Economical & Dependable Boat Shipping in Dorset with Shiply
Shiply aims to alleviate the hassle of boat transportation by assisting you in locating a cost-effective, trustworthy service that suits your needs. Simply post a listing on our platform & relax as transport companies approach you with estimates to ship your boat. Once you discover a quote that appeals to you, contact the transporter, verify the details, & await the collection of your boat.
What Necessitates Boat Shipping?
Regardless of whether you require transportation for a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can assist. Did you recently acquire a new vessel & need it shipped? Or perhaps you need to transport your boat to an inland location? Maybe it's too sizable for you to move on your own? Whatever the circumstance, Shiply can help you find a reputable & professional company to transport your boat at a fair price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure you're in capable hands. Boat haulage firms in the UK & globally will be well-versed in dealing with boats, marinas, & ports, & 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 price estimates. You simply need to complete a form with some essential information about the boat to be shipped, & you will receive complimentary quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving multiple quotes, you can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
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 transport in the UK is around £1.50, 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 example, small boat shipping is straightforward as they can often be hauled by road, whereas larger sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention & will likely be more expensive to move. A narrowboat may necessitate specialized narrowboat movers due to its unique size. Whether the boat needs to be transported domestically within the UK or internationally will also influence the pricing, as international boat shipping will be significantly more costly & may require different companies than those in the UK that 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 some specifics 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 contact 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 must 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 likely find that road transportation is the most suitable option. If you're only moving 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, chart courses, & check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
After receiving some quotes, be sure to verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers & crew members, which you can view by visiting 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 & 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 rates, 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 that the shipping process goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan well in advance to allow 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, 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. You may want to photograph 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 & rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, & the majority of the gasoline drained to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent any potential leaks 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 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 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 removed 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, 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 with the transport provider to arrange the final details.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, ensure they are contacted & made aware 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 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 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 inspect your craft post-transit to ensure that it hasn't been damaged & ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be resolved quickly.
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 choosing a transport provider for their own job, & it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Why People Frequently Move Boats To & From Dorset, UK
Dorset, situated on the southern coast of England, is a favored destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. With its breathtaking coastline, charming harbors, & ideal sailing conditions, it's no surprise that many individuals opt to transport their boats to & from this region.
One of the primary reasons people move their boats to Dorset is for recreational purposes. The county boasts numerous marinas & yacht clubs, offering ample opportunities for sailing, fishing, & other water-based activities. The renowned Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides stunning views & unique geological features that can be best appreciated from the water.
Moreover, Dorset hosts several prestigious boating events, such as the Poole Harbour Boat Show & the Weymouth Regatta. These events attract boat owners from across the UK & beyond, who often require boat transport services to participate.
Another reason for boat transportation to & from Dorset is the purchase or sale of vessels. The county has a thriving marine industry, with many boat builders, brokers, & dealers located in the area. When individuals buy or sell boats, they often need to arrange for their transport to or from Dorset.
Lastly, some boat owners may need to move their vessels to or from Dorset for maintenance, repairs, or storage purposes. The county has several well-equipped boatyards & marine service centers that cater to the needs of boat owners, making it a convenient location for these activities.
In summary, Dorset's popularity as a boating destination, its marine industry, & its range of boating-related services make it a common point of origin or destination for boat transport in the UK.
