Why You Might Require Boat Transportation Services
Whether you need to transport a yacht, sailboat, narrowboat, or small craft, Shiply can assist you. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new vessel and require delivery? Maybe you need to get your boat to a specific location on land? It could be that it's too large for you to transport on your own. Regardless of the circumstance, Shiply can aid you in finding a professional and dependable company to ship your boat at a fair price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure your vessel is in capable hands. Boat haulage companies, both in the UK and internationally, are well-versed in working with marinas, ports, and boats, and should be able to guide you through all aspects of the transportation process.
By listing your boat transportation needs on Shiply, our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. Simply fill out a form with basic information about the boat you need transported, and you'll receive free quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving several quotes, you can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, and prices.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Boat Transport
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 and between £450 and £750 for longer journeys. In the UK, the average cost per mile for standard boat transport is around £1.50, but 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 relatively straightforward as they can often be hauled by road, whereas larger vessels like sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention and likely cost more 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 expensive and may require different companies than those in the UK who specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, simply fill out a brief form with details about your boat, including pick-up and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is complete, you'll start receiving free quotes from various transport providers, some of whom may reach out to you for more information about the required services to provide an accurate quote for the job.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, and the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If you require your boat to be transported in a specific way, please specify this in 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 only 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, and check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
After receiving quotes, be sure to verify the credentials and feedback of any skippers and crew hands by viewing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're transporting a sailboat, look for crews with RYA or MCA accreditation.
Regardless of the type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience and professional insurance coverage offered by the provider (do not accept personal insurance) to make the most informed decision for your specific situation.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they often have extensive experience in this area.
Finding the right boat transport service can be overwhelming if you plan to compare all the prices and credentials. Larger companies might offer lower prices, while smaller, family-run transporters could provide a more personalized service.
Neath, West Glamorgan, UK, and Boat Transport
Neath, situated in West Glamorgan, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners and enthusiasts. Many individuals frequently move boats to and from Neath for various reasons, such as acquiring a new vessel, attending boating events, or relocating their craft. Neath's proximity to the coast and its well-equipped marinas make it an ideal location for boat transport services. Companies specializing in boat transport in Neath are experienced in handling the unique challenges associated with moving boats in this area, ensuring that your vessel arrives safely and on time.
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. Plan as far ahead as possible to give yourself ample time to prepare for the transport and to find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in several different ways, but regardless of the method, 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 and exterior of your vessel for any pre-existing damage. This way, you can determine if it sustains any damage during transit. Consider taking photographs of the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Take anything valuable off your boat before it's transported, as these items will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, and most of the fuel - Pump out wastewater and other liquids. Empty any freshwater tanks and rubbish, disconnect fuel tanks, and remove the majority of the gasoline to make the boat lighter to deliver and prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery and tidy cables - This precaution 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. Ensure that all exposed electronics are covered and battery cables are tucked away.
Secure items - If they aren't traveling separately, stow all accessories and life jackets in lockers. Secure all doors and compartments in the galley and washrooms. Also, ensure 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). Only remove pulpits, stanchions, and lifelines 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, 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 directly with the transport provider to finalize any details.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, make sure to contact them and make them 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 unloading or docking and may help you with other aspects of maintenance and checks (depending on what you agreed upon). If there are any other services you need help with, specify these at the beginning of the process when listing your required service on Shiply.
In any case, it's important to inspect your craft post-transit to ensure that it hasn't been damaged and ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be resolved quickly.
Once your boat is safely docked or secured, 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.