The Shipping Challenges of Shipping a Kayak

In this day and age of online buying, you can buy just about everything off the internet. But sometimes getting it to your door can be a challenge. That is certainly the case with those who are shipping kayaks.

While there are so many benefits of buying online (like comparing, customizing, and cutting out the middleman), shipping remains a serious hurdle. As you might already know from research or experience, kayaks must be handled carefully. Unfortunately, these little crafts are prone to warping and denting if not stored correctly. 

Challenges of Shipping a Kayak

Size

First, kayaks are large, unwieldy objects. Unless you choose an inflatable or foldable option, hard plastic kayaks take up a lot of space. They need large trucks and team lifting. 

Specialized care

Resting the hull of your kayak on a hard surface can, unfortunately, cause damage to your kayak. Hulls can warp, bend, and dent when in contact with another surface. That is why kayaks are often stored cockpit side down. Kayaks must be handled carefully to avoid damage. They cannot be forklifted or palletized. And it is best if they are lifted by a team of at least two people. 

Cost & Time

The size and handling needs of a kayak make shipping costs more expensive than other items. You can’t just order one up and expect it on the next Amazon truck.  It takes more time and money to ship one. 

Struggles with Kayak Shippers

Online kayak retailers have a few choices when trying to ship their kayaks.

Amazon and LTL (Less than Truckload) Shippers

Pros

• Lower cost (for the company)
• May arrive faster

Cons

• Handled roughly 
• Arrived with gouges and scratches
• Delivered and left

White Glove Kayak Shippers

• More expensive (for the company)
• Takes time

Notes about Kayaking Shipping from BKC

Brooklyn Kayak Company has chosen to use white glove services to deliver kayaks to your door. This means that it might take a bit longer to get your kayak, but it will arrive undamaged. Although it costs more for BKC, they are happy to offer free shipping to offset the wait time.

White Glove service means that kayaks aren’t palletized or forklifted, they are delivered right into your hands, by appointment. So, you have to be available to take delivery of your kayak. That can be arranged with the shipping company once the kayak has left BKC and is on its way to you. Most kayaks will ship from our warehouse and arrive to you within 1-2 weeks.

Why does it take more time? 

Sometimes it takes more time depending on where we are shipping the kayak. If you live in a rural area, it might take more time because there isn’t as much freight shipping in that direction and shippers need to wait for more products.

Your kayak may sit at a hub waiting for other kayaks going in that direction. It also takes more manpower to send a two-man team so there aren’t as many trucks out. There may be longer transit times as you wait for a full team to drop your kayak.

Be prepared to receive your kayak:

• Answer calls and emails from the shipping company
• Set a time/date for delivery
• Be available to receive the delivery
• Unwrap and inspect the kayak before signing off on delivery. 
• If there is major damage, take pictures, refuse delivery, and contact BKC immediately. If damage is minor or cosmetic, accept delivery and email BKC as soon as possible to resolve the issue.

Shipping your kayak to you can be challenging, but the time it takes to do it right is invaluable. While it can be hard to wait, getting your kayak delivered damage-free is worth it.