When it comes to getting a boat from overseas (like form the USA for example), finding one and even buying it is just half of the story. The other half, which can be by far a lot more complicated, is to actually bring the boat to your country, which in the case of Australia demands a thorough knowledge of import regulations. And that without even considering the USA export process.
But once that has been dealt with, the choice remains to select a shipping method for your boat. Here are some of the most popular/convenient ones:
Roll On /Roll Off: The Roll On /Roll Off method is definitely the most recommended of the group since it causes minimal impact/damage to the boat at very reasonable costs. With this method, a boat is driven into the transport ship (in either a trailer or a cradle) where it is safely lashed to its deck. Then once the ship arrives to its destination, the boat is simply driven out of it.
This method avoids lifting the boat, as well as minimizing any possible movement while in transport, which reduces any damage that the boat might receive to almost zero. The cost however, depends on the size of the boat, so owners of bigger vessels will have to pay higher fees.
Enclosed Container: This is one of the most practical shipping methods. It involves using a standard container to fit the boat’s dimensions. The most common sizes for these cubic containers are 20, 40 and 45 feet. Arranging this method can be quite painless and efficient depending on the port of destination, although it presents one inconvenience: if a boat is larger than the set size of a container (even just slightly so), it will need to be put into a larger one, causing higher transportation costs.
Flat Rack: This method is used mostly by large boats and consists in placing the boat on a flat rack, which is then strapped and tied to the transport ship. As you might have guessed, this method demands the boat to be tightly wrapped in order to prevent damage from the weather and other elements.
Lift On/Lift Off: This is another popular and cost-effective method for boats that are too large. In this one, boats that are too big for the Roll On /Roll Off method are lifted using cranes controlled by loadmasters and placed on top of the transport vessel. This method however, can cause some damage to the boat depending on the number of times that it needs to be moved on and off the transport vessel.