Discover Budget-Friendly & Dependable Boat Transport with Shiply
Shiply eliminates the stress from boat transportation by assisting you in locating an affordable, trustworthy service that meets your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform & relax as transport companies approach you with offers to transport your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the transporter, confirm the details, and await the collection of your boat.
What Are the Reasons for Requiring Boat Transport?
Whether you require the transportation of a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can help. Did you recently acquire a new boat that needs delivery? Or perhaps you need to transport your boat to a land-based destination? Maybe it's too sizable for you to move on your own? Regardless of the circumstance, Shiply can assist you in finding a dependable & professional company to ship your boat at a fair price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure you're in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & globally will be well-versed in working with boats, marinas, and ports, and should guide you through all aspects of the transportation process.
By listing your boat transportation needs on Shiply, our network of transport providers will offer you price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with basic information about the boat to be transported, and you will receive complimentary quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving several quotes, you can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
The expense of boat transport will vary based on several factors, but on average, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances & between £450 & £750 for longer trips. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50, but as mentioned, this can fluctuate depending on the boat's size. The dimensions of the boat being transported will significantly impact the cost. For instance, small boat transport is straightforward as they can often be hauled by road, whereas larger sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention & will likely have a higher transportation cost. A narrowboat may necessitate specialized narrowboat movers due to its unique size. Whether the boat needs to be transported within the UK or internationally will also influence the pricing, as international boat transport will be significantly more expensive & may require different companies than those in the UK who specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Find a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to complete a brief form with details about your boat, pick-up and drop-off dates, & locations. Once your listing is live, you will start receiving complimentary quotes from various transport providers - some of whom may contact you to better understand the required services so they can provide an accurate quote for the job.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, & the method you choose will depend on your boat's destination. If your boat needs to be transported in a specific way, please indicate this on your Shiply listing.
By road – If your vessel needs to be hauled within the same country, road transportation is likely the best option. If you're moving only parts of a boat or a non-starting boat, transportation by road is your sole choice.
By sea or river – If your craft needs to be sailed from port to port, you can hire a crew to accomplish this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, & check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure you verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers & crew hands, which you can view by accessing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, RYA or MCA accredited crews are the qualifications to seek out.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience & professional insurance coverage they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your specific situation.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they will often have extensive experience.
Finding the right boat transport service can be overwhelming if you plan to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might charge less, while smaller family-run transporters could provide a more personalized service.
Readying Your Boat for Transport
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are several preparatory tasks to ensure the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan as far in advance as possible to allow yourself enough time to prepare for the transport & to enable you to find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in various ways, but regardless, ensure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends during the journey.
Inspect the condition - Thoroughly examine the interior & exterior of your vessel for any pre-existing damage. This way, you can determine if it sustains any during transit. You may want to photograph the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Ensure you remove anything valuable from your boat before it's transported, as these items will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, & most of the fuel - Pump out wastewater & other liquids. Any freshwater tanks & rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, & the majority of the gasoline drained to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery & tidy cables - A precaution that will help avoid draining the battery & any shortages in electronics. Despite being a waterborne vehicle, your boat might be exposed to different weather conditions when it travels on a trailer. So ensure that all exposed electronics are covered & battery cables are tucked away.
Secure items - If they aren't traveling separately, ensure all accessories & life jackets are stowed away in lockers. Secure all doors & compartments in the galley & washrooms. Also, make sure that the canopy is extra secure, as it might not be built to travel at the same speeds as a trailer.
For sailboats - Removing all winches & rigging etc. from the mast is important (also provide padding for points at which the mast will be tied down). Pulpits, stanchions, & lifelines should only be removed if they will make the boat too large to transport easily.
You can also check with your boatyard for any other precautions they might consider important for safe transport. If your boat is going to be sailed to its destination, make sure you arrange with the captain what preparations need to be made prior to the handover.
Once your boat is ready, all you need to do is wait for the transporter to arrive. After accepting a quote on Shiply, you will be able to communicate with the transport provider directly.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, ensure they are contacted & made aware so they can plan accordingly.
Finalizing Your Boat's Transportation
When your vessel safely reaches its destination on the delivery date, your boat transporter should assist you with the unloading or docking & may help you with other aspects of maintenance & checks (depending on what you agreed upon). If there are any other services you need help with, these should be specified at the beginning of the process when listing your required service on Shiply.
Either way, it's important that you inspect your craft post-transit to ensure that it hasn't been damaged & ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be resolved quickly.
Once your boat is safely docked or secured, you can remove the tape & other securing materials, refill water tanks, reattach batteries & motors, or re-rig your sailboat so it's ready to be used again.
When you're satisfied that the transportation job has been completed, please leave a review for the service you used on Shiply on their company profile. Leaving feedback is extremely helpful to us as it assists other users when choosing a transport provider for their own job, & it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Boat Transport in Reading, Berkshire, UK
Reading, situated in Berkshire, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many people frequently move their boats to & from Reading for various reasons, such as participating in boating events, seeking maintenance or repairs, or simply enjoying the picturesque waterways in the area. With its convenient location along the River Thames & close proximity to other major cities like London, Reading is an ideal hub for boat transport services.
When searching for "boat transport reading" or "reading boat transport," Shiply can connect you with reliable & experienced transport providers who specialize in moving boats to & from the Reading area. Whether you need to transport a small boat, yacht, or narrowboat, our network of professionals can ensure that your vessel reaches its destination safely & efficiently.
By using Shiply's platform, you can easily compare quotes from multiple boat transport companies serving the Reading area, allowing you to find the best service at a competitive price. Our user-friendly system & dedicated support team make the process of arranging boat transportation in Reading, Berkshire, UK, a breeze, giving you peace of mind & more time to enjoy your boating adventures.
