Boat transport glossary

B C D F H L M O P R S T U

B

Beam

The width of a boat at its widest point, including rub rails and fittings. For road transport, the loaded beam decides whether an oversize permit is needed: anything over 8 ft 6 in (102 in) is an oversize load. See how to measure your boat.

Bill of lading (BOL)

The shipping document the driver and owner sign at pickup and delivery. It records the boat's condition; note any existing or new damage on it before signing.

Broker

A company that arranges transport with a carrier for a fee rather than moving the boat itself. Brokers must hold FMCSA broker authority; ask which carrier will actually move your boat.

Bunk trailer

A boat trailer with long carpeted boards (bunks) that support the hull. Common for trailerable boats and pontoons.

C

Cargo insurance

Insurance held by the carrier that covers damage to the goods being transported. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing a limit at least equal to your boat's value. See boat transport insurance.

Carrier

A company that physically transports your boat with its own trucks and drivers.

Certificate of insurance (COI)

A document from an insurer confirming a company's coverage, limits and policy dates.

Cradle

A frame that supports a boat (especially a sailboat) out of the water. Some boats are transported in their own cradle on a flatbed trailer.

D

Delivery captain

A professional skipper who moves a seaworthy boat by water to its destination, an alternative to road or ship transport for larger boats.

Door-to-door transport

Pickup and delivery as close to your addresses as the truck can safely reach, as opposed to terminal-to-terminal service.

Draft

How far the hull and keel extend below the waterline. For sailboats, a deep draft means the boat sits higher on a trailer, which affects loaded height.

F

Float-on/float-off (FloFlo)

Shipping a yacht by sea on a semi-submersible ship that lowers its deck so yachts can float on and off.

FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal agency that regulates interstate trucking companies, carriers and freight brokers in the U.S.

Frost laws (seasonal weight restrictions)

Spring weight limits that some northern states and counties place on roads while the ground thaws. They can delay heavy loads in March and April.

H

Height pole

A tall measuring pole on the front escort vehicle that checks clearance under bridges and wires for very tall loads.

Hydraulic boat trailer

A specialist trailer with hydraulically adjustable arms and pads that lift and support the hull. Commonly used for cruisers, yachts and sailboats, and for loading boats that aren't on their own trailer.

L

Legal width (102 inches)

The standard maximum vehicle width on the U.S. national highway network: 102 inches, or 8 ft 6 in. Boats on trailers wider than this need oversize permits.

Length overall (LOA)

The full length of the boat from the tip of the bow (including pulpits and anchor rollers) to the back of the stern, swim platform or outboard motor. Often longer than the length in the model name.

Lift-on/lift-off (LoLo)

Shipping a yacht by sea where it is lifted aboard a cargo or yacht-carrier ship by crane.

Loaded height

The height of the boat measured from the ground while it sits on the transport trailer. Many routes are limited to about 13 ft 6 in–14 ft because of bridges and overpasses.

M

MC number (operating authority)

The Motor Carrier number showing a company has FMCSA authority to operate as a for-hire interstate carrier or broker. Check that its status is "Authorized".

O

Oversize load

A load that exceeds legal width, height, length or weight limits. Oversize loads need permits from each state on the route, usually display "Oversize Load" banners and flags, and may face travel-time restrictions. See oversize permits.

Oversize permit

A permit issued by a state's transportation department allowing an oversize load to travel on specified routes and times. Single-trip permits for routine oversize loads often cost about $15–$100 per state. The transporter obtains them.

P

Pilot car (escort vehicle)

A vehicle that travels ahead of or behind an oversize load to warn traffic and help the driver. States require escorts above certain widths, lengths or heights; rules vary by state.

R

Route survey

A pre-trip check of a planned route for low bridges, tight turns and other obstacles, required by some states for very large loads.

S

Shrink-wrap

Plastic film heat-shrunk over a boat to protect it. Travel-rated shrink-wrap can protect a boat in transit; loose or storage wrap can tear at highway speed.

T

Transom saver

A brace between an outboard or sterndrive and the trailer that supports the engine and reduces stress on the transom during road travel.

Travel lift

A mobile boat hoist with slings, used by marinas and boatyards to lift boats out of and into the water. Haul-out fees are often charged per foot of length.

U

Unstepping (a mast)

Taking down a sailboat's mast. For road transport the mast is unstepped, secured on the boat or trailer, and stepped again at the destination, usually by a boatyard or rigger.

USDOT number

A unique identifier issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation to commercial carriers. You can look it up on the FMCSA SAFER system to check a company's registration and safety record.