Budget-Friendly & Dependable Boat Shipping with Shiply
Shiply is here to alleviate the anxiety of boat shipping by helping you discover an economical, trustworthy service that suits your needs. Simply post a listing on our platform & relax as shipping providers approach you with estimates to transport your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the transporter, verify the details, & await the collection of your boat.
What Are the Reasons for Requiring Boat Shipping?
Whether you need to ship a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can assist you. Did you recently purchase a new boat & require delivery? Or perhaps you need to get your boat to an inland destination? Maybe it's too sizable for you to transport on your own? Regardless of the circumstance, Shiply can help you find 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, & ports, & should guide you through all aspects of the shipping process.
By listing your boat shipping needs on Shiply, our network of transport providers will provide you with price estimates. You simply need to complete a form with basic information about the boat to be shipped, & 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 Boat Shipping?
The expense of boat shipping 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 shipping is around £1.50 per mile in the UK, 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 shipping is straightforward as they can often be hauled by road, whereas larger sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention & will likely cost more to ship. A narrowboat may necessitate specialized narrowboat movers due to its unique size. Whether the boat needs to be shipped within the UK or internationally will also influence the pricing, as international boat shipping will be significantly more expensive & may require different companies than those in the UK that specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Find a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to fill out a brief form with details about your boat, pick-up & drop-off dates, & locations. Once your listing is complete, 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 shipping, & the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If your boat requires transportation in a specific manner, please specify this in 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 only parts of a boat or a non-operational 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, plan routes, & check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure you verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers & crew members, which you can view by accessing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're transporting 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 shipping process, as they will often have extensive experience.
Finding the right boat shipping service can be daunting if you intend 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 Shipping
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are several preparatory tasks to ensure the shipping process goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan well in advance to give yourself ample time to prepare for the transport & to enable you to find a suitable shipping 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 damage 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 shipped, 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 & garbage should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, & the majority of the gasoline drained to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent any potential leaks during shipping.
Disconnect battery & tidy cables - A precautionary measure that will help avoid draining the battery & any electrical shortages. 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 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 essential (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 consult with your boatyard for any other precautions they might consider important for safe shipping. If your boat is going to be sailed to its destination, make sure you arrange with the captain what preparations need to be made before 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 directly with the transport provider.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, ensure they are contacted & informed so they can plan accordingly.
Finalizing Your Boat's Shipping
When your vessel safely reaches its destination on the delivery date, your boat transporter should assist you with 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 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 for use again.
When you're satisfied that the shipping 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.
Boat Shipping in Bridgwater, Somerset, UK
Bridgwater, situated in Somerset, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many people frequently move their boats to & from Bridgwater for various reasons, such as participating in boating events, seeking maintenance or repairs, or simply enjoying the picturesque waterways in the area. Bridgwater's strategic location along the River Parrett & its proximity to the Bristol Channel make it an ideal hub for boat shipping Bridgwater services. Whether you need to ship your boat to or from Bridgwater, Shiply can connect you with reliable & experienced Bridgwater boat shipping providers who can ensure the safe & timely delivery of your vessel.