | transit. |
| it requires special loading and handling. | | | | |
| First, ask if they are the ones who are going | | | | * Inspect cradles. If your boat has its own |
| to transport your boat, or if they are just a | | | | cradle, inspect it carefully for loose bolts |
| broker. Second, ask if the driver they intend | | | | or weakness of any kind. |
| to load your boat has experience with your | | | | |
| type of load. Ask as many specific questions | | | | * Dinghies. Do not leave dinghy on davits, |
| as you can: how they intend to load your | | | | these items should be well padded. |
| boat, will it require any special equipment, | | | | |
| will the load require any special permits. If | | | | * External accessories. All electronics, |
| they cannot answer these questions easily and | | | | radar, hailers, horns, antennas, propellers, |
| professionally, chances are they are either a | | | | flag masts, lights, anchor lights, etc. must |
| broker or unfamiliar with your type of load. | | | | be removed and securely stored below. |
| | | | |
| Pick Reputable Boat Towing Company | | | | * Hatches. Tie and/or tape hatches from the |
| | | | outside. If the hatches leak, seal them. A |
| Professional boat towing companies are | | | | boat will not sit in the same position on the |
| expensive because they do their job right. | | | | carrier's trailer as it does in the water and |
| They require the proper equipment; they hire | | | | the carrier cannot be responsible for rain |
| experienced drivers and loaders, which | | | | water entering through a leaky hatch or deck. |
| command a premium price. Don't gamble with | | | | |
| your boat just because a boat towing company | | | | * Windows / windshields. Cabin windows |
| has insurance either, anyone who has been | | | | should be latched and taped from the outside. |
| around boats long enough knows that repairing | | | | All windshields and/or Plexiglas that |
| damage is not quite the same thing with a | | | | protrude over the flying bridge should be |
| boat as with other vehicles. | | | | removed, packed with a cargo blanket and |
| | | | should be well secured below. |
| Tips to Prepare Your Boat for Towing | | | | |
| | | | * Winterization. If you are towing your boat |
| * Stow all loose gear and secure. Make | | | | during the winter months, then you need to |
| certain that all loose items in your vessel | | | | winterize the engine, toilets, the water |
| such as plates, galley utensils, personal | | | | systems or any other weather sensitive device |
| items or any other non-secured have been | | | | on the vessel. |
| secured or removed from the vessel. | | | | |
| | | | * Shrink wrap is an excellent way to protect |
| * Drain fuel and water tanks. There should | | | | your boat during towing. However, a poor |
| not be any water in the bilge while it is | | | | shrink wrap may tear due to the high winds |
| being transported. During winter months, | | | | generated by road travel. If this happens, |
| water should be drained from water systems, | | | | the vessel could suffer damage from the |
| pumps, air conditioners, etc. | | | | shrink wrap beating, chaffing and scratching |
| | | | the vessel. Boat movers will not accept |
| * Disconnect all battery cables. Remove any | | | | responsibility for damages caused by shrink |
| device or fixture that extends beyond the | | | | wrap. |
| hull of the boat such as antennas, radar, | | | | |
| compasses or depth sounders. These devices | | | | Towing portal helps people to save money and |
| should be secured inside the boat for towing. | | | | get much faster service, no matter that kind |
| | | | of transport they need. Service is completely |
| * Remove anchors from the deck. | | | | free for members to post their loads. Visit |
| | | | and find more boat transport tips. |
| * Dry out wooden boats. A coat of linseed oil | | | | |