Discover Budget-Friendly & Dependable Boat Shipping with Shiply
Shiply eliminates the stress from boat transportation by assisting you in finding an affordable, trustworthy service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform & relax as transport companies approach you with quotes to ship your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the transporter, confirm the details, and await the collection of your boat.
The Necessity of Boat Shipping
Whether you require the transportation of a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can help. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new vessel & need it delivered? Maybe you need to transport your boat to a land-based location? Or it could be 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, & 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 quotes. You simply need to complete a form with basic 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 can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
The Expense of Boat Shipping
The cost of boat transportation 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 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 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 Locate a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to complete a brief form with details about your boat & the pick-up & drop-off dates & locations. Once your listing is live, 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 your boat's destination. 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, 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 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, look for RYA or MCA accredited crews.
Regardless of the type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience & professional insurance coverage they provide (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 daunting if you plan to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might offer lower prices, 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 transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan well in advance to allow sufficient time to prepare for the transport & find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in various ways, but regardless, ensure your boat is properly prepared 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. Consider taking photographs of 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 & garbage should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, & the majority of the gasoline drained to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent potential leakages during transport.
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 traveling 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 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 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.
Boat Shipping in West Bromwich, West Midlands, UK
West Bromwich, situated in the West Midlands, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners. Many people frequently move their boats to & from West Bromwich for various reasons, such as changing marinas, attending boat shows, or relocating to a new area. The town's proximity to several waterways, including the Birmingham Canal Navigations & the River Tame, makes it an ideal location for boat enthusiasts.
If you're seeking boat transport in West Bromwich, Shiply can assist you in finding reliable & affordable boat shipping services. Our network of transport providers includes experienced boat haulers who are familiar with the area & can safely transport your vessel to or from West Bromwich.
Finalizing Your Boat's Shipping
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 additional services you need assistance with, these should be specified at the beginning of the process when listing your required service on Shiply.
Regardless, 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 transportation job has been completed, please leave a review for the service you used on Shiply on their company profile. Providing 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.