Whether you are moving to a new lake, delivering a boat to a buyer or taking it south for the winter, the work you do before the truck arrives makes the trip smoother and protects your boat. Here is a practical checklist.

Know your measurements

Boat transport is quoted largely on size, so have these ready:

• Overall length, including any swim platform and outboard motor.
• Beam, the width at the widest point.
• Height, from the bottom of the keel to the highest fixed point, and how high it will sit on a trailer.
• Weight, including engines.
• Whether the boat will travel on its own trailer or needs to be carried on the carrier's equipment.

Width matters most for permits. A beam wider than 8.5 feet usually makes the load oversize, which means state permits, and very wide boats may need escort vehicles.

Prepare the boat

• Clean, drain and dry it. A clean hull makes existing marks easy to see at inspection, and many states check boats for invasive aquatic species, so drain bilges, live wells and water tanks.
• Keep fuel low, around a quarter tank or less.
• Disconnect the batteries and make sure they are secure.
• Remove or secure loose items such as electronics, cushions, anchors and fishing gear.
• Lower or remove antennas, outriggers, biminis and anything else that adds height or can catch the wind.
• Close and latch hatches, windows and doors.
• Think about shrink-wrap for long trips or valuable finishes. Avoid loose covers, which flap at highway speed and can mark the gelcoat.
• Take out personal belongings. They are generally not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance.

If it travels on its own trailer

• Check the tires, including tread, pressure and the spare.
• Check the wheel bearings and lights.
• Make sure the boat is properly strapped down and the winch strap or chain is in good condition.
• Keep the trailer registration with the boat.

At pickup and delivery

As with any shipment, inspect the boat with the driver, make sure its condition is recorded on the Bill of Lading, and take your own photos. Check everything again at delivery before you sign.

Request a boat transport quote. The form asks for the boat type, dimensions and whether it is on a trailer.