Shiply is Here to Alleviate the Burden of Boat Transport
Shiply is present to alleviate the burden of boat transportation by assisting you in discovering an economical and dependable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our website and relax as transport providers approach you with quotes to relocate your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm, and await the collection of your boat.
What is the Purpose of Boat Transportation?
Whether you require the transport of a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht, Shiply can assist. Did you recently purchase a new boat that needs to be delivered? Or perhaps you need to get your boat to a destination on land? Maybe it's too sizable for you to transport on your own? Regardless of the reason, Shiply can aid you in finding a reliable and professional company for shipping your boat at the appropriate price. Opting for a specialist boat hauler will ensure you're in safe hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK and internationally will be familiar with the intricacies of working with boats, marinas, and ports and should assist you with all aspects of the transportation process.
Listing your boat transportation on Shiply and our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with some basic information about your boat to be transported, and you will receive free quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. Once you've received several quotes, you'll be able to compare companies based on their credentials, customer feedback, and costs.
What is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
The expense of boat transport will vary based on several factors, but as an average cost, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances and between £450 and £750 for longer journeys. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport is around £1.50 per mile in the UK, but as mentioned, this can vary depending on the size of the boat. The dimensions of the boat being moved will significantly impact the cost. For instance, small boat transport is straightforward as they can often be hauled on the road, whereas something like a larger sailboat or narrowboat will require special attention and will likely cost more to transport. A narrowboat may require specialist narrowboat movers due to their unique size. Whether the boat needs to be transported within the UK or internationally will also play a role in the pricing, as international boat transport will cost significantly more and 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 some details about your boat and the pick-up and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is complete, you will start receiving free quotes from various transport providers - some of which may reach out to you to better understand the required services so they can know how best to quote for the work.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, and the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If your boat is required to be transported in a particular way, please specify this on your Shiply listing.
By road – If your vessel needs to be hauled within the same country, you'll find that road transportation is likely the best option. If you're moving parts of a boat only or a non-starting boat, transportation by road is your sole option.
By sea or river – If your craft needs to be sailed port-to-port, then you can hire a crew to do this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, and check shipping forecasts for you.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure you check the credentials and feedback of any skippers and crew hands, which you can see by viewing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, then RYA or MCA accredited crews are the qualifications to look out for.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience and professional insurance cover that they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your individual situation.
Do not hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they will often have a high level of expertise.
Finding the right boat transport service can be overwhelming if you intend to compare all the prices and credentials. Larger companies might charge less, whereas smaller family-run transporters could offer you a more personalized service.
Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK & Boat Transport
Wigan, situated in Greater Manchester, UK, is a popular destination for boat transport. Many individuals frequently move boats to and from Wigan for various reasons. Wigan is located on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which provides a convenient waterway for transporting boats. The canal connects Wigan to major cities like Liverpool and Leeds, making it an ideal location for boat owners who want to explore different parts of the country.
Additionally, Wigan has several marinas and boatyards that offer storage, maintenance, and repair services for boats. These facilities attract boat owners who need a place to keep their vessels when not in use or require professional assistance with upkeep. The presence of these marinas and boatyards also contributes to the demand for boat transport services in Wigan.
Moreover, Wigan's proximity to other popular boating destinations in the North West of England, such as the Lake District and the Ribble Link, makes it a convenient starting point or stopover for boat journeys. Many boat owners transport their vessels to Wigan before embarking on trips to these nearby attractions.
The combination of Wigan's strategic location on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, its well-equipped marinas and boatyards, and its proximity to other boating hotspots makes it a hub for boat transport in the region. Whether you're a local boat owner or someone looking to explore the waterways of North West England, Wigan is an excellent place to start or end your boat transport journey.
Preparing Your Boat For Transport
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are a number of preparatory tasks to ensure that the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan as far ahead as possible to give yourself enough time to prepare for the transport and to enable you to find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in several different ways, but regardless, make sure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends occurring during the journey.
Check the condition - Make sure you thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior of your vessel for any previous damage. This way, you can see if it suffers any during transit. You may want to take photographs of the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Make sure you take anything valuable off your boat before it's transported, as these will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, and the majority of fuel - Pump out wastewater and other liquids. Any freshwater tanks and rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, and the majority of the gasoline emptied to make the boat lighter to deliver and prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery and tidy cables - A precaution that will help avoid draining the battery and 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 make sure that all exposed electronics are covered and battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - If they aren't travelling separately, make sure all accessories and life jackets are stowed away in lockers. Secure all doors and compartments in the galley and 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 and rigging etc. from the mast is important (also provide padding for points at which the mast will be tied down). Pulpits, stanchions, and lifelines should only be taken off if they will make the boat too large to transport easily.
You can also check with your boatyard for any other precautions that they might think 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. Once you have accepted a quote on Shiply, you will be able to communicate with the transport provider and inform them of any changes or specific requirements.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, make sure they are contacted and made aware so they can plan accordingly.
Completing 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 and may help you with other parts of maintenance and checks (depending on what you agreed). 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 and ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be sorted out quickly.
Once your boat is safely docked or secured, you can remove the tape and other securing materials, refill water tanks, reattach batteries and 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 and it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.