Sooner or later, many owners and buyers face the question of how to move a yacht. A buyer in Europe or Australia may find the right boat in Fort Lauderdale. An owner may want to cruise the Mediterranean or the Pacific Northwest without a long ocean passage. Others simply need to move a boat from a lake to the coast, or north for the summer.
Transporting yachts is a well-established business, and there are three main ways to do it: by ship, by road and on the yacht’s own bottom with a professional delivery crew. Each suits different yachts, distances and budgets, and sometimes the best answer combines two of them.
This guide explains each method of yacht transport, what it typically costs, how to prepare the yacht and what to consider for insurance and customs. If you are buying a yacht in another region to bring home, our guides to what to look for when buying a used boat and tips for used yacht buyers explain the purchase itself.
Why Buyers and Owners Transport Yachts
South Florida has one of the deepest markets for used yachts in the world, and it regularly attracts buyers from Europe, Australia, Canada, and Central and South America. When exchange rates favor the buyer, a yacht bought in the United States and shipped home can represent good value even after transport costs.
Owners also ship yachts to reach cruising grounds that are difficult to get to under their own power, whether because of range, weather or time. Transport avoids the wear and tear of a long passage and the hours it would add to the engines and systems, and the yacht arrives ready to use, apart from a good clean.
Yacht Shipping by Ocean Carrier
There is a ship for almost every major yachting destination. Ocean transport falls into a few categories.
Float-On, Float-Off
Semi-submersible yacht carriers partly flood their cargo deck so that yachts can drive aboard. Divers position supports under each hull, and the ship then pumps out and rises, leaving the yachts secured on deck. At the destination, the process runs in reverse. Specialist carriers such as DYT run scheduled float-on, float-off services on popular routes, including South Florida, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Pacific coast of North and Central America and the South Pacific.
Lift-On, Lift-Off
On lift-on, lift-off services, cranes lift the yacht aboard a cargo ship, where it travels in a custom cradle as deck cargo. Specialist carriers such as Sevenstar offer this service worldwide. It suits a wide range of sizes, including yachts too large or too tall for other methods.
Roll-On, Roll-Off and Containers
Smaller boats on trailers or cradles can travel on roll-on, roll-off vessels, which carry cargo through large doors on ramps, provided the boat fits the height limit. The smallest boats can go inside a shipping container.
Why Consider Shipping, Even Over Shorter Distances
I advise clients to consider shipping even for trips of around 1,000 miles, particularly when the route runs against the prevailing wind. A good example is the run from South Florida to the Virgin Islands, which can be a long, wet beat into the trade winds. The return trip, with the wind behind you, is far easier.
A yacht traveling by ship carries a separate cargo insurance policy, and many are shrink-wrapped for protection on longer voyages.
Boat Transport by Road
Trucking is an efficient way to move smaller yachts within North America. In most US states, a load wider than 8 feet 6 inches needs an oversize permit, and wider loads may require escort vehicles and restricted travel times. Height limits are commonly around 13 feet 6 inches, though they vary by state and route.
Many express cruisers are designed so they can be trucked within practical limits, with a beam of up to about 14 feet. Some sedan and flybridge motor yachts can have the flybridge or arch removed, carried on the same trailer and reinstalled at the destination. Permitting is particularly complicated, and can be costly, in parts of the Northeast.
Road transport is not necessarily cheaper than running the yacht, but it saves wear and tear, and it is often the only practical option for boats on inland lakes. Most yachts are shrink-wrapped for the trip. Sometimes a combination works best, such as trucking a lake-bound yacht to a navigable waterway where a delivery crew takes over.
Delivery on Its Own Bottom
Professional delivery captains and crews move yachts between ports every day. Many are experienced freelance operators. Choose a captain with experience of both the route and your type of yacht, and allow time for weather, which often interrupts a delivery. A good captain will wait for conditions rather than push through them.
The yacht should be in top condition before it leaves. Spare propellers, filters and impellers aboard can prevent long delays if something goes wrong. Bear in mind that a delivery adds engine hours, fuel, crew costs, dockage and wear, which can affect the yacht’s maintenance schedule and value. Our guides to yacht fuel consumption and diesel engine maintenance advice help with planning. For a captain’s view of one of the most popular delivery routes in the country, see our guide to yacht transporting along the US East Coast.
Comparing Yacht Transport Methods
| Method | Best suited to | Main advantages | Main trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Float-on, float-off ship | Mid-size and large yachts on scheduled routes | No lifting; no engine hours | Fixed routes and schedules |
| Lift-on, lift-off ship | Most sizes, worldwide | Wide choice of routes and ports | Lifting and cradle costs; schedules can change |
| Roll-on, roll-off or container | Smaller boats on trailers or cradles | Often the lowest shipping cost | Strict height and size limits |
| Road transport | Yachts up to about 14 feet beam | Door to door; reaches inland waters | Permits, escorts and route limits |
| Delivery crew | Coastal and regional moves | Flexible timing; owner can join | Engine hours, wear and weather risk |
How Much Does Yacht Transport Cost?
There is no simple rate per mile. Cost depends on the yacht’s length, beam, height and weight, the method, the route, the season and the space available on the ship. As an indication, one carrier’s published guidance puts roll-on, roll-off shipping from Florida to Europe at roughly $300 per foot, and lift-on, lift-off at up to around $1,000 per foot. Cradles, port fees, loading, insurance and customs clearance can add significantly to that.
