Shiply: Simplifying Boat Transport in Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Shiply is here to eliminate the stress of boat transport by helping you discover an economical & dependable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform & 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 the details, & await the collection of your boat.
The Necessity of Boat Transportation
Whether you require the transportation of a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht, Shiply can assist you. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new boat & need it delivered? Or maybe you need to transport your boat to a location on land? It might be too large for you to move on your own? Regardless of the circumstance, Shiply can help you find a trustworthy & professional company to ship your boat at a fair price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure that you're in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & internationally are well-versed in working with boats, marinas, & ports, & should guide you through every aspect of the transportation process.
By listing your boat transportation needs on Shiply, our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with some essential information about the boat to be transported, & you will receive complimentary quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving several quotes, you'll be able to compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
The cost 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 journeys. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50 per mile, but as mentioned, this can fluctuate depending on the size of the boat. 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 on the road, whereas larger vessels like sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention & will likely be more expensive to transport. 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 costly & 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, as well as the pick-up & drop-off dates & locations. Once your listing is posted, you will start receiving complimentary quotes from various transport providers - some of whom may reach out to 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 where your boat needs to go. If your boat is required 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, you'll find that road transportation is likely the most suitable 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 port-to-port, then 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 that you verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers & crew hands, which you can view by visiting the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, then 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 that they provide (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your unique 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 intend to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might charge less, whereas smaller family-run transporters could offer you a more personalized service.
Readying Your Boat for Transport
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are several preparatory tasks to ensure that the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan as far in advance as possible to give yourself ample 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, make sure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends occurring during the journey.
Check the condition - Thoroughly inspect the interior & exterior of your vessel for any pre-existing damage. This way, you can determine if it suffers any during transit. You may want to take photographs of the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Make sure you remove anything valuable from your boat before it's transported, as these items will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, & the majority of 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 make sure that all exposed electronics are covered & battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - If they aren't travelling separately, make sure 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 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 directly.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, make sure 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 assistance 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 promptly.
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 selecting a transport provider for their own job, & it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Why People Frequently Move Boats to & from Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Aldershot, situated in Hampshire, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many individuals choose to transport their boats to & from Aldershot for various reasons. One of the primary reasons is the town's proximity to several waterways, including the Basingstoke Canal & the River Blackwater. These waterways provide excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, & other water activities.
Moreover, Aldershot is home to several marinas & boatyards that offer storage, maintenance, & repair services for boats of all sizes. These facilities attract boat owners from across the UK who are seeking a convenient & reliable place to keep their vessels.
Another reason people move their boats to & from Aldershot is for events & competitions. The town hosts several boating events throughout the year, including regattas & fishing tournaments. These events draw participants from all over the country who need to transport their boats to Aldershot to participate.
Overall, Aldershot's combination of waterways, boating facilities, & events makes it a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts, leading to a high demand for boat transport services to & from the town.