Economical & Dependable Boat Transport Simplified
Shiply is here to simplify boat transport in Cheshire, UK. We'll assist you in discovering an inexpensive, reliable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform and relax as transport providers approach you with quotes to transport your boat. When you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm, and await the collection of your boat.
Reasons You May Require Boat Transportation
Whether you possess a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht that needs transporting, Shiply can assist. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new boat and require delivery? Or maybe you need to get your boat to a land-based destination? It could be that it's too large for you to transport yourself. Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a trustworthy and 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 and internationally are well-versed in working with boats, marinas, and ports, and should assist you with all aspects of the transportation process.
Obtain Free Quotes for Boat Transport in Cheshire
When you list your boat transportation on Shiply, 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'll 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 Boat Transport?
The cost of boat transport varies depending on several factors, but on average, you can expect to pay 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 this can vary based on the size of the boat.
The size of the boat being transported will significantly impact the cost. For example, 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 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 influence 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.
Reasons People Frequently Move Boats To & From Cheshire
Cheshire, UK is a sought-after destination for boat enthusiasts. With its scenic canals, rivers, and lakes, it's no surprise that many people choose to transport their boats to and from this stunning region. Whether it's for leisure, sport, or simply a change of scenery, moving a boat to or from Cheshire is a common occurrence.
The county is home to numerous marinas and boatyards, making it easy for boat owners to find a suitable place to moor their vessel. Moreover, Cheshire's central location within the UK makes it an ideal starting point for those looking to explore other parts of the country by water.
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 and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is complete, you'll begin receiving free quotes from various transport providers - some of which may contact you to better understand the required services so they can provide an accurate 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 specific 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 only choice.
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've 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 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.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they'll often have extensive experience.
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.
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 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 - Ensure you thoroughly check 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 traveling 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'll 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've accepted a quote on Shiply, you'll 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 they are contacted and 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 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 check 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.