Routes to Australia and the South Pacific are longer and served less often, so they tend to cost more and need more notice. Spring and autumn, when yachts move between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, are the busiest seasons. Book well in advance, as heavy-lift and semi-submersible services on busy routes can need two to three months’ notice. Always obtain written quotes from more than one reputable provider, and check exactly what each includes.
Buying in Florida and Shipping Home?
AK Yachts regularly helps international buyers find the right yacht in South Florida and arrange its transport. Andy Kniffin, CPYB, can coordinate carriers and often negotiate more favorable terms on your behalf. View our yachts for sale or tell Andy what you are looking for.
Preparing a Yacht for Transport
Preparation depends on the method, but the essentials are similar. A detailed guide to yacht transport covers method-specific steps, and the main points are these:
- Document the condition. Photograph and video the yacht inside and out before loading, and consider a pre-transport survey. Our guide to the yacht survey explains what it covers.
- Measure accurately. Confirm length, beam, height and weight with the transporter, ideally with a surveyor’s help.
- Secure everything. Stow or remove loose items and personal belongings, and close and secure hatches, windows and doors.
- Reduce fluids. Drain water tanks and keep fuel to the level the carrier requires.
- Protect systems. Disconnect and insulate batteries, protect sensitive electronics and, where needed, winterize systems.
- Remove projections for road transport. Antennas, radar arches, outriggers and sometimes the flybridge may need to come off.
- Clean the hull. A clean bottom helps prevent the spread of marine growth between regions and is often required.
- For a delivery crew, leave clear notes on systems, keys, seacocks and breakers, and make sure all safety equipment is current.
Insurance, Customs and Paperwork
Road and sea carriers carry their own cargo or goods-in-transit insurance, but owners should keep their own hull policy in place and confirm with their insurer that it covers loading, transit and unloading, or arrange specific transport cover. Check for gaps where more than one method is used, a point a practical guide to moving a yacht also makes. For a crewed delivery, make sure the policy covers the captain and crew.
International moves also bring customs requirements at both ends. Many countries charge import duty and tax on yachts brought in for use by residents. The European Union, for example, allows non-EU residents to keep a yacht in EU waters under temporary admission for up to 18 months without paying VAT, while EU residents generally pay VAT on import. Australia and other countries have their own rules on duty and tax. Our guide to yacht registration internationally explains how flag and duty status work, and a licensed customs broker should confirm the requirements for any specific move.
Cruise First, Ship Later
Many international buyers choose to enjoy their new yacht in Florida before shipping it home, cruising the Bahamas and the Florida Keys for a season. Our guide to yachting destinations from South Florida covers some favorites. AK Yachts can help these owners arrange dockage, maintenance and captain services in South Florida until the yacht is ready to ship.
Conclusion
Transporting yachts is routine for experienced carriers, captains and haulers. Ships suit long ocean crossings and upwind routes, road transport suits smaller yachts and inland moves, and a professional delivery crew suits coastal trips when time allows. The right choice depends on the yacht, the route, the schedule and the budget.
Plan early, compare quotes carefully, document the yacht’s condition, confirm your insurance and take customs advice for any international move.
Selling to an International Buyer?
Buyers from Europe, Australia and the Americas make up a large part of the South Florida market. Andy Kniffin, CPYB, markets yachts to this global audience and helps buyers plan transport after the sale. Learn how we help owners sell your yacht.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to transport a yacht?
It depends on the yacht and the trip. Ocean shipping suits long or upwind passages, road transport suits smaller yachts and inland destinations, and a delivery crew suits coastal moves when engine hours and weather are acceptable.
How much does it cost to ship a yacht from Florida to Europe?
It varies with size, method and season. As a rough guide, one carrier quotes around $300 per foot for roll-on, roll-off and up to about $1,000 per foot for lift-on, lift-off, before cradles, port fees, insurance and customs. Always obtain current written quotes.
How much does it cost to ship a boat to Australia?
Routes to Australia are longer and served less often than transatlantic routes, so costs are generally higher and more notice is needed. Import duty and tax also apply for local use. Get quotes from specialist carriers and advice from an Australian customs broker.
What size boat can be transported by road?
Boats up to 8 feet 6 inches wide can usually travel without an oversize permit in most US states. Wider loads, commonly up to about 14 feet, can travel with permits and, in some cases, escort vehicles. Height and route restrictions also apply.
What is a float-on, float-off yacht transport ship?
A semi-submersible vessel that partly floods its deck so yachts can drive aboard. Divers position supports under the hulls, and the ship rises to carry them as deck cargo.
Do I need insurance to ship my yacht?
Yes. Carriers have their own cargo insurance, but you should keep your own hull policy in force and confirm it covers loading, transit and unloading, or buy specific transport cover.
How far in advance should I book yacht transport?
Road transport can often be arranged within a few weeks. Ocean shipping on popular routes, especially in spring and autumn, can need two to three months’ notice.
Is it cheaper to deliver a yacht by sea or ship it?
For shorter coastal moves, a delivery crew is often cheaper. For long passages, the cost of crew, fuel, dockage and added engine hours can make shipping competitive, especially when the route is upwind.
This article provides general information only. Transport costs, schedules, permit rules and customs requirements change and depend on each yacht and route. Obtain written quotes and take advice from a licensed customs broker or maritime attorney for international moves.
