Coming from a life well lived on the mighty waters of Michigan’s Great Lakes, as well as many smaller inland lakes, I know a thing or two about boating in Michigan. Not only do I live in an area of Southeast Michigan nicknamed the “Lakes Area,” but I have also had the privilege of traveling on the Great Lakes in large boats.
For example, my ex-father-in-law had a forty-eight foot Sea Ray that slept six, had a full kitchen and two bathrooms, a deck that sat eight, and a flybridge up top to sit comfortably while the captain steered the boat. We had many trips to Lake Huron and the St Claire River.
When he retired, he and his closest friend earned their captain’s license and moved large boats from Michigan to Florida for fun and a fee. The trip began on Lake Huron, over to Lake Erie, then to Lake Ontario, to the St Lawrence River, and finally out into the Atlantic Ocean to the Florida coast.
Michigan and Florida are always competing for the top boating state. According to boating experts Discover Boating, the following top states for boating are below:
- Florida ($1.5 billion)
- Texas ($982 million)
- Michigan ($454 million)
- New York ($448 million)
- Louisiana ($447 million)
- Minnesota ($412 million)
- North Carolina ($403 million)
- Delaware ($385 million)
- Wisconsin ($378 million)
- Alabama ($333 million)
The cost of shipping a boat by water will depend on the size of the boat, the distance it needs to be shipped, and the number of stops along the way. Other ways a boat can be transported are:
- Overland transport (towing the boat via a trailer on the road)
- Water transport (long-distance or international transportation like my ex-father-in-law did in his retirement)
- Air freight
- Roll-on/roll-off (“ROLO” boat is rolled onto and off the ship using a wheeled trailer)
- Enclosed shipping container
- Lift-on/lift-off (LOLO” load the boat onto the top deck of a cargo vessel)
- Flat rack (boat in its own custom cradle, strapped to a flat rack)
How much does it cost to move a boat?
So, you’re moving south from the Great Lakes but do not want to leave the boat behind. But will moving companies move the house, the dogs, and the boat, too? The answer is that it depends.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning to move a boat:
- Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see the regulations for moving a boat. Each state has different rules and regulations regarding boats, so you must know what they are before you even begin to plan your move.
- Find a moving company that is willing to move your boat. This may be difficult as many moving companies will not move boats due to the liability involved. If you have trouble finding a company, try contacting a boat moving company. These companies specialize in moving boats and will likely be more than willing to help you out.
- Get an estimate for the cost of moving your boat by contacting a few moving companies and getting estimates from each. Be sure to include the cost of gas, the cost of the boat itself, and any other fees that may be associated with the move.
- Figure out how you are going to transport your boat. You can either drive it yourself or have it towed by a moving company. If you decide to drive it yourself, be sure to get insurance for the boat in case anything happens to it during the move.
- Make sure to pack your boat correctly, that all the windows and doors are secure, that all the compartments are empty, and that there is no loose gear onboard. Also, be sure to label all the boxes so you know what goes where.
- Load or have your boat loaded onto the moving truck. Be sure to tie it down securely so that it does not move around during the move. Again, if you have hired professional movers, they should take care of all of this for you.
How are boats moved?
Where I live, in Southeast Michigan, northwest of the city of Detroit, they call it the “Lakes Area,” which is in Oakland County and is made up of several towns and communities. We have hundreds of small to medium-sized inland lakes throughout the area. In fact, to be exact, Oakland County’s official website states, “Oakland County boasts more than 1,400 lakes and numerous streams stemming from its six major watersheds,”.
Put it this way: it doesn’t matter where you live in this area; even if you are not on a lake or in view of one, a lake will be within walking distance. Wherever I turn, there is an inland lake to play in and explore. As you might imagine, the roads are very curvy as they all wind around the lakes. I used to live closer to the city, and when I moved out here to the Lake Area, I frequently found myself lost.
Why? I was used to roads that traveled out of the city like a grid, only in a north, south, east, or west direction. In the Lakes Area, one minute, you’ll be traveling eastbound on one road, and then all of a sudden, the road starts going northwest! Today, I know my way around well, but in the beginning, it was something to get used to.
Here in the Lakes Area, there are many people with boats. Some people only move their boats twice a year, once to load them into the water and the second time to take them out. These folks are usually lakefront, so they stay on their own lakes all summer. Then some are like my son. He drops his boat in and out of many lakes all summer long. He also likes to take it up north Michigan on the Au Sable River to go primitive camping with his friends.
How are boats transported?
Boats can be transported using various methods, including overland towing, water transport, air freight, roll-on/roll-off, enclosed shipping containers, lift-on/lift-off, and flat rack shipping. Costs vary based on size, distance, and necessary logistics.