How Much to Charge to Haul a Boat
Boat transport is priced per loaded mile with a job minimum, and the rate steps up sharply once the boat is over-width and needs permits or escorts. Fuel surcharge, wait time, and the dead-head return leg are billed as separate accessorial lines rather than absorbed into the per-mile number.
The base: loaded miles plus a minimum
Set a per-loaded-mile rate and a job minimum. The minimum’s there to cover hookup, straps, and planning — none of that scales with distance, so it needs its own number.
What moves the rate up
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Beam over legal width | Permits, sometimes escorts |
| Height over legal | Route restrictions, more planning |
| Weight | Equipment class, fuel |
| Yard access | Difficult launch or lift adds time |
| Season | Peak spring/fall moves cost more |
Accessorials to bill separately
- Oversize permits — per state, per route
- Escort vehicles — where width requires them
- Fuel surcharge — its own line
- Wait time — beyond a stated free window at either end
- Dead-head / return leg
Deposit at booking
A cancelled haul is a dead day for you. Take a deposit when the date’s booked and grab the balance at delivery, before the straps come off.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a haul oversize?
Beam, mostly. Once you're over the legal width for a state you need permits and sometimes escorts, and both are route-specific costs that belong on the invoice as their own lines.
Should I quote round trip or loaded miles?
Quote loaded miles and add a dead-head line where the return can't be backfilled. It keeps your headline rate competitive while still covering the empty leg.
Do short hauls need a minimum?
Yes. Hooking up, strapping, and route planning cost the same whether the boat goes 15 miles or 150, and a per-mile rate alone makes short moves a loss.
How do I keep from chasing money after delivery?
Deposit at booking, balance by card at delivery before unstrapping. Once the boat is on their blocks you have no leverage and a long drive home.